Rabbi Yehuda Heschel Levenberg
יהודה העשל ב"ר צבי הלוי
Rosh Yeshiva, Orthodox Rabbinical Seminary, New Haven, ConnecticutDate of Death:
Sat. January 15, 1938 -
Shevat 13 5698
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Directions to Kever: Jewel Avenue Cemetery located along Jewel Avenue between Oynx Street and Whalley Avenue in New Haven, is the common name for a number of smaller cemeteries at this location. Each cemetery maybe independently owned and operated. Location: Congregation Beth Israel, Vilner Lodge Cemetery along the main path, D6
Biographical Notes:
Photo Caption: Rav Yehuda Heschel Levenberg in New Haven, Credit: Institute For Judaic Culture and History (IFJCAH)
Photo caption: The last known picture of Rav Yehuda Heschel Levenberg, Credit: Institute For Judaic Culture and History (IFJCAH)
Credit:Â Institute For Judaic Culture and History (IFJCAH)
Photo Caption: Advertisement announcing Rav Yehuda Heschel Levenberg visit to Jersey City, Credit: The Jewish Morning Journal, May 13, 1917
Bio Information:Â
Rav Yehuda Heschel Levenberg’s first position in the United States was the Chief Rabbi of Jersey City.
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What did he do in the New Haven?
He founded the first European style Yeshiva in the United States.
Thanks
Who posted this photo? My great grandfather…
I did, it was from the first ones to be posted on the website. Do you have any good stories about your great grandfather?
Thank you,
Baruch@kevarim.com
Who is the Rav buried alongside Rav Levenberg?
His SIL Rav Yitzchok Zvi Ever wrote a complete biography in Yiddish on his FIL, avilable on Hebrew Books website
http://www.hebrewbooks.org/2412
Baruch,
The comment from Mitch points out a good note that next to Rav Levenberg it seems like another Rav is buried.
After adjusting the brightness of the photo I was able to identify it as Rabbi Yisroel Tauber Ben Reb Schmuel, Niftar 5685-1925, do you know more about him?
I believe he was a talmid of the yeshiva.
The Yeshiva of New Haven was in Cleveland for a time and Reb Sheftel Kramer was also a R”Y. (My father Z”L was a Talmid there.) There was a split and part of the Yeshiva moved to Baltimore to become Ner Yisroel.
I just noticed that his tombstone is not decorated with lavish titles. “Here lies Yehuda Heschel Levenberg” further showing how great he was!!!!!!!
I have a good picture of Rav Tuber’s kever that I’ll send in.
Cheif rabbi, the nusach on his matzeiva is according to his tzava’ah, see in the above mentioned [by miller] bio on him.
Baruch,
Was this your first post? Nov 13 2007, wow!! almost three years ago, and we have noe over 700 posts, Great job!
Where was Rav Levenberg born? My family on one side is from Latvia, and married Levenbergs. I’ve never actually met a Levenberg who is related, but then I’ve never actually met a Levenberg either!
i believe my grandfather joseph hellmann was the nephew of rabbi levenberg his mother was a levenburg and they imigrated from latvia to south
africa at the turn of the century and lived in the orange free state south africa my grandfather recounted the story that he came to newhaven
in the 30’s to study with his uncle to be a rabbi but ended up going to university of michigan and studied dentistry i am intersted to see if this is the uncle that my late grandfather who passed
away in 1995 was refering to you an contact me
on 561-542-9649
FEBRUARY 1, 1933
City Council Gets Resolution Calling for Probe into Arrest of Rabbi
ASK DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST POLICE OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR FORCIBLE DETENTION OF RABBI LEVENBERG
Cleveland –
A resolution was presented to the city council last night for an immediate investigation of the forcible detention of Rabbi Jehudah H. Levenberg, for questioning in the bombing of the Danches Poultry Market on January 18th.
The resolution was introduced in the form of an emergency issue by Councilman Herman E. Kohen.
Mr. Kohen’s demand provides that Mayor Ray T. Miller be requested to direct Director Frank J. Merrick to investigate the action of the police department to determine which members of the department are responsible for “such outrageous conduct and take such disciplinary measures as the case may warrant.”
Rabbi Levenberg, besides being Dean of the Cleveland Yeshivah, is spiritual leader of three major orthodox congregations in the city. He was taken into custory by police at 3:00 A. M. after the bombing of the Danches Market had occurred.
The resolution further asserts that Rabbi Levenberg, “one of the outstanding Orthodox Jewish rabbis in Cleveland and considered as such by Jewry of the country, was held incommunicado at the Central Police Station for 14 hours. Furthermore that police abused and insulted the members of his congregation who called at the station for the purpose of making an inquiry as to why their rabbi was detained.”
It was learned yesterday that Mayor Miller had received telegrams from all parts of the United States protesting against the conduct of police in the case of Rabbi Levenberg. Police Chief George Matowitz has been instructed by Director Merrick to look into the case immediately and make a report to him.
Police, according to the resolution, accused Rabbi Levenberg of being a racketeer and of having a criminal record. Such accusations, the measure asserts, are “wholly unfounded, false and ridiculous,” and that a great injustice and humiliation had been perpetrated upon Rabbi Levenberg and every member of his three congregations.
“The wanton disrespect of the rights of the citizens of Cleveland was an affront to Jew and Gentile as well, and was a direct insult and outrage to the Jewry of Cleveland,” Mr. Kohen’s resolution reads.
Mrs. Danches, owner of the poultry market, the bombing of which has implicated the rabbi, told police that Rabbi Levenberg and another man had come to her house to collect tax on killing of chickens and that these men had threatened her after a dispute had arisen. It was the second time in a month that the poultry shop had been bombed. The truth of Mrs. Danches’ statements to police are being questioned, and the threat is reported to be unfounded.
The local B’nai Brith will co-operate with the Federation of Orthodox Congregations to control racketeering among Kosher butcher shops and markets.
http://archive.jta.org/article/1933/02/01/2797645/city-council-gets-resolution-calling-for-probe-into-arrest-of-rabbi
http://www.yated.com/content.asp?contentid=349#!prettyPhoto%5Bgallery1%5D/0/
Barry- I believe he was from Riga, Lavtia. I know that my great-Grandmother was.
Warren- Rabbi Levenberg was in New Haven. His son, Rabbi Samuel Levenberg was born in 1914 and studied in Europe just before the second world war. He came back and was a Rabbi in New Haven, where my father was born.
When my great grandfather came to the US, I know that some of the Levenberg’s moved to South Africa and some to Israel. Love to know more about what you found out.
An interesting consideration is that Rabbi Levenberg’s name included Heshel while his father was Zvi. Did his father die before he was born?
Heshel and HeRshel are two totally different names
Rabbi Yehuda Levenberg was my grandfather. I’m the daughter of his eldest son, Moishe. Jonah, you must be a grandson of yudi, because shmuel had only two children and i believe that esther (diane) never had kids.
Tho my grandfather died nearly a decade before i was born, there were many stories about him. None about my grandmother. Does anyone have any info about her?
oh, yes. The family was originally from Riga and around the turn of the century split: some going to israel (palestine then), and to the u.s. while others went to south africa, or so the stories went. I stayed with one of the israeli branch in the 1960’s, a man named zalman, who was an editor for ma’ariv. I’d love to know more about the south african branch. Warren, when do still have family in south africa?
There is a yid in Lakewood by the name of Rabbi HERSHEL Levenberg shlit”a. He wrote a few sforim and was a rosh chabura in Bais Medrash Gvoha for many years. He is a son of Reb YH Levenberg ztz”l. I had the honor and pleasure of visiting him in his current ‘home’ (the Lakewood Courtyard). An outstanding talmid chochom and an unbelievable baal middos. He also has an amazing memory. He showed me many photos of his father and his father in law, Reb Moshe Shatzkes ztz”l, with many gedolei yisroel of the previous generation.
Shoshana,
Shmuel was my grandfather. He had two children, Esther (Diane) who did not have children and passed away a number of years ago in Israel, and my dad, Judah, who we lost 4 years ago. So if I follow this correctly, we would be cousins (a few removed obviously). I am trying to work on the family tree, because at this point my son would be the end of the line of this part of the Levenberg family. Can you contact me directly? jonahlev@gmail.com
Cemetery Map: # D29
http://www.yeshivanewhavensynagogue.org/cemetery/Congregation_Beth_Israel.pdf#search=D29
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
Rabbi Levenberg’s son Rav Tzvi Levenberg was niftar this week.
http://matzav.com/rav-tzvi-hersh-levenberg-ztl/
Anybody going to his kever this monday?
13th of shevat.
I am the grandson of Rav Yehuda H. Levenberg Z’L, and the son of Rav Isaac Ever author of the famous Yiddish biography of my “Zeide”. My mother was Ethel Ruth (Levenberg). Please, Jonah contact me directly to my email evereadyrav@yahoo.com. I have additional info you may like to have regarding our common heritage. Looking forward!
This has been most interesting to read!! I am a great great grandchild of R’ YH Levenberg zt”l. My great grandfather was R’ Tzvi H Levenberg zt”l. I live in the UK and have always been interested in finding out more details of the extended branches of the family! Would love to be in touch regarding details of the family tree. My email address is raizylevenberg@gmail.com
My mother was the daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Herschel Levenberg. Her name was Miriam Margolis. My father Allen Margolis went to his yeshiva in Cleveland Ohio. That’s how they met. They also lived in New Haven where your grandfather Samuel was the Rabbi of the Young Israel. Your father & Aunt Esther ( Diane) lived with us for about a year after their mother died.
We then moved to New York. It would be nice to connect. I have many stories. I used to be close to your Aunt Esther.
I see that there are a lot of different branches of the Levenberg family here – Maybe everyone can add their branches onto geni.com
There is a basic family tree there already but is missing a lot….
Maybe the different branches can shed some light on how the family spread out.
Rabbi Yehuda H had 7 children [American Census 1920 and 1930 and 1940]
1) Bertha
2) Ethel
3) Morrie
4) Samuel
5) Miriam
6) Bernice
7) Harold
1 – Bertha married Moses Mintz. Had children Malcolm and another 3 [which I cannot read on the 1940 census]. Dora [Devora] the wife of Rabbi Yehuda H was registered with them in the 1940 census. [Yehuda H died in 1939]. I think that Bertha was known as Brocha Ahuva and had a famous radio show and was a public speaker.
2 – Ethel married Isaac H Ever in 1936 – He put out a book (in Yiddish) about his father-in-law Rabbi Yehuda H.
3) Morris [Moshe?] married Flenor Bordow in 1937
7) Harold was known as Tzvi Hersh – lived in NY – passed away a few years ago.
Firstly – I made a mistake – Rabbi Yehuda H died in 1938 [not in 1939]
Secondly in the 1940 census – Miriam, Bernice and Heshy [Zvi] are registered living with Isaac and Etherl Ever, and their mother Dora is with the Mintz’s.
Does anyone know the history of how the family spread out after Rabbi Yehuda H passed away?
It is with utter fascinating interest that i came across the outpouring of my inheritance of my family on your Kevarim.Com
My grandfather was Rav Yehuda Herschel Levenberg. My Name is Vita Mintz, I am the Daughter of Bertha Mintz the eldest Daughter of Rav Yehuda Herschel Levenberg.
It is so amazing to see what happened to all my cousins, nieces, nephews etc.
I welcome any further questions on my Email Vitagr8@gmail.com. Looking forward, Stay safe, love to all.
Anyone know what his wife’s maiden name was
I see it says Devorah has Rav Levi hakohen on her Kever
Eidelstein?
Eidelstein is correct. She was from Vindava – and married Rav Yehuda Heshel on the 15/5/1907 in Vindava. She was born 11/11/1881. Her father was a brewer. [Information from jewishgen]
Does anyone have any pictures or information about her?
A resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, I recently had the opportunity to daven at the kever of this tremendous tzadik. While I had heard of the Rav Z”L, and his famed Yeshiva, I was not aware that the Rav Z”L was buried in New Haven until reading a recent biography of the Rav Z”L in Mishpacha magazine. Although it took me a few minutes to find the well-cared for kever, it’s actually easy to locate. It’s about 10-12 kevarim along the path that commences at the “Vilna” sign. Knowing the greatness of this tzadik and his Rebbetzin made for an emotional visit. I encourage all to make the trip.
I have an entire book on Rabbi Yehuda Heschel Levenberg
email me at g.wolf.cbi@gmail.com and I will send you some photos . Please put “Brothers of Joseph Library project” in the subject line so I don’t delete it.
Gershon