THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
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Vol. II. No. 10
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DETROIT, MICH., MAY 4, 1917
American Jewry Loses Great Teacher and Leader
Dr. J. Leonard Levy, Rabbi of Temple Rodef Shalom, Pitts-
R
burgh, Pa., Died at his Home Thursday, April 24, at
Ev. DR. J. LEONARD LEVY, rabbi
of Rodef Shalom Temple of Pius-
burgh, Pennsylvania, died at his home
in Pitttsbugh, on Thursday evening,
April 24, after a four days' illness,
The noted rabbi, one of the foremost
Jewish spiritual leaders in the world,
at the very zenith of his remarkable
career, succumbed to an attack of
pneumonia. His most active life was
cut short at the age of 52.
it was after the delivery of what his
congregation declares to have been
one of his greatest sermons last Sun-
day morning, that Dr. Levy felt the
first effects of the illness that was to
end in his untimely death. Physi-
cians recommended his immediate de-
parture for a vacation but the sudden
seriousness of his condition Monday
necessitated the abandonment of his
plans.
Not only by Jews is his passing
mourned. Rabbi Levy had a univer-
sal reputation as an author, and lec-
turer on many subjects. He was a
man of striking personality, manifold
talents, and indefatigable industry.
As a leader and teacher his fame was
international. His friendships em-
braced the presidents of the nation,
governors of states, members of the
highest courts, diplomatic officers of
many lands, and held the respect and
admiration of the Christian ministry
of every denomination. As an orator
he was without a peer. The an-
nouncement of his presence at any
assemblage was assurance of a ca-
pacity audience.
(
Desired Simple Funeral.
Though he was the recipient of
many honors in his public life he ex-
pressed a wish in his will that his
passing be devoid of demonstration
and be as unostentatious as that of
the lowliest mortal. He desired no
flowers, no draperies in the Temple,
no eloquent words of eulogy. The
body of this great man was viewed
for several hours in the Temple last
Sunday afternoon by crowds of peo-
ple in every walk of life, Jew and
Gentile. Messages of condolence
were received by his family from all
parts of the globe and organizations
of all kinds sent messages. The
American Federation of Labor of Al
legheny county paid tribute to his
memory with the following state-
ment: "The death of Dr. Levy is a
sad misfortune for labor. He was a
champion of the cause of the poor.
lie will be remembered as the friend
of those who are compelled to earn
their livelihood by the sweat of the
brow. We have lost a true friend."
Those who knew Dr. Levy intimately
declare that such sentiments were
his most treasured possessions.
Death Marked Dedication of Temple.
By a remarkable coincidence it was
fated that his death he made a part
of the dedication services of the tem-
ple that had been built under his guid-
ance, and in which he had seen the
people, whose spiritual leader he was,
grow in numbers and importance.
Although the temple had been erected
16 years ago, it was the wish of Rabbi
Levy that its formal dedication take
place only when it was entirely clear
of debt. On his deathbed he received
the glad news Monday that a last
payment of $42,000 had been made,
and he gave instructions for the dedi-
catory celebration.
Rabbi Wise Conducts Services..
Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, of New
York, personal friend of Dr. Levy,
and prototype of the illustrious rabbi,
conducted the funeral services. His
Height of Career—Succumbed to Attack of Pneumonia
—Had Wide Reputation as Lecturer, Author and
Organizer—Once Orthodox Rabbi Became Leader
of Reform Judaism—His Temple Dedicated
with His Death—Nation Mourns His Loss.
RABBI J. LEONARD LEVY
Born Nov. 24, 1865
words were at once eulogy, dedica-
tion of the temple, prayer for the de-
parted and benediction of the people.
Rabbi Wise said:
In accordance with the expressed wish of
Dr. Levy no word of eulogy is to he spoken,
although our hearts yearn to hold converse
with one another touching the precious gift
of his life and our sorrow in his passing. A
fine sense of the meaning of this hour has
moved the officers of the congregation to
mark this moment in a way unique, but no
more unique than the measure of his life
of service and the beauty and holiness of the
bonds which held rabbi and congregation to-
gether..
This temple, which was his shrine of
shrines, before which and on which, as on an
altar, he laid down his life, has rested since
its erection under a burden of indebtedness.
Dr. Levy willed that no formal dedication
should be held until it had been freed from
debt. That hour is at hand. It came while
yet Dr. Levy was of the living. Almost the
last earthly tidings to gladden the heart of
your rabbi was the report of the generosity
of the congregation, at its annual _meeting on
Monday night, in canceling the last item of
the temple's indebtednesS and thus setting
this house of God free.
Men and women, the officers and members
of the congregation Rodef Shalom, have em-
powered me by this word at this time to dedi-
cate this temple to the loving worship of Al.
mighty God, the God of Israel, the God of all
men ; to dedicate it to the loving service of
mankind ; and in the earthly presence of your
teacher and leader to dedicate this temple as
in his name and in his spirit and to his mem-
ory, so that it shall be known for all time to
your children, whom he loved, and to your
children's children, that this, your and his
Died April 24, 1917
house of God, is forever to be bound up with
the memory of Rabbi J. Leonard Levy.
Living, he blessed you; dead, may his mem-
ory, imperishably to endure, live, and through
this temple and altar of God consecrate and
bless you, his loving people, forevermore.
The choir sang Bairstow's "Save
Us 0 God," following which Dr.
Wise recited the nineteenth Psalm.
He. stepped before the casket and
stood, with the congregation, for a
moment in silent prayer.
And then, while the organ played
the funeral march from Chopin and
Guilmant's "Lamentations," they took
the great son of Israel away to his
rest.
The interment, which was private,
was in West View cemetery, the serv-
ices at the grave consisting of the
reading of the Forty-ninth and Seven-
ty-third Psalms. The trustees of the
congregation acted as honorary pall-
bearers. They were: Philip Ham-
burger, Judge Josiah Cohen, Marcus
Aaron, Marcus Rauh, Isaac W. Frank,
A. J. Sunstein, Louis J. Affelder,
Maurice W. Spear, A. Leo Weil,
Meyer Joseph, A. N. Hast, K. Solo-
mon, Ralph Morgenstern and Leon
Falk. The active pallbearers were
alumni of the temple.
Surviving Dr. Levy are his widow,
two daughters, Miss Ruth J. Levy,
attending Bryn Mawr college, and
Mrs. Joseph Barach; and one brother,
George A. Levy of Denver, Colo. An-
other brother died recently in San
Francisco.
Born in London, England.
1)r. Levy was born in London,
land, November 24, 1865. He was the
son of Rev. Solomon Levy, one of the
prominent clergymen of London.
At an early age his parents decided
to devote him to the ministry, and at
the age of 9 he entered the prepara-
tory department of Jews' (Theologi-
cal) college, London. He early
showed proficiency in language and
mathematics, and his ability as a lin-
guist was considerable, being con-
versant with nine languages, ancient,
classical and modern.
At the age of 16 he began his uni-
versity studies, continuing his theo-
logical course at Jews' college, and
his secular courses in university col-
lege. At the former institution he
gained the prize in Hebrew litera-
ture, holding it three years consecu-
tively, and also the A. S. Palmer and
the B. Meyer's scholarship; while at
the latter institution he gained the
Felden scholarship in modern lan-
guages, several first prizes and di-
plomas.
Ordained Orthodox Rabbi.
At the University of London he
matriculated in 1882, took the inter- .
mediate arts examination in 1883, and
graduated in 1884, with the degree of
A., having taken honors in the
course. Among his teachers were
men as well known as Prof. Henry
Morley, C. Goodwin, A. J. Church,
Charles Cassal, at the university, and
Dr. Herman Adler, now chief rabbi
of England, Dr. M. Friedlander and
Dr. S. A. Chtirch. On April 26, 1885,
he was unanimously elected rabbi of
the Bristol Hebrew congregation, be-
ing the youngest ordained rabbi
among English speaking people.
While at Bristol Ile continued his
studies in the university under Prof.
Lloyd Morgan. His congregational
work prospered greatly and his repu-
tation as a teacher became well
known.
He married in December, 1888,
Henrietta, daughter of Mr and Mrs.
M. J. Platnatier, wealthy and promi-
nent members of his congregation.
His religious opinions having become
modified while in Bristol, he decided
that he could no longer preach ortho-
dox Judaism. Accordingly he left
Bristol and migrated to the United
States in September, 1889, accepting
a call to Sacramento, Cal., at a great
financial sacrifice. Here Ile remained
until April, 1893, when he accepted a
call as associate rabbi of the Kene-
seth Israel Reform Congregation.
Called to Philadelphia.-
As soon as he began to work in
Philadelphia it was recognized that
he was a man of uncommon oratorical
powers, a scholar and a man of great
organizing ability. He worked in
Philadelphia for eight years, and left
behind him in the Quaker City a pow-
erful influence for good. While there
he spoke in many churches and on
public platforms on many occasions.
Of liberal views and with remark-
able gifts as a public speaker, he was
heard by thousands of persons every
week. Every reform cause received
his support and with indefatigable
energy he gave himself up to the task
of upbuilding public sentiment in be-
half of religious, social, economic and
political reforms.
During his years in Philadelphia
he published eight volumes of lec-
tures, including a series of addresses
.•