Rabbi Leo Dee’s life is a story of unexpected turns—of ambition, tragedy, faith, and extraordinary resilience. A Cambridge-educated investment banker, Dee seemed set for a prosperous career in the financial world. Yet a deeper calling led him away from business and toward a life of spiritual leadership, education, and service.
That foundation of faith would later be tested in the most devastating way. On April 7, 2023, during the Passover holiday, Rabbi Dee’s wife, Lucy, and daughters Maia and Rina were traveling through the Jordan Valley when Palestinian gunmen ambushed their car. Maia and Rina were killed instantly; Lucy, critically injured, succumbed to her wounds days later in the hospital. In a matter of moments, Dee’s world was shattered.
Yet even amid unimaginable grief, Rabbi Dee chose a response few could have anticipated: a rededication to the values of hope, love, and resilience. Rather than allowing hatred to consume him, he committed himself to spreading a message rooted in the enduring wisdom of his tradition.
His latest work, Transforming the World: The Jewish Impact on Modernity, reflects that mission. It is both a profound exploration of how ancient Jewish ideas have shaped the modern world and a living tribute to the spirit of his wife and daughters, whose legacy endures through acts of learning, compassion, and connection.
Early Life and Career
Born and raised in London, England, Leo Dee pursued an academic path at the prestigious University of Cambridge, where he earned a Master’s degree in Engineering in 1994. After graduation, he entered the world of finance, working successfully as an investment banker.
However, driven by a search for deeper meaning and purpose, Dee made a life-changing decision. He left the financial sector to study Torah intensively at Yeshivat HaMivtar in Israel. Following his rabbinic ordination, he returned to the United Kingdom, serving as the Assistant Rabbi at Hendon United Synagogue and later as the Senior Rabbi of Radlett United Synagogue in Hertfordshire.
In 2014, Rabbi Dee and his family made aliyah to Israel, settling in Efrat, a town in the Judean Hills. He continued his academic pursuits, earning a Master’s degree in Public Health at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2016. Throughout his career, whether teaching, working in sustainable investment, or leading communities, Dee consistently blended analytical skills with a deep commitment to values, education, and public service.
Tragedy and Turning Point
The events of April 7, 2023, marked a tragic turning point in Rabbi Dee’s life. A terrorist attack not only robbed him of his wife and two daughters but also challenged the very foundations of his existence.
In the face of this horrific loss, Rabbi Dee became a symbol of resilience. He publicly emphasized the power of love, forgiveness, and collective responsibility over hatred and despair. His moving words and actions in the aftermath resonated across faiths and nations, inspiring many to reconsider the true strength found in compassion and moral clarity.
Transforming the World: The Jewish Impact on Modernity
From this place of grief and determination came Transforming the World: The Jewish Impact on Modernity. In this thought-provoking work, Rabbi Dee examines the often unrecognized ways that ancient Jewish ideas have profoundly shaped modern society.
Rather than focusing on well-known historical figures or isolated achievements, the book illuminates how foundational concepts—many of which emerged thousands of years ago—continue to influence today’s most important values and institutions, including:
- Justice systems that emphasize rehabilitation alongside punishment.
- Universal education, once a revolutionary idea introduced by Jewish communities.
- Social responsibility and community care.
- Labor rights, including the establishment of weekly rest days for workers.
Dee challenges the widespread notion that progress requires abandoning tradition. Instead, he shows that ancient wisdom often underpins many of the modern ideals we cherish today.
Importantly, Transforming the World is not intended solely for Jewish readers. Rabbi Dee’s exploration speaks to anyone curious about how historical ideas evolve and shape our shared human experience. He emphasizes that the values he traces have transcended religious boundaries, becoming part of the universal heritage that guides modern civilization.
Beyond its intellectual exploration, the book also stands as a personal memorial—honoring the lives of Lucy, Maia, and Rina by furthering the values of education, understanding, and bridge-building between people of all backgrounds.
A Legacy of Light
Today, Rabbi Leo Dee continues to share his message on global stages. His journey—from finance to faith, and from tragedy to advocacy—serves as a powerful example of how ancient traditions can still illuminate a path forward, even in the face of profound sorrow.
In an age often characterized by division and historical amnesia, Rabbi Dee offers a different perspective: a call to rediscover the deep roots of our most treasured ideals, and to let that knowledge guide us toward a more compassionate and resilient future.
Transforming the World: The Jewish Impact on Modernity is now available on the Israel365 store and can be purchased here.
