Rabbi Shmuli Novack is the Senior Rabbi and Co-Director of Chabad of Jacksonville Town Center, one of the most active and influential Jewish institutions in Northeast Florida, which he founded in 2006 together with his wife, Chana Novack. Under their leadership, Chabad of Jacksonville Town Center has grown into a vibrant hub for Jewish life, education, and outreach, serving families, students, and professionals across the region. Rabbi Novack also serves as the Pulpit Rabbi of the Shapiro Sanctuary at the Town Center, Director of the Chabad Student Center for Jewish Life at the University of North Florida, and serves as the official Rabbi Chaplain at the University of North Florida, where he works closely with students, faculty, and administration to support Jewish life on campus.
Raised in Los Angeles, California, Rabbi Novack received his rabbinic education at the Rabbinical College of America in New Jersey and the West Coast Talmudical Seminary in Los Angeles, developing a strong foundation in Torah scholarship, pastoral care, and community leadership. In addition to his communal roles, Rabbi Novack is deeply involved in hospital chaplaincy through Chabad on Call, providing spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and healthcare staff at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and other regional hospitals, while also training medical professionals in Jewish cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Rabbi Novack is a frequent voice in local, regional, and national media, offering insight on antisemitism, Jewish life, campus issues, and matters of faith and culture. Known for his moral clarity, compassionate leadership, and ability to connect with diverse audiences, he maintains strong relationships with civic leaders and interfaith partners, bringing Jewish perspectives into broader public conversations. Rabbi Novack lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Chana, and their five sons, and together they are known for their openness, accessibility, and deep commitment to the community they serve.