Remembering Murray H. Levin

 July 28, 1942 – December 18, 2025

Murray H. Levin had been a dear friend of mine for many years. We met during the early years of The Awareness Center (Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Assault).  

Murray originally called The Awareness Center because he wanted to volunteer time and join The Awareness Center’s speakers bureau. 

Because Murray wanted to go public, Murray also invited Phil Jacobs, the former editor in chief of the Baltimore Jewish Times to be present. The three of us met at “David Chu’s, a kosher restaurant in Baltimore, MD. 

During our first meeting Murray shared his experience of being molested by rabbi Ephraim Shapiro when he was twelve. The assault happened over fifty years prior to his disclosure during Bar Mitzvah lessons. 

At the age of 64, Murray no longer wanted to keep silent. He wanted to do his part to prevent one more child from being harmed. 

Between Murray’s tenacity and bravery, Murray became the first Jewish survivor of clergy sexual abuse to provide testimony at a legislative hearing. Murray’s heroic act, gave the go ahead to other Jewish survivors to do the same thing. 

Murray always showed up to legislative hearings and events with his camera. At one hearing, Murray captured Senator Jamie Raskin questioning a church official about the responsibility of the church when it came to sex  crimes

Professionally, Murray was a photographer.  For decades Murray photographed just about every wedding, simcha and special event in the Jewish orthodox world of Baltimore, MD. He had photographs of “The Who’s Who” of just about every single rabbi connected to Ner Israel Rabbinical College and High School, along with members of the Vaad HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Council of Baltimore.  Murray, also photographed Jewish events connected to the reform and conservative movements of Maryland’s Jewish communities.  

After high school, Murray attended both college and law school.  He graduated with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree.

Instead of pursuing a career in law, Murray followed his passion and became an amazing photographer.  Besides being a wedding photographer, he also worked for various law firms, photographing evidence. 

Murray always had his camera with him, and photographed Bob Dylan at a local coffeehouse before Bob Dylan became famous. He also photographed Elton John, and several other rock stars. 

Over the years Murray became a dear and trusted friend, besides becoming my photography coach. He was like a big brother to me.  Both Murray and I had a passion for nature photography, we bonded over our love of capturing the beauty the world had to offer with our camera lenses.  Murray taught me how to see past the ugly.

Murray would pick me up weekly, and we’d go driving around in the countryside of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.  He also took me to Leesburg, VA since I had never been there before. 

In 2009, I was assaulted by my former rabbis older brother, because I pressed charges against the perpetrator and refused to drop them, it became dangerous for me to leave my home without an escort.  As a dear friend, Murray stepped up and acted as one of my bodyguards so I would be safe when I would leave my home. After nearly a decade of living within the eruv of Baltimore, I found I had no choice but move away, and left the state of Maryland. 

Murray and I maintained our friendship over the years, mostly by phone. Every few years I would make my way back to Maryland, and we would go out for a day or two with our cameras like we used to. 

I will always cherish my memories of Murray, and hold them close to my heart.  May Murray Levin’s memory be for a blessing.