Zion (Sion) Rajamim Levy (Hebrew: ציון רחמים לוי, pronounced Ṣiyyon Raḥamim Levi) (1925–2008) was the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Panama for 57 years. His tenure is thought to be the longest of any religious leader in the region.[1] He built up a Jewish community of 6,000-7,000 Torah-observant Jews in a country of 3 million.[2]
Rabbi Zion Rajamim Levy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title | Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Panama |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Zion Levy 8 September 1922 Jerusalem, British Mandate of Palestine |
| Died | 23 November 2008 Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli, Panamanian |
| Spouse | Rubissa Sarah Levy |
| Children | David Levy, Haim Levy, Yaacov Levy (deceased). |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Denomination | Orthodox |
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Rabbi Simon Abadi |
| Successor | Rabbi Haim Levy |
| Synagogue | Shevet Ahim Congregation |
| Yeshiva | Porat Yosef Yeshiva |
| Began | 1951 |
| Ended | 2008 |
| Buried | Har HaMenuchot |
Biography
editEarly life
editLevy was born in Jerusalem shortly after his parents immigrated to Israel from Morocco. His father was Rabbi Yaakov Levy, a noted kabbalist at Beit El Yeshiva.[3] Levy studied at Porat Yosef Yeshiva.
Career
editLevy arrived in Panama in 1951 at the urging of the Jerusalem beth din.[2] In his later years, Levy oversaw the construction of new synagogues in Panama City and worked to smooth relations with the country’s Arab and Muslim communities. He frequently phoned the country’s imam for a talk.[4]
Death
edit
Levy suffered from ill health for several years. In October 2008, he felt unwell and was visited by two physicians from Israel's Tel Hashomer Hospital. The doctors found him in critical condition and recommended that he be flown to Israel to Tel Hashomer. His condition improved initially, but on the evening of 23 November 2008 he succumbed to his illness at the age of 83. He was eulogized at Porat Yosef Yeshiva.
Levy was survived by his sons, David and Haim Levy.[4] His wife, Rubissa Sarah Levy, died shortly after Zion Levy's Death. Haim Levy, a resident of Jerusalem, took over his father's post in Panama as Chief Rabbi. He later resigned the post, and returned to Israel.
References
edit- ^ ""Zion Levy, Panama's Grand Rabbi, 83". Washington Jewish Week, 3 December 2008". Washingtonjewishweek.com. 2008-12-03. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ a b ""Lessons in Leadership: Insights and wisdom from Panama's Chief Rabbi, Tzion Levi, zt"l". Mishpacha Magazine, 24 December 2008, pp. 44-50". Vosizneias.com. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ "News from the Torah World: Rav Tzion (Bentzion Rachamim) Levy, Rov of Panama" (24 November 2008).[dead link]
- ^ a b ""Panama's grand rabbi, Zion Levy, dies." Jewish Telegraph Agency, 28 November 2008". Jta.org. 2008-11-28. Retrieved 2010-12-29.