Nissim Levis
Nissim Levis was born in Ioannina in 1875, the fifth child of Davidjon and Hannoula. He was educated in Lausanne, where he finished high school. He then studied at the Sorbonne medical school, graduating in 1899. He remained in Paris for another four years, working at the famous Armand-Trousseau children’s hospital. He adored cars and participated in international car races.
In 1904, Nissim returned to Ioannina, where he lived for the rest of his life, with his father’s family, without getting married and having children. He practiced medicine, honouring the traditional solidarity of the Jewish community of Ioannina, which comprised seven charitable associations.
As a physician, he not only treated patients free of charge one day a week, as other Jewish doctors did, but he provided his services at no cost whenever it was necessary, inspiring the love of all.
He loved the art of photography and took many photographs from the late 19th century until about 1930. His many portraits captured the faces of his beloved relatives at different times and stages of their lives.
He travelled extensively, both in Epirus and abroad, to Italy and France, either accompanied by or to meet his relatives, especially in Paris, where his older brother, Maurice, lived and worked. At the sunset of his life, in 1944, he shared the tragic fate of the Jews of Ioannina.
