(Courtesy of J. Greenstein and Co.) J. Greenstein and Company will be selling the lifetime collection of American Folk Art wooden Torah ark lions and graphics of Daniel Levinson. The Daniel Levinson Collection is being shared in loving memory of Daniel Levinson (1938-2024)
Born in 1938 in Brooklyn, New York, Levinson was the son of Polish immigrants who sought a better life in America. His upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic, resilience, and a deep appreciation for Jewish heritage.
As a young man, Levinson felt a calling to serve his country. He joined the United States Navy, dedicating himself to defending freedom and democracy. His commitment to duty and honor left an indelible mark on those who served alongside him. But perhaps Levinson’s most profound passion was his unwavering Zionism. He believed in the dream of a Jewish homeland—a place where his people could thrive, celebrate their traditions, and contribute to the world.
After serving in the Navy, Levinson felt a calling to make aliyah to Israel—a journey that would shape the rest of his life. In the land of his ancestors, he found love, raised a family, and contributed to the vibrant tapestry of Israeli society; his two boys served as officers in the IDF. Levinson’s love for Russian and Jewish history was unwavering. He immersed himself in the stories, struggles and triumphs of these rich traditions.
His passion extended beyond books; he collected Judaica artifacts, cherishing each piece as a bridge between generations. Each mezuzah, menorah and Torah scroll held significance—a bridge between generations and a testament to faith. His collection was more than objects; it was a testament to resilience, survival and hope. Levinson touched the lives of many, leaving behind a legacy of love, courage and intellectual curiosity. May his memory continue to inspire us all.
Jonathan Greenstein shared: “I met Danny in the 1990s in the 27th Street flea market in Manhattan’s Chelsea market. We bonded over our mutual love and admiration for antique Judaica and remained friends until his passing. He would come visit me in my Brooklyn office to sell me kiddush cups, and for dozens of years, my staff loved him as this sweet and hilarious man. His weekly calls would always start the same way: ‘How you doodle?’ and end with him screaming about the unfair coverage Israel was getting in the media. His love for Israel and the soldiers of the IDF knew no bounds. He had no greater mission in life than to dedicate himself and his endeavors to the welfare of the Israeli soldiers. Whenever we would negotiate over a piece, he would always say, ‘It’s going to the soldiers,’ and I knew it held true.
“The Greenstein family, Abe, as well as the entire Judaica collecting community will forever miss his wit, his humor, his boundless energy and capabilities, and his unwavering defense of the Jewish state,” Greenstein continued. “If there was social media in his time, he would have been the king. I’m proud to represent his collection.”
The auction will be held on Tuesday, September 10 at noon. The entire auction can be viewed at jgreenstein.com
- Greenstein and Co. is located at 417 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY. The office can be reached at 516 295 2931.
- Greenstein & Company, Inc., was founded in 2004 by antique Judaica expert Jonathan Greenstein. For over 40 years, since the age of 14, Jonathan has been the “go-to guy” when it comes to authenticating antique Judaica. The gallery holds a number of Judaica auctions each year and has collectors, museums and other institutions that purchase these ritual objects to build their collections of Jewish art. J. Greenstein & Company, Inc. auction house is exceptionally well respected as experts in antique Judaica and Jewish art.
Greenstein is the founder, president and expert-in-charge at J. Greenstein and Company, Inc., a boutique auction house that only sells antique Jewish ritual objects, also known as Judaica, as well as Jewish themed art.
Greenstein has been featured on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” NBC news with Chuck Scarborough, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Crain’s New York Business, The New Yorker, KTLA Television, The Atlanta Commercial Appeal, The Forward, Reform Judaism Magazine, The Observer, Art Market Magazine, The Miami Herald, Long Island Business News, The Jewish Voice, The Jewish Week, The Times of Israel, The American Bar Association Journal, The Jewish Link, Jewish Business News, The Nassau Herald, The Five Towns Jewish Times, The Huffington Post, The Robb Report, The Motley Fool, CBSNY, The Texas Jewish Herald and many others.
His auction house is famous for auctioning two of Marilyn Monroe’s prayer books, Elizabeth Taylor’s menorah, Sammy Davis Jr.’s personal menorah, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s piano as well as Professor Alan Dershowitz’s Judaica collection. In addition, during the Madoff scandal, he was made famous for selling Rabbi Alexander Schindler’s Judaica pro-bono for his widow.
He can be reached at [email protected] or visit www.jgreenstein.com
