David Levitus
Not to be confused with David Clive Levitus from the Glasgow based Levitus family.
Glasgow-born Jewish community figure in Sydney, Australia
| David Levitus | |
| Born | Template:Circa Glasgow, Scotland |
|---|---|
| Died | |
| Nationality | Australian (immigrant from Scotland) |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Community figure |
| Known for | Involvement in Sydney Jewish community |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | Rebecca Levitus |
| Children | 8, including Albert Levitus |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
David Levitus (born 1882, Newington, Edinburgh) was a Glasgow-born Scottish immigrant who settled in Sydney, Australia, and became a notable figure in the local Jewish community in Bondi. He was known for his connections to family in Scotland, including his nephew Dr Jack Miller of Glasgow.[1][2] He was the3 sone of Solomon Levitus and Agnes Levitus and his Edinburgh, then Glasgow, based siblings included Harry Levitus, Emanuel Levitus and Samuel Levitus - all of whom were involved in Zionism, business and criminality in Glasgow.
Life and family
David Levitus emigrated from Glasgow, Scotland, to Cape Town where he was involved in Zionit politics including, in 1903, being involved in the founding of the Grand Order of Israel, Lord Milner Lodge, No. 21. His son Albert Levitus was born there. He subsequently moved to Sydney, Australia, where he lived in Bondi and was active in the Jewish community. Newspaper records from the 1960s highlight his family ties in Scotland.[3] He married Rebecca Levitus, and they had eight children, including the lawyer Albert Levitus.[1]
Son Albert Levitus
Albert "Albie" Levitus (born circa 1910 in Cape Town) was David's son and a prominent Sydney solicitor whose career was marred by scandals leading to disbarment and imprisonment.[4]
Legal career and disbarment
Albert practiced law in Sydney during the 1930s and 1940s. He was disbarred following professional misconduct.[5]
Conspiracy case (1941)
In 1941, Albert was charged with conspiracy alongside Ronald Bruce Walker (former M.L.A.), William Kingsley Wicks (accountant), and Clive Oscar Airey (traveller). The case involved financial fraud. Albert was found guilty and sentenced to five years' imprisonment, while Walker received three years with a recommendation for mercy, and Airey was acquitted.[4][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Forbes Case (1944)
Albert was involved as a witness in the "Forbes Case" in 1944, a major Sydney scandal involving John Woolcott Forbes, where he testified in proceedings that made headlines.[5][12][10][13][14]
See also
Albert Levitus Sydney Jewish community
External links
- Flora Levitus Family History on MyHeritage
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 MyHeritage, Flora Levitus Family History & Historical Records MyHeritage, accessed February 27, 2026.
- ↑ OzTorah, Jewish scholarship in Sydney between the Wars: Part II OzTorah, July 2011.
- ↑ National Library of Israel, Zionist Reception to Mr. David Brown — The Australian Jewish Chronicle National Library of Israel, November 11, 1924.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Trove, CONSPIRACY VERDICT Trove, June 19, 1941.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Trove, LEVITUS A WITNESS IN FORBES CASE Trove, March 9, 1944.
- ↑ Trove, CONSPIRACY CASE RESUMED Trove, April 17, 1941.
- ↑ Trove, CONSPIRACY TRIAL Trove, May 27, 1941.
- ↑ Trove, Conspiracy Case Concluded Trove, July 24, 1940.
- ↑ Trove, CONSPIRACY CHARGE Trove, May 27, 1941.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Trove, FORBES TOOK £20,696 BEFORE LEAVING Trove, March 16, 1940.
- ↑ NewspaperArchive, Kempsey Macleay Chronicle Archives, Jun 25, 1941, p. 6 NewspaperArchive, June 25, 1941.
- ↑ Trove, DRAMATIC DENIALS BY FORBES Trove, March 15, 1944.
- ↑ Trove, Payment Of Woolcott Forbes'e Income Tax Trove, June 1, 1944.
- ↑ NewspaperArchive, Sydney Sun Newspaper Archives, Jun 20, 1944, p. 3 NewspaperArchive, June 20, 1944.