— the sculpture No. 2 in the series A Traveling Tombstone

On 28. October 2022, there will be the third anniversary of the death of outstanding historian Paul A. Levine. Therefore, I am especially grateful to present the next stone in the series A Traveling Tombstone dedicated to him.

Entering History, Paul A. Levine—historian, author, and teacher—left behind outstanding work and his unique archive with several unfinished writings, enriching lectures, and other important materials, as well as an epitaph for his headstone: “Responsible Irresponsibility”. Because of Levine’s headstone-less burial place, the project A Traveling Tombstone was started to commemorate his legacy. (Read more about the project A Traveling Tombstone – the idea.)

The first sculpture in the series, Tevat Paul, is followed now by the next one, named “BEYAHAD LO NI-PAUL” (Together we will not fall). The new sculpture is a true masterpiece, created by the sculptor Robert Schmidt-Matt in his quiet Innenhof-Dachboden studio, in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The presented piece of art is conceived and created with the remarkably unique Jerusalem stone. The historian’s epitaph and his name—RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBILITY Paul A. Levine 1956-2019—are carved into the sculpture’s stone.

Overwhelmed with feelings of joy and sadness, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, to everyone who supported me and this project with their ideas, words, and deeds.

A few more words about the name BEYAHAD LO NI-PAUL: we owe it to Paz Einat, a molecular biologist and chess problem author from Israel. BEYAHAD LO NI-PAUL (ביחד לא ניפול) means in Hebrew “together we will not fall”, with a word-play on Paul’s name: BEYAHAD LO NI-PAUL instead of LO NIPOL: the Hebrew word (ni)POL is spelled the same as the name Paul. “There are various slogans around this one, meaning: together we stand”, suggests Paz Einat; “maybe the one related to Masada is the closest. Although it doesn’t have the word ‘together’-שנית מצדה לא תיפול – the exact meaning is: Masada will not fall a second time. And it broadly refers to the state of Israel – it will not fall again”.

And so, Levine’s work continues. (Read more about the Initiative Paul A. Levine Library) The memory of Paul A. Levin lives on in the hearts of many (join our fb group).

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Yours,
Elena Medvedev

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