I World

Sen. Carl Levin
and his brother,

U.S. Rep. Sander

Levin

Dynamic
Duo
Dyna

I

Jewish Theological Seminary honors power-brothers Sander and Carl Levin.

Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News

W

ith wit and a hint of sarcasm
they banter back and forth
and tease each other like any
close brothers would. But Rep. Sander
Levin, D-Mich., 78, and Sen. Carl Levin, D-
Mich., 75, also have a mutual respect and
love for each other and for Judaism that's
palpable.
The "dynamic duo:' as they're often
called, took the stage together at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield

during an April 18 high tea reception
sponsored by the new York-based Jewish
Theological Seminary of America. The
Levins were presented with the Eternal
Light Award, JTS's highest honor.
"I'd like to thank JTS and I'd like to
congratulate my brother:' Rep. Levin said
before embracing Sen. Levin during the
ceremony.
The Levin boys were born and raised
in Detroit, part of a close-knit family that
stressed the importance of community.
They grew up sharing a room; now they
share a passion for public service. Thus

far, the senator and representative have
racked up an astonishing combined 58
years of service (Carl took office in 1979,
Sandy in 1983) — and they're power-
ful. Sen. Levin chairs the Senate Armed
Services Committee; Rep. Levin chairs
the House Ways and Means Committee.
They're the only brothers serving in
Congress today and no other siblings have
served as long together.
"They both have given so much nation-
ally and locally and to the local Jewish
community:' said Rob Goodman of
Franklin, Detroit JTS cabinet co-chair

along with Steven Weisberg of West
Bloomfield.
"We felt it was appropriate to honor two
of our own from Detroit who continue
play such a vital role Goodman said.
President Barack Obama even sent
a congratulatory letter, which was read
aloud to the crowd of about 200 JTS sup-
porters.
"The individuals you honor on this
occasion, Sen. Levin and Rep. Levin, exem-
plify what can be achieved when principal
is matched by determination:' Obama
wrote. "Their dedication to the people of

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