LEVIN, THEODORE

LEVIN, THEODORE (1897–1971), U.S. federal district court judge. Born in Chicago, Levin was appointed by President Truman in 1946 to the federal district court in Michigan. From 1959 to 1967 he was chief judge of the eastern district federal court of Michigan, remaining on the court until his death. Levin gave important aid to immigrants. He led the legal fight against an alien registration act which, in 1931, mainly thanks to his efforts, was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. circuit court of appeals, and cooperated actively with local and national agencies aiding immigrants. He started a sentencing counseling system in federal courts. A lifelong Zionist, Levin, who was deeply involved in Jewish organizational work, held numerous national and local offices. At one time, he was president of the Detroit Jewish Welfare Federation, United Jewish Charities, and the Council of Social Agencies. He was a board member of many organizations, among them the Joint Distribution Committee and the National Refugee Service. (Frederick R. Lachman)