ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 114066 - Translation - Tombstone - USA - New York - Lewis


	The Genealogical Research Division of

About Mission Our Team Get Involved Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself! Research Search All Records Country & Topical Databases Holocaust Database Burial Registry (JOWBR) Cemetery Discovery Project Memorial & Plaques Database Shul Records America Family Trees (FTJP) Sephardic Text Search Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information! Discover Blog Town Finder (Communities Database) Yizkor Books KehilaLinks Regional/Topical Research Divisions JewishGen Press Publications Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today. Learn Online Classes Search Methodologies & Research Advice Student Program in Poland Peter and Mary Kalikow Center Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences. Connect Family Finder Discussion Group Jewish Genealogy Portal ViewMate Success Stories Yahrzeit reminders Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community. Donate General Support Specific Projects Planned Giving Wall of Honor The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Tombstone
Approval Date: 3/25/2026 1:58 PM
Family Surname: Lewis
Country: USA
Town: New York
Date of Image: 1919

Click the picture to enlarge

Hi there!
I'd like to know the Hebrew names, mentioned in this inscription. Thanks for your help!

Response

3/25/2026 2:40 PM

Here lies

my dear husband and our dear father

Mr. MICHEL son of Reb Mordechai Levil [?]

the Cohen

He passed away 4 Cheshvan 5680

May his soul be bound up in the bond of life.
----------------------------------------------------
The name of the deceased was Michel (some people might read this as Michal, which is incorrect, as that is a girl's name). There are various opinions as to the origin of the name Michel, which is a Yiddish name. One obvious possibility is that it is derived from the name Michael; others insist that it is a nickname for the Hebrew name Yechiel.

Reb is an honorific; it does not mean rabbi.

Mordechai is a Biblical name, found in the book of Esther.

The text following Mordechai is a bit unclear, as it is squeezed into the end of the line. It looks most like "Levil". Perhaps it is meant to be the Yiddish name "Laibel", although this would be an unusual way of spelling that name. Perhaps it was meant to be "Leviz" or "Levis", an attempt to render the family name in Hebrew letters.

The deceased and his father were Cohanim (plural of Cohen). A Cohen is a member of the priestly tribe. The first priest was Aaron, Moses' brother, and this designation is passed down from father to son. Cohanim had specific functions in the Temples, and still receive special recognition -- and have special obligations -- today.

The symbol at the top of the stone shows the priestly hands in position to bless the congregation.

ViewMate Posting VM 114066

Submitted by Igor Palti

Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself!

Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information!

Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today.

Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences.

Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community.

The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

ViewMate Posting VM 114066

Submitted by Igor Palti