Michael Levin z"l

Michael Levin z”l 1984 – 2006

Michael Levin made Aliyah from Philadelphia in 2002 and joined the Paratroopers. In the summer of 2006, Michael was given leave to visit his family in the US. Two weeks into his trip, war broke out on Israel’s northern border when Hizbollah ambushed an IDF patrol, killing five reservists and kidnapping Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev while wounded. When Israel crossed the border in an attempt to rescue them, Hizbollah began its assault on Israel, launching thousands of rockets at the communities of nothern Israel.

Michael immediately cut short his vacation and flew back to Israel to serve with his unit. He fought to receive permission to be sent to the north to rejoin his unit. When Michael arrived, his unit was sent to the Hizbollah village of Aita al-Shaab. It was to this Hizbollah stronghold that Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev had been taken two weeks earlier. On Tuesday, August 1, Michael’s unit moved forward and began an intense fire-fight with Hizbollah forces inside the village of Aita al-Shaab. Michael Levin was 22 years old when he fell fighting for the country he loved.

His memory and courage live on in the thousands of lone soldiers who continue down the path Michael set – to make Aliyah, to serve in the IDF, and to build a life in the land of Israel.

Tziki Aud worked for 27 years at the Jewish Agency supporting new immigrants to Israel, in particular lone soldiers. Tziki and Michael became close over the course of Michael’s service. Michael related to Tziki a dream of his, that one day there would be a center for lone soldiers to go to, where they could receive meals, support, and advice throughout their army service. With this background, it did not take much work for the community of lone soldiers to convince Tziki to help us open the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin.