A memorial will be held on Sunday, August 12, at 5 p.m. at The Workmen’s Circle, 1525 South Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles. Those who wish to attend are requested to R.S.V.P. to his e-mail address, benlevim@aol.com, or by telephone to 323-384-3645.
Michael Ben-Levi, né Martin Lewinson, passed away on July 27, 2007, at 80. He is survived by his wife Beatrice, son Jack and daughter Rachel, brother Saul Lewinson, sister Anne Warren and brother Arthur Lewinson.
Dr. Ben-Levi received his doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Southern California. His dissertation focused on white-collar crime and criminal law. He was Chairman of the Sociology Department of Loyola University in the 1970s. From the 1980s to retirement, he taught at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
In the 1950s he emigrated from Los Angeles to Israel with Hashomer Hatzair, residing at Kibbutz Barkai; but returned to help his ailing mother. For her, he designed a device to avoid bedsores for which he received a patent in 2006. He remained a vigorous leader in the Zionist movement in Los Angeles. A past president of the Southern California chapter of Meretz USA, he was active in The Workmen’s Circle and in the leadership of Ameinu. Michael was beloved not only by his family and close friends but also by numerous neighbors, and others in need, whom he helped in so many ways. He was and will be irreplaceable.
Donations may be made in his name to Meretz USA, 114 West 26th Street, Suite 1002, New York, NY 10001-6812; The Workmen’s Circle, 1525 South Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035-4231; or Hadassah Medical Organization, Kiryat Hadassah, Post Office Box 12000, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel.
Odd that I would come across this. I think I met Michael on a bus on Vancouver Island in 2001. If this Michael ben Levi was extremely well traveled, then that is who I met. Can anyone verify that this obit is for the man I met on the bus. I’ll never forget our conversations about traveling, family, religion, education, etc.
I believe this is the same Michael Ben-Levi. My uncle traveled to several countries around the world over his 80 years. You were very lucky to meet him and be able to speak with him. We are all sorry to have lost him.
My name is David Griffin. I found out about Dr. Ben-Levi from Dr. Kazu Suzuki – my wife is a former patient of his.
Dr. Suzuki told me that Dr. Ben-levi invented a bed designed to turn the occupant 180 degrees. For many years, I have been working on a self-directed, rehabilitation system for people with physical disabilities. I am wondering if there can be a connection between Dr. Ben-levi’s invention and my own. My cell phone is 310.880.9100. You may visit my web site at http://www.completeaccess.tv if you wish to know a bit about me before calling. I wish you all joy and good health.
David Griffin