Page 2 - The Jewish Voice - September '23

Page 2, The Jewish Voice
H. Irwin Levy, One of Palm Beach County’s Most

Prominent Individuals, Founder of Century Village

and Patriarch of Jewish Community, Passes Away at 97

One of the most impactful boom, particularly among the Jewish community. He was CEO his local community, he transformed Palm Beach into a thriving
individuals in the history of and chair of the board of Cenvill Communities Inc. from 1969. Jewish community with a flourishing Federation and imparted
the Palm Beaches, Israel, and Irwin’s ambition led him to build three additional Century Village his love for Israel to his children and grandchildren.”
on global Jewry, H. Irwin properties and Wynmoor Village. Cenvill was the largest builder Natan Sharansky, the legendary refusenik and Soviet political
Levy passed away at the age of condominiums in the U.S., responsible for the creation and prisoner who went on to become deputy prime minister of Israel
of 97 on July 31, 2023, in management of more than 37,000 homes across South Florida. and chair of The Jewish Agency, added that Irwin’s “initiative
West Palm Beach, surrounded Through his unparalleled foresight and innovative thinking, helped persuade leaders in the United States to actively support
by his loving family. He was in partnership with his late wife Jeanne S. Levy, Irwin played the rescue and absorption of nearly a million Jews.”
a devoted husband, father, a pivotal role in transforming the Palm Beaches into a thriving Irwin Levy’s remarkable accomplishments garnered
grandfather, great-grandfather, Jewish community. Their efforts extended beyond the local widespread recognition and acclaim, earning him numerous
visionary businessman and the community through their deep commitment to support millions accolades in the Jewish community. In 1996, Irwin was honored
patriarch of the Palm Beaches’ around the globe. with the prestigious title of Man of the Century by the Palm Beach
Jewish community. Irwin and Jeanne were devoted parents to their two children, Jewish Times. He received the National Scopus Award from the
Born in 1926 and raised while also taking on the roles of “parents” of Jewish Palm American Friends of Hebrew University, Visionary Leadership
in Scranton, PA, Irwin enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Beach by establishing a network of Jewish organizations Award from The Jewish Agency for Israel, and the John C.
1944. Following the war, he obtained a bachelor’s degree from to support the community. Irwin was a founding leader of Randolph Award from the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians
Penn State University, going on to attend Cornell University Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, the Mandel Jewish and Jews. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County recently
law school. After marrying Jeanne Siskin, Irwin recognized a Community Center, Meyer Jewish Preparatory School, Joseph showcased an exhibit to Irwin and his family highlighting their
promising future in Florida and decided to complete his final L. Morse Geriatric Center, The Kravis Center, and Palm Beach significant contributions.
year of law school at the University of Miami Law School, Fellowship of Christians and Jews. He was a past-president His immediate family, including his wife, Ellen; son Mark
where he earned his juris doctorate. He became a member of of Temple Beth El in West Palm Beach and a member and F. Levy; daughter Lynn L. Peseckis; daughter-in-law Stacey
the Florida and the Palm Beach County Bar and remained a supporter of Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach as well as K. Levy and son-in-law Frank Peseckis, continue his legacy
member for 70 years. Throughout his esteemed legal career, continuing the legacy of his own father, Jacob Levy, with of leadership.
Irwin gained recognition as a prominent lawyer, showcasing support for Temple Israel in Scranton. Irwin married Ellen Schwartz in 1994 and was a
his expertise by successfully arguing cases before the U.S. and Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of Jewish Federation devoted husband and stepfather to Ellen’s children and her
Florida Supreme Courts. He also handled major business and of Palm Beach County, shared, “Irwin was a trailblazer and grandchildren. Together they made multiple significant
real estate restructurings and took companies public. Levy also pioneer of this community. He exhibited brilliant vision, contributions to the Kravis Center, the Promise Fund of Florida,
formed a renowned law firm in Palm Beach that continued long selfless leadership, savvy business skills, and overwhelming The Society of the Four Arts, and MorseLife Health System,
after he stopped actively practicing law in 1969. kindness and generosity throughout his lifetime. It was his among many other charities.
Irwin and his first wife, Jeanne (who passed away in unequaled foresight and ingenuity that built what we have In addition to Ellen, he is survived by his daughter and
1990), relocated to the Palm Beaches in 1951. Driven by his here today in the Palm Beaches, one of the most thriving local son-in-law Lynn Levy Peseckis and Frank Peseckis of Singer
visionary mindset and professional talents, Irwin embarked on a Jewish communities in the world.” Island; his son and daughter-in-law Mark F. Levy and Stacey
groundbreaking endeavor by establishing Cenvill Communities Irwin was also a fervent supporter of Israel. He was directly K. Levy of Palm Beach Gardens; grandchildren Noah Peseckis
and developing Century Village in West Palm Beach. This responsible for securing $1.6 billion in U.S. grants to rescue of Jupiter and Sara (Lawrence) Peseckis of Greenwood Village,
landmark project sparked a new industry and fueled a population nearly one million persecuted Jews from the former Soviet Union CO; Jourdan (John) Levy Bizanes of Jupiter and Joshua Levy
and Ethiopia to Israel. Irwin’s passionate involvement extended of New York City; great-grandchildren Liam, Evan and Ari
to global organizations such as National United Jewish Appeal, Peseckis and William and Blake Bizanes; and Ellen’s children
Community Contributes Record $55 Million from page 1 United Israel Appeal, The Jewish Agency for Israel, American Adam (Lauren) Schwartz and Lara Lerner and their seven
Friends of Hebrew University, City of David in Jerusalem, and children. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Lillian and
the midst of historic population growth, we are grappling with the renowned think tank The Washington Institute for Near East Ceil Levy, brother-in-law Phillip Siskin and his wife, Leah
a surge of new community needs on top of existing challenges. Policy. Additionally, he and his first wife created the Jeanne and Siskin, and many loving nieces and nephews, grand nieces and
Our ability to take on emerging issues comes from a position of Irwin Levy Day Care Center in Hod Hasharon, Israel, leaving a nephews. He was predeceased by his four brothers Bernard,
strength that we have worked hard to achieve at Federation. We lasting impact on the lives of young children in the region. Myron, Benjamin, and Robert Levy.
are focused on strengthening our community today, tomorrow, “Irwin’s vision and his contributions of time and resources In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jewish
and forever.” to the Jewish Agency and the global Jewish people have been Federation of Palm Beach County, 1 Harvard Circle, Ste. 100,
Federation’s annual campaign fuels the organization’s inspiring,” shared Amira Ahronoviz, director general and CEO, West Palm Beach, FL 33409; The Washington Institute for
network of local and global partners and programs. Partner The Jewish Agency for Israel. “His staunch advocacy to support Near East Policy, 1111 19th Street NW - Suite 500, Washington
organizations include Alpert Jewish Family Service, Hillel of global Jewry assured the aliyah of tens of thousands of olim D.C. 20036, or Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, 57
Broward and Palm Beach, Kramer Senior Services (MorseLife (immigrants) from the Former Soviet Union to Israel, while in West 57th Street, Suite 904, New York, NY 10019.
Home Care), Mandel JCC, Meyer Jewish Preparatory School,
Birthright Israel, JDC, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Friedman
Commission for Jewish Education, Jewish Community Relations
Council, Kohl JVC, Meyer JCF, and Palm Beach Center to Are you ready for Advanced
Combat Antisemitism & Hatred.
Additional highlights during the 2023 campaign year
included several commitments from community visionaries with Cataract Surgery?
Federation’s Campaign for the Future, the largest fundraising IV-Free  Hassle-Free  Office-Based Surgery
effort in Jewish Palm Beach’s history. This comprehensive
fundraising campaign seeks to grow annual fundraising for
today, increase the number of multi-year pledges for tomorrow,
and create new endowments to forever meet the needs of our
growing community.
Heading into the 2023-2024 season, Federation is planning
a robust schedule of events. This includes the highly anticipated
Celebrating Philanthropy on Monday, December 4, a festive
evening at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, hosted by
Susan Shulman Pertnoy, William A. Meyer, and Federation’s
Board of Directors. This annual event represents one of the first
opportunities for the community’s stakeholders to gain insights
into the future of our growing Jewish community and actively
participate in shaping it. The event will feature speakers including
Mayim Bialik, acclaimed actress, TV host, and author known for
iconic roles in Blossom, The Big Bang Theory, and Jeopardy!
The season also features the first of the Business &
Professionals Speaker Series on Thursday, October 5, at
5:30 p.m. at Venture X at The Square in West Palm Beach, Our Private Surgery Suite is State-of-the-Art Technology
featuring Brian Bandell, real estate editor for the South Florida
Business Journal, who will share his insights on the real estate over 2000 successful
transformations unfolding in the Palm Beaches, aligning IV-Free surgeries to date
with Federation’s strategy to shape our community’s future
by propelling our local community as a hub of Jewish life, Online mittlemaneye.com
leadership, and innovation in North America. Email info@mittlemaneye.com
The Kohl JVC also will be seeking volunteers for its annual Text or Call 561.500.2020
8 Days, 8 Ways of Giving Back events throughout December
to honor the miracle of lights by volunteering to help people in Voted Best of PB 5 years! How can we help?
need in all corners of Palm Beach County.