Bristol & Western

Rabbi Alex & Ahuva
Tsykin

Chaplaincy Couple

We are passionate about helping people find their place within the wide expanse of Judaism through meaningful connections and active engagement. Campus is a time when people are uniquely open to exploring their identity and beliefs and it has been our mission on campus to create a wide range of opportunities for people to encounter their Judaism and be empowered in it.

Rabbi Alex & Ahuva Tsykin

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07824807462

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Alex and Ahuva joined Chaplaincy in August 2017 and are the first couple to work with students in the Bristol and Western region. Alex is originally from Melbourne, Australia and Ahuva comes from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. They’ve got four young kids – Yonatan Hillel, Rachel Aliza, Aharon Yehuda and Daniel Alexander – who are growing up with English accents!

Regional Amenities

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Where are you from?

Alex: Melbourne, Australia

Ahuva: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

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Why chaplaincy?

We are passionate about helping people find their place within the wide expanse of Judaism through connections, engagement, and access to high-level information. It’s our goal to create a wide range of opportunities for students to encounter their Judaism and feel empowered in it.

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How can you help students?

We provide a warm and welcoming Jewish environment, enriching Jewish experiences and opportunities, and an elevated level of Jewish discourse.

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What do you enjoy doing most with students?

Alex: Learning Torah and having a beer, Purim megillah reading and sandwich packing, learning evenings. One of my favourites was on refugees in Jewish sources.

Ahuva: Shabbat meals and musical Havdalah. I also love hearing the Jewish questions students have never felt comfortable asking.

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What do you want students to take away from their Jewish experience at uni?

That being Jewish is important and something to be proud of; an increased awareness, knowledge, and ownership of their Jewish identity in every aspect of their lives.

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Who or what has influenced your work?

Alex: My rabbi Yosef Blau related to me that growth is personal and should never become a burden on others. This has tremendously shaped my personal life and my approach to rabbinics.

Ahuva: I am who I am because of my experiences in university, particularly at Columbia. Having amazing Jewish resources and support was invaluable to my Jewish journey.

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