On Some Jewish History -- Global and Personal

Sokolow's famous History of Zionism (1911) greets modern-day Zionism in Two Volumes with its forerunners of Jewish and Gentile (notably British) Philosophical, Political, and Pragmatic Supports. Of interesting note, I had no idea that Napolean Bonaparte, not only invaded 'The Holy Land' for his own purposes of conquest, but reinstituted a Sanhedrin, in Paris, of seventy leading Rabbis, with the intent of restoring it and the Jewish people, with regional Jewish leadership to Israel (under his control of course).

Today, I read for the first time, Theodor Herzl's, The Jewish State, his first of two Books on Zionism. A literary figure before becoming a leader and diplomat, his diaries are extensive and preserved completely. The impact of the Dreyfus affair, also in France, on this otherwise fully assimilated and non-religious Jew is significant. That he devoted the rest of his brief life, in persistent and only partially successful diplomatic and fund-raising efforts is a testament not only to himself, but to the impact of injustice to the innocent, and of ever-virulent anti-semitism in popular feeling.

So here, examples from two sides of the tensions between assimilation and Zionism. Composed within and perhaps from the same motives of the Zionist himself.

Since arriving in Israel last Summer I have made opportunities to study my Yichus (genealogy), when time has permitted. The discoveries have been significant, particularly on my father's father's side of the family, as I only knew of my grandfather, and never met him, having spoken with or interviewed my father and my aunt, Sophie Levinson Lebow Harris in times past. There have been some Zionistic activities in Levinson history. Turns out I am not the first in my family to have made aliyah to Israel or Jerusalem. Some came from Lithuania, as my father's family from America, came originally from the Lithuanian-Poland-Byelorussia diaspora.

I will write topically or in profile about (eye-opening) family matters or members again in future posts. However, for now, a basic trace ...

Dean Aaron Levinson, who has made Aliyah to Israel, is the son of
Jacob Levinson, the son of
Yitzhak Eizik Levinson (who came to America as a child), the son of
Rabbi Eliyahu Ber Levinson, the son of
Rabbi Yitzhak Eizk Levinson, the son of
Rabbi Arye Leib Levinson

Rabbi Yitzhak Eizik Levinson, married
Treina Ragoler, the daughter of
Rabbi Eliyahu Ragoler, the son of
Rabbi Avraham Ragoler, the son of
Rabbi Shlomo Zalmen (c.1700 and also the father of Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, the Gaon, aka HaGra, whose followers popularized prot-Zionism among the London Society)
More to present here in a future post. Some related discoveries are prompting a new book.

For one Zionistic profile: Rabbi Yitzhak and Treina Levinson had five children, of these --
Daughters Khaya (wife of Yehekial Heller) and Gisa Levinson were both known to make aliyah to Jerusalem, and died here later.

Son, Rabbi Eliyahu Ber Levinson was born 1821 in Kretinga, Lithuania and later married Sheitel Levinson. Known as ‘Reb Elinka Kretinger’, Eliyahu was also a merchant, who made a fortune from the dredging of the Venta Canal, and from banking. Together with wife Sheitel he had 3 children: Yitzhak Eizik Levinson (my grandfather who came to Bessemer, Pa, USA as a child), Zalmen Levinson, and Brakha Levinson. Recognized as a scholar, Eliyahu Ber Levinson refused all offers of a Rabbinic post. Gabbei of Kollel Vilna, he was responsible for collections of donations to Eretz Israel. Eliyahu died 1888 in Kretinga.

In the Shoah, Lithuania (including part of Poland and Byelorussia) saw the fewest percentage of survivors in Europe, 8,000 of 324,000 Jews. The Yeshiva system in use in Israel today came from my forefathers in the Lithuanian scholarly community. (It would be positive if the American and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community would stop persecuting me here).

© Copyright 2006 Dean Levinson