Blog Archives

Yom Kippur final stage of repentance

By Lu Ann Franklin
Published by The Times of Northwest Indiana – September 13, 2013

At sundown on Friday, those of the Jewish faith began observing Yom Kippur, the holiest of the High Holy Days, with prayer, music and religious services.

Called the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur ends the … More

Posted in Articles, Newspaper Articles

Rosh Hashanah begins Jewish High Holy Days

By Lu Ann Franklin
Published by The Times of Northwest Indiana – September 3, 2013

The most sacred 10 days in Jewish spiritual life begin at sundown Wednesday, echoing back through history more than 5,500 years and ahead to the future.

Rosh Hashanah, called the Day of Judgment, begins a … More

Posted in Newspaper Articles

Rabbi-in-Residence – Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at the University of St. Thomas and the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, MN

As part of his residency, Rabbi Mordechai Levin, who met fellow Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio before he became Pope Francis, delivered a lecture titled “Pope Francis and the Jewish People: From Catholic-Jewish Relations in Argentina to Catholic-Jewish Relations around the World.”

The Jay Phillips Center’s rabbis-in-residence program promotes the study … More

Posted in Uncategorized

The Power of Memory

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – July 27, 2013

Several years before I came to America from Argentina, a friend wrote to me about some Russian Jews who had immigrated to the United States. The Russians, he told me, were curious to find out about … More

Posted in Articles, Newspaper Articles

Lost in the Forest

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – June 15, 2013

A man had been wandering in the forest for several days, not knowing the way out. When he suddenly saw another man walking toward him, he was filled with joy.

“Now I shall find my way … More

Posted in Newspaper Articles

Rabbi Mordechai Levin Discusses Pope Francis

Published by B’nai B’rith International

B’nai B’rith Omaha’s Henry Monsky Lodge calls its signature program “Breadbreakers.” It takes place over lunch during the noon hour. Every Wednesday. It has gone on for over 60 years, at least 49 times a year.

It is a friendship-building, brand-promoting B’nai B’rith educational program, … More

Posted in Articles, Newspaper Articles

Freedom has responsibilities

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – April 5, 2013

The festival of Pesach — known as Passover in English — concluded several days ago. During this holiday, we remember that around 3,200 years ago, our ancestors freed themselves from Egyptian slavery and returned to the … More

Posted in Articles, Newspaper Articles

Omaha rabbi got preview of future pope during their years in Buenos Aires

By Michael O’Connor
Published by the Omaha World Herald – March 19, 2013 – Page 1 – Page 2

From the pulpit of an 18th century cathedral in Argentina, he preached the importance of treating all people with justice, no matter their race, religion or income.

The speaker was Pope … More

Posted in Uncategorized

New pope is an old friend of the Jewish community

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by JTAJewish Journal of Los Angeles , St. Louis Jewish Light and B’nai B’rith International – March 18, 2013

Before immigrating to the United States from Argentina, I was invited several times on national public holidays to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires … More

Posted in Articles, Newspaper Articles

Amazing Generosity

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – March 9, 2013

This week, we read in the Hebrew Bible about the building of the Tabernacle, the provisional sanctuary that accompanied our ancestors during their journey in the desert from Egypt to the land of Israel. Moses asked … More

Posted in Articles, Newspaper Articles

Rabbi Levin is the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Munster, IN. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, and is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly. In 2010, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City for his years of dedicated service to the Conservative movement and the Jewish community...Full bio