Isaak Levy, a Jewish physician born in Königsberg in 1759, first studied medicine in his hometown before completing his studies in Frankfurt/Oder with a doctorate; he had a long career at the hospital and poorhouse in Potsdam. From 1814 onward, he called himself Lehwess, though he did not convert. With his wife Zipporah, née Lippmann of Berlin, he had six sons and one daughter. Dr. Lehwess died in Potsdam in 1836. His grave is marked today by a small marker.

The painter Susanne Henry, née Chodowiecki (1763–1819), painted a portrait of the then-young family around 1800. The painting was housed at the Jewish Museum Berlin and was photographed in 1934 by the photographer Abraham Pisarek. Today, the painting is considered lost. Pisarek’s photograph can be viewed at the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw.

Photo: Tim Peppel

Text: Prof. Dr. Ruth Leiserowitz