Jack M. Levy Papers

Jack Malitz Levy, past president of the Jewish Educational Alliance and the Savannah Jewish Federation, died January 1, 1988. Mr. Levy, 79, a major figure in the Savannah Jewish and business communities, died at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was chairman of the board of Levy Jewelers, Inc. Levy Jewelry was started in 1900 by Mr. Levy's father, Aaron Levy, a Russian immigrant. Upon his father's death in 1929 the younger Levy took over running the store, and under his management, the firm grew to be one of the leading retail establishments in Savannah.

In 1972 Mr. Levy was awarded Israel's State of Israel Achievement Award for many years of work for the United Jewish Appeal, including serving as chairman. He was a member of the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education and the executive board of the Coastal Empire Boy Scouts. Mr. Levy was a recipient of the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver Award and had the most consecutive years of service of any Scouter in the Coastal Empire. He was vice president of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce, the local chapter of the American Red Cross and United Way. He was past president of the Georgia Retail Jewelers Association and the Downtown Merchants Association. Mr. Levy was a member of the Savannah Historic Review Board and the Alee Temple Shrine where he was past president of the Jesters Unit.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Miriam Slotin Levy of Savannah, a son, Aaron M. Levy of Savannah; a daughter, Mrs. Doris Levy Levy of Wilmington, NC; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral was held on the day of his death. Remembrances: the Jewish Educational Alliance or the Morris Slotin Fund at Alee Shrine Temple. (Source: Savannah Jewish News, January 1988)