Colleagues and family mourn Tony Levy
Levy's power was the ability to use compassion and integrity to demonstrate strength.
Tony Levy OAM, community liaison officer at Jewish Care has been described as an outstanding man who had a number of gifts.
Some men use their strength to exert power. Levy’s power was the ability to use compassion and integrity to demonstrate strength.
Levy, who died on November 1 aged 88, was committed to B’nai B’rith Victoria for 40 years and was a past chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission.
Born in South Africa, he became aware of and involved in opposing racial discrimination from an early age.
Levy, his wife Ros and their children, Deborah, Neil and Laurie migrated to Australia in 1978 and joined B’nai B’rith a year later.
Tony and Ros both rapidly became involved and highly respected in B’nai B’rith as well as in the wider Jewish community.
Levy received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through aged care and social welfare organisations.
He was a committed member of the Jewish Care family, whose dedication and contributions to the Victorian Jewish community, including Jewish Care clients and donors, was deservingly recognised by Australia.
Levy was awarded the prestigious General Sir John Monash Award the same year he received his OAM.
He was a dedicated and highly respected role model in the community, with decades of commitment in particular to Jewish Care, B’nai B’rith and the JCCV.
Benny Monheit, president of B’nai B’rith Australia/New Zealand, said, “I remember him chairing an afternoon BB meeting.
“It was a hot summer’s day and people were grouchy, noisy and irritable. Many could not get a nearby car spot to park.
“But when Tony got up to chair the meeting and welcomed everyone in his beautiful clear voice everyone took a deep breath and relaxed and the function was a great success.”
Monheit added, “That was his gift, he understood people and somehow knew how to get the best out of them.
“He was very clear thinking, articulate and very much committed to human rights and trying to make a better world.
“He was a role model for everyone fighting against racism and antisemitism.
“He worked hard and lobbied decision makers nationally and internationally for a better world.”
Levy’s son Laurie spoke about his father’s passion for cricket, not playing it but watching it.
“My parents married on Boxing Day.
“So, every Boxing Day they romantically marked their wedding anniversary in Bay 13 at the MCG watching the Boxing Day Test, either baking in the searing heat or shivering in a Bass Strait blizzard.”
comments