Michael Levine is the recipient of this year’s Harbatzas Torah Award, presented in memory of Rabbi Yehudah Kelemer zt”l.

 

Deeply influenced by Rabbi Kelemer’s Torah leadership, refinement, and extraordinary ability to inspire others to grow, Michael views this recognition with humility and gratitude. Rabbi Kelemer had a profound impact on him and his entire family, and Michael considers it a great honor to accept an award given in his memory.

 

A lifelong member of the West Hempstead community, Michael grew up watching his parents, Arnold and Millie Levine, dedicate themselves to the needs of the shul and the broader community. Inspired by their example, he has devoted decades of service to the Young Israel through leadership roles as an officer, board member, and committee participant, helping support the shul’s mission of fostering spiritual growth through Torah, tefillah, and chesed.

 

For more than thirty years, Michael has served as the gabbai of the 8:30 AM minyan since its founding, an experience that afforded him the privilege of learning daily from Rabbi Kelemer. He has also served as a Yomim Noraim gabbai for decades and has contributed to shaping the shul’s rabbinic leadership, including heading the rabbinic intern search and serving on the committee that selected Assistant Rabbi Abramovitz.

Perhaps most meaningful to Michael is his role in strengthening Torah learning within the community. He is the founder and frequent leader of a weekly Gemara chaburah that has been learning together for more than thirty years and has learned nine masechtot. At Rabbi Kelemer’s encouragement, he also founded the Rabbi Jacob Chiger Daily Mishna class, a shiur that has been running for nearly twenty five years and has already completed Shas two and a half times. Through these shiurim,

 

Michael has helped create enduring opportunities for Torah study that bring together participants of diverse backgrounds in a shared commitment to learning and growth.

 

Michael is deeply grateful to his wife, Simcha, and their children Reuvy and Gabi, Ahuva and Avi, and Chaim and Jen, as well as their grandchildren Caleb, Tyler Jordan, Aaron Jordan/AJ and Mackenzie (Tyler Jordan and Aaron Jordan are both named in honor of Rabbi Kelemer, reflecting the lasting impact he has had on the family and the generations that follow). Their love and support make Michael’s dedication to Torah learning and teaching possible.

 

He hopes that the Young Israel will continue to flourish as a true makom Torah u’mitzvot and that the community will continue to grow in Torah, tefillah, and chesed for generations to come.