Zion Levy

Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Panama

Rabbi

Zion Rajamim Levy
ציון רחמים לוי

Title| Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Panama
Personal life
Born|

Zion Levy

8 September 1922

Jerusalem, British Mandate of Palestine

Died| 23 November 2008

Tel Aviv, Israel

Nationality| Israeli, Panamanian
Spouse| Rubissa Sarah Levy
Children| David Levy, Haim Levy, Yaacov Levy (deceased).
Religious life
Religion| Judaism
Denomination| Orthodox
Jewish leader
Predecessor| Rabbi Simon Abadi
Successor| Rabbi Haim Levy
Synagogue| Shevet Ahim Congregation
Yeshiva| Porat Yosef Yeshiva
Began| 1951
Ended| 2008
Buried| Har HaMenuchot

Zion (Sion) Rajamim Levy (Hebrew: ציון רחמים לוי, pronounced Ṣiyyon Raḥamim Levi) (1925–2008) was the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Panama for 57 years. His tenure is thought to be the longest of any religious leader in the region.[1] He built up a Jewish community of 6,000-7,000 Torah-observant Jews in a country of 3 million.[2]

## Biography

[edit]

### Early life

[edit]

Levy was born in Jerusalem shortly after his parents immigrated to Israel from Morocco. His father was Rabbi Yaakov Levy, a noted kabbalist at Beit El Yeshiva.[3] Levy studied at Porat Yosef Yeshiva.

### Career

[edit]

Levy arrived in Panama in 1951 at the urging of the Jerusalem beth din.[2] In his later years, Levy oversaw the construction of new synagogues in Panama City and worked to smooth relations with the country’s Arab and Muslim communities. He frequently phoned the country’s imam for a talk.[4]

### Death

[edit]

Mikveh in Lod, Israel, named after Zion Levy and his wife.

Levy suffered from ill health for several years. In October 2008, he felt unwell and was visited by two physicians from Israel's Tel Hashomer Hospital. The doctors found him in critical condition and recommended that he be flown to Israel to Tel Hashomer. His condition improved initially, but on the evening of 23 November 2008 he succumbed to his illness at the age of 83. He was eulogized at Porat Yosef Yeshiva.

Levy was survived by his sons, David and Haim Levy.[4] His wife, Rubissa Sarah Levy, died shortly after Zion Levy's Death. Haim Levy, a resident of Jerusalem, took over his father's post in Panama as Chief Rabbi. He later resigned the post, and returned to Israel.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ ""Zion Levy, Panama's Grand Rabbi, 83". Washington Jewish Week, 3 December 2008". Washingtonjewishweek.com. 2008-12-03. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
2. ^ a b ""Lessons in Leadership: Insights and wisdom from Panama's Chief Rabbi, Tzion Levi, zt"l". Mishpacha Magazine, 24 December 2008, pp. 44-50". Vosizneias.com. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
3. ^ "News from the Torah World: Rav Tzion (Bentzion Rachamim) Levy, Rov of Panama" (24 November 2008).[dead link]
4. ^ a b ""Panama's grand rabbi, Zion Levy, dies." Jewish Telegraph Agency, 28 November 2008". Jta.org. 2008-11-28. Retrieved 2010-12-29.

* v
* t
* e

Porat Yosef Yeshiva

Location|

* Jerusalem (Old City and Geula branches)

Roshei yeshiva|

* Moshe Tzadka
* Shalom Cohen
* Tzion Tzagi

Past roshei yeshiva|

* Ben Zion Abba Shaul
* Yaakov Ades
* Ezra Attiya
* Shlomo Laniado
* Yehuda Tzadka
* Yehuda Moallem

Prominent alumni|

* Ben Zion Abba Shaul
* Ezra Ades
* Baruch Ben Haim
* Eliyahu Ben Haim
* Aryeh Deri
* Hayim David HaLevi
* Mordechai Eliyahu
* Yitzhak Kaduri
* Zion Levy
* Yehuda Tzadka
* Ovadia Yosef

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Israel

Other|

* IdRef

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template