Rabbi Ryan E. Daniels

Growing up in a big city like New York meant that Rabbi Ryan Daniels encountered people who had it all and people who were in great need. It was the neediest people who made a tremendous impact on his career and life. Rabbi Daniels is passionate about social justice issues and has worked tirelessly to combat hunger and homelessness which he saw first-hand in New York. As a rabbi, he encourages every person to become engaged in their community and do things to make the world a better place.
 
Rabbi Daniels encourages connections and invites you to schedule a time to meet and chat about how NSCI can be meaningful to you and your family. You can find him in the Boehm Room teaching life lessons to our young adults, downtown at NSCI events for our 20-and 30-year-old crowd, or checking baseball scores on his iPhone.

People who become acquainted with Rabbi Daniels quickly see how he is more than empathetic. He is a skilled listener. He has served as an addiction counselor and a hospital chaplain and, thanks to these important roles, he has come to truly know that individual relationships coupled with connection to larger community, fosters close ties that support individuals. Spending time with Rabbi Daniels is also a pleasure as he loves to visit quietly with people over a cup of coffee or even an ice cream cone. This time together allows Rabbi Daniels to get to know each person and deepen meaningful connections within the larger community.
 
Rabbi Daniels is also a champion of the power of summer camp. A 14-year alumnus of URJ Eisner Camp, he began as a camper in 1998 and advanced through the years to become a counselor. Camp can unlock so much in young people:  a love of adventure, a sense of community, a chance to discover new skills and activities and can even help shape beliefs and one’s personal identity. Spend a little time with Rabbi Daniels and chat about the magnificent impact camp can have on a young person as they are growing up. 
 
Prior to joining NSCI Rabbi Daniels served as the co-coordinator of the Hebrew Union College (HUC)–Jewish Institute of Religion Soup Kitchen in Manhattan. This role even related to his masters’ thesis, which focused on the concept of a soup kitchen as a response to civic and religious obligation. He received his rabbinic ordination in 2015 from HUC.

Beyond his rabbinic role and responsibilities, Rabbi Daniels loves to spend time with his wife, Rabbi Carlie Daniels, and their daughter, Amalia, and is a huge fan of the Texas Rangers baseball team.