The Leadership of Rabbi Steve Kaye: A Journey of Service with the Red Cross

Steve Kaye sitting at table that has a folded paper with Red Cross written on it.

April 25, 2025

By Ana Gomez, American Red Cross

Steve Kaye has become a pillar of support for communities in times of disaster. With over 25 years of dedicated service to the American Red Cross, Kaye has played an instrumental role in shaping Disaster Spiritual Care (DSC) and providing emotional and spiritual support during some of the most challenging moments in recent history. From Columbine High School to Las Vegas, Kaye’s work goes far beyond disaster response — it’s about helping individuals rediscover their strength, hope, and connection to something greater than themselves.

His interest in critical and mass casualty incidents began on January 13, 1982, while he was a rabbinical student. That day, he watched on national television as Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. As he processed his own shock and grief, Kaye listened to survivors’ stories. One interview, in particular, stood out: a woman who had climbed out of the icy Potomac River told a reporter, “I survived because God was with me.” The reporter responded, “Are you saying God wasn’t with the others?” That exchange became a pivotal theological moment for Kaye, awakening a deep understanding of the spiritual questions and needs that emerge in times of tragedy.

That moment, along with the 1996 Trans World Airlines Flight 800 disaster, led Kaye to recognize significant gaps in spiritual care during aviation emergencies. In response, the Red Cross established the Spiritual Aviation Incident Response (SAIR) Team in 1997, marking a turning point in the organization’s approach to disaster spiritual care. As one of the SAIR Team’s early members, Kaye helped forge new paths within the Red Cross, demonstrating the value of spiritual support in crisis situations. Over the years, he worked relentlessly to build trust and advocate for spiritual care to be recognized as an essential part of disaster response, standing alongside mental health services.

Kaye’s background as a rabbi has been instrumental in his approach. With a unique understanding of the spiritual needs of individuals in crisis, he provides emotional support in ways that transcend religious boundaries. "It’s about ministry of presence," he explains, emphasizing that spiritual care isn’t about spreading a specific religious message but rather meeting people where they are in their own spiritual journeys.

One of Kaye’s core philosophies is that those who serve in disaster response must always do so with empathy and humility. "You can't be a cowboy," he shares, reflecting on the importance of collaboration within the Red Cross. "You lean on each other, especially in moments when the weight of the situation feels overwhelming."

This collaborative spirit is evident in his work within the Colorado Wyoming region of the American Red Cross, where he has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the CO-WY Integrated Condolence Care Team, with mental health professionals, health services and other disaster response teams. His leadership has fostered an environment of trust and respect, helping to ensure those affected by the disaster receive the full spectrum of care they need.

Steve Kaye standing at a Red Cross podium.

The Role of Spiritual Care in Crisis

As Kaye has witnessed firsthand, disasters come in many forms—from natural catastrophes to mass casualty events like the Columbine school shooting, the Aurora Theater tragedy, the Tree of Life Synagogue attack, the Las Vegas and Club Q shootings, and the King Soopers tragedy in Boulder. For Kaye, each response is a chance to offer comfort and human connection during someone’s darkest hour. “When disaster strikes, it’s someone’s worst day—losing a home, losing a loved one,” he says. “I help people find a new north on their compass, guiding them through the storm as everything around them spins.”

One of Kaye's most profound experiences was the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, where he witnessed the town's transformation from a place of excess to one of overwhelming compassion. "Vegas is a crazy place, but to see people come together, bringing water and clothes for the victims, was an excess of compassion that meant a lot to me," he reflects. His work with victims, survivors, and first responders highlighted the importance of providing spiritual and emotional care during such trauma.

Kaye’s expertise extends beyond local disaster responses. He also works closely with law enforcement, as a Denver Department Police Chaplain, where his role as a rabbi helps bridge cultural and emotional gaps in times of crisis. His work with the United States Secret Service, as chaplain, is another example of how he brings a sense of meaning and spirituality to those in the field, providing support to agents who often deal with high-stress situations.

The emotional toll of disaster response is immense, and Kaye knows this well. He emphasizes the importance of self-care for those in the helping profession. "You come in peace, and you need to leave in peace," he shares, reflecting on the need for responders to protect their own spiritual and emotional well-being. For Kaye, “wind therapy” on his Harley Davidson serves as a powerful way to decompress, offering him both spiritual and mental relief after intense deployments.

Steve Kaye kneeling next to a support dog.

Beyond physical methods of self-care, Kaye credits the support of his family, colleagues, and a trusted community for helping him maintain balance. “Having the right group of trusted colleagues and family with whom I can be vulnerable has been key to my own well-being," he says. "There’s no judgment, just an open space to express emotions."

Presently, Kaye is focused on engaging the next generation of volunteers. "As I get older, I want to respond less and teach more," he shares, expressing a desire to guide and mentor others, passing on the lessons he’s learned over the years. He is deeply proud of his contributions to the Red Cross, especially his efforts to help colleagues and leadership understand the nuances of Judaism, fostering open conversations without pushing a religious agenda. Kaye’s unwavering commitment to the Red Cross has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2018 Hero Volunteer Award from the Colorado Wyoming Region and the Colorado Emergency Management Association Award in 2016.

For Kaye, the greatest reward remains the opportunity to be present in someone's hardest moments. Disaster response is about more than providing physical aid — it’s about restoring hope, faith, resiliency and a sense of purpose in the face of overwhelming loss. It is this dedication to helping others that has made Kaye a true hero in disaster spiritual care, shaping the Red Cross’s approach to compassion and healing for years to come.

Get involved and make an impact today by volunteering with the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross thanks The Anschutz Foundation, Haulistic, Civitas Resources Inc., and Tallgrass Energy for making this award possible and for supporting our mission in Colorado and Wyoming.