In His Own Words: Marc A. Levin
Marc Levin
I first became involved in the Miami Jewish community when I moved to Coral Gables with my family in the fifth grade. My experiences were first shaped by my involvement with Temple Judea Youth Group, spending a summer in Israel and also through Hillel during my freshman year at University of Miami.
My Jewish connection, however, started at a much younger age thanks to my Zayde, Joseph, who was originally a baker in Bialystok, Poland, and also my mother, Beatrice. My first Jewish memories were celebrating the Jewish holidays with them. It was through my Zayde and my mother that I developed a passion for Jewish music and Yiddishkeit and grew up on the music of the Yiddish theater, Israeli culture and Broadway.
Raised in a family of proud Zionists, I have always had a strong love for Israel. I became a Bar Mitzvah on June 10, 1967, which was also the last day of the Six-Day War. When I was 17, I spent a summer in Israel, which I can only describe as transformative and it deepened the bond I felt to my Jewish homeland. It was truly life-changing to experience that feeling again when I took my niece with me on Federation’s 2012 Israel Mega Mission.
I am a firm believer in the importance of tzedakah, family and Jewish tradition. There are so many charitable organizations to support, but Jews are primarily the only ones who will support other Jews. That is why I have been so supportive of Jewish causes. I’ve also been very involved in LGBT, arts and political issues through organizations like Keshet, Miami Jewish Film Festival and the South Florida Jewish Chorus, of which I am the Founder. Being both gay and Jewish has given me a unique perspective and sensitivity to what it feels like to be a minority.
Although I don’t have children of my own, I feel a great responsibility for taking care of the next generation of Jews — L’dor V’dor. As a 40-plus year contributor to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation UJA/Annual Campaign, I am extremely passionate about their work to strengthen Jewish life and invest in programs that build Jewish knowledge, identity and peoplehood. It is why I’m also so involved with the University of Miami Hillel, March of the Living and Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach as a Board Member.
It is important to me that the legacy I create reflects my current charitable priorities. That is why I chose to make such a significant gift to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation in my will. I know my Jewish values and my love for Jewish music and culture will live on in this community through my legacy commitment.
