Interested in taking a deeper look at your life’s journey?
The Memory Chest creates a reflective conversation of painting and poetry. Hoping to find creative expression as you get ready for what’s next?

The Memory Chest

A Conversation of Poetry and Painting

by Robert F. Leventhal

With an unmistakable voice and profound depth, Robert Leventhal’s The Memory Chest is a captivating collection of poetry that traverses the landscapes of history, nature, politics, and emotion. Each poem is a reflection on love and loss, approached with a vulnerability that touches the heart, and on the prospect of aging with a blend of optimism and gratitude. Leventhal’s years of leadership in the Jewish community infuse his work with biblical language and wisdom, adding layers of meaning and resonance.

Leventhal’s poems invite readers to journey through centuries of human experience, contemplating what it means to be alive today. The accompanying artwork enhances this exploration, creating an elegant dialogue between visual art and poetry. There is a deep reverence within many of these works, balanced by Leventhal’s lightheartedness and zest for life, which shine through in every word and brushstroke.

"We affectionately called my father Harry, the Bear," writes Robert Leventhal. "Big, garrulous, and gruff, he cast a big shadow. I would struggle to determine how to be my own kind of bear."

Swept Away

From Family Broom Business
to Synagogue Consulting

by Robert F. Leventhal

In Swept Away: From Family Broom Business to Synagogue Consulting, Robert Leventhal shares the compelling story of his journey from managing his family’s broom and mop business in Springfield, Ohio, to becoming a renowned synagogue leadership consultant in New York City. This memoir is a tribute to the father-son relationship that shaped Leventhal’s life and a testament to his quest to find his own path.

Leventhal spent 23 years working in his family business, which evolved into O-Cedar-Vining cleaning products. After the business was sold, he stayed on for five years with the new owners before resigning to explore his Jewish communal interests. This exploration led him to roles as a seventh-grade religious school teacher, a Jewish day school president, and a Federation leader. These experiences inspired him to combine his business acumen with his growing passion for Jewish learning, leading to a successful career as a synagogue consultant.