Phil Levine has just celebrated his 90th birthday. For most people living to this day is a cause for celebration in it of itself, for Phil it carried even more than that.
There he was celebrating his 90th in Jerusalem, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and being honored for his bravery during Israel’s independence war. Another source of great satisfaction was the presence of one of his grandsons, Meir Walker, a commander in the IDF.
Phil’s big story and strong connection to Israel began a little before Israel declared its independence in 1948 and was still struggling for the right for Jews to move there . Knowing that as Jew it was his duty to protect his people, Phil wasted no time in trying to get a passport. After failing to get one, decided to go to Israel without it and soon after set out to Israel, on an old yacht once belonging to Theodore Roosevelt. After setting sail from United States, the ship traveled to Marseilles, France where it was reassembled and from there traveled to the French city of La Ciotat. In La Ciotat, two hundred and fifty immigrants joined the crew, although diverse in backround the goals were the same, to live in and protect Israel.
After successfully avoiding British blockades, which were set up to prevent Jewish immigrants from coming in, the ship docked in Israel, where Phil began his mission. During Israel’s independence war, he continued his mission, fighting bravely. After the war he traveled back to United States where he married and raised his three children. The dream and mission of living in Israel, was something he always had in his mind, and in 1971, as he had in the past, followed that dream and mission. Since then he has seen his children,grandchildren and great-grandchildren flourish in Israel, with many serving in the IDF.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Phil has the privilege to tell over to his grandchildren his unique story which is also Israel’s story. A story his grandchildren are still taking part in.
