This week the Behrman House family bids farewell to Executive Editor Mark H. Levine—a wonderful educator, editor, leader, and friend.
When Mark and I first began discussing his joining us in the fall of 2009, he said his ambition was to change the face of Jewish education. And that he has done. He was the perfect educator and editor to transition this Firm into the rapidly changing educational and publishing worlds—unique in his combination of deep hands-on knowledge of physical book world, experience with the power of the digital world to enhance the educational experience, awareness of the power that the two of them have when combined, and a deep, profound commitment to Judaism and the education of our children.
Under his leadership during the last three years, Behrman House has helped thousands of Jewish educators migrate into the digital educational world. He has launched our Online Learning Center and led the creation of over 1,600 separate digital items for our online Resource Libraries. He has also created several different models for blended book and digital learning materials, most notably the Living Jewish Values and Building Jewish Identity core curriculum series. And he produced a marvelous book exploring the grand tradition of Jewish discourse and discussion, Judaism’s Great Debates.
Mark’s effectiveness comes from his passionate commitment to our collective mission—bringing Jewish heritage and practice to our community. He does it with an awareness of what engages children and adults, and how one can make our rich Jewish heritage meaningful to our lives as Jews and as participants in the world around us, be it the Jewish world or the larger secular community in which we live. He leads with commitment and passion, and he fosters a similar dedication from those who work with him.
Mark has become a friend during his time here, and I and all my colleagues at Behrman House wish him continued success in his lifetime commitment to teaching—which he has manifested at different times in his life through his work with the Greater Washington BJE, in leading the work of Babaganewz, and of course most recently here at Behrman House. His work as a synagogue educator will mean having a more intimate teaching and rabbinic relationship with his local community, which will give him the opportunity to have an even more profound effect on the lives of those around him. I wish for him that his new work be as gratifying for him, and have as much impact, as I know the opportunity for the national reach of our work has been.
Mark Levine and David Behrman on Mark's first day in the Behrman House office, December 2009.
