Rabbi Moshe H. Levinson z"l

Rabbi Moshe Haim Levinson z"l, for decades a revered religious leader and educator of the Washington area, and regarded by his peers as the "dean" of the rabbinate was born in Jerusalem in 1898. A third generation Jerusalemite, Rabbi Levinson was educated in Yeshiva Eitz Chaim and received his ordination Yoreh Yoreh - Yadin Yadin from Rabbi Joseph G. Horovits as well as smichah from Harav  Kook. After his ordination he served as a rabbi in Merchavia and Beer Touvia.

He left Palestine to serve as religious leader in Greenport, Long Island and was then invited by a community of 30 Jews in Alexandria, Virginia to organize the then Orthodox Agudas Achim Congregation. Rabbi Levinson’s interest in pioneer work led to the congregation’s doubling after five years and the forming of clubs and the establishment of Sunday and Hebrew schools.

Jewry in the nation's capital called Rabbi Levinson in 1934 to assume leadership of Har Zion Synagogue at 8th and Shepherd Streets, N.W. Shortly thereafter at that site a new synagogue was dedicated and renamed Beth Sholom. Here, too, the rabbi organized a Hebrew school and fostered youth groups as the congregation grew to 500 members. During those years he was simultaneously active in rescuing refugees from Hitler occupied Europe during World War II. His home was open to all and became a haven for Jewish singles on Shabbat where many met their future mates.

Upon retiring from Beth Sholom he formed his own unique and innovative congregation at 7th and Jefferson Streets, N.W. with Shabbat youth services lead by the youth along with their parents. Many of the young people ultimately moved to the suburbs and formed the Shomrai Emunah Congregation with the noble help of the rabbi.

As a founder of the Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington, Rabbi Levinson was instrumental in the school's growth from its inception with a handful of students. He served as President, Honorary Vice-President, active member of the Board of Education and was an Academy honoree on his 60th anniversary in the rabbinate. The Yeshiva High School also honored the rabbi, a founding member, who served on their Board of the Vaad Hachinuch.

Rabbi Levinson received many awards and citations from the United States government and numerous Jewish and Zionist organizations. His efforts on behalf of human rights for all was never ending. A man extolled as a Talmudic scholar of a wise, kindly and judicious temperament, he attained the tacit status of the community's arbiter of conflicts. Rabbi Levinson led a full and complete life serving others. None of these activities prevented him from being a devoted, caring husband, father, and grandfather. The memory of this dedicated scholar and relentless community activist lives on in the Upper School in our midst bearing his name.