Michael Levin (soldier)

Michael Levin (born February 17, 1984 in Holland, Pennsylvania - died August 1, 2006 in Ayta ash-Shab, Lebanon) was an Israeli soldier who emigrated from the United States and joined the Paratroopers Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces. Following his death in the Battle of Ayta ash-Shab during the 2006 Lebanon War, he became known in Israel and among American Jews as an Israeli national hero.

Michael Levin's grave at Har Herzl

Levin was born to Mark and Harriet Levin. He grew up in Holland, Pennsylvania with his sisters Elisa and Dara. Levin was raised in a Jewish home, attending Camp Ramah, Gratz College, USY High, and Nativ in addition to attending High School in Israel.

As a boy, Levin's family claims that he showed an intense devotion to Israel and Judaism, and described him as "a Zionist to the core". After a number of visits to Israel, Levin decided to immigrate to Israel right after finishing High School, where he joined the Israel Defense Forces, serving in an elite paratrooper unit, #890. He enlisted as a lone soldier, which made him eligible for government funding for an apartment in Jerusalem while on leave, which he shared with two roommates, who were also lone soldiers.

When the Second Lebanon War broke out, he was on leave, visiting his family in America, but immediately returned to Israel. His commanders decided not to send him to Lebanon, but he managed to persuade them to change their minds. On August 1, 2006, Levin was killed in action during the Battle of Ayta ash-Shab. In accordance with his wishes, Levin was buried with full military honors on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Thousands of Israelis from all over the country attended Levin's funeral, and his story was shown on Israeli television. Levin's grave bears the inscription "An American Oleh whose love of G-d and Israel is eternal", and has become a popular site for tourists, as he is regarded as a hero by many in the Jewish communities of America and Israel.^[1] Following his death his friends, and other lone soldiers (with Mark and Harriet's support and blessing) established the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin, which assists Jewish immigrants from around the world serving in the IDF.

Levin's life story is covered in the book A Voice Called: Stories of Jewish Heroism where he appears on the cover. A 45-minute documentary film about his life was directed by Sally Mitlas, titled A Hero in Heaven.

References

1. ^ http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/Michael_Levin_An_Israeli_Hero_for_Our_time.asp

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301539.html
• http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3707793,00.html

External links

• http://lonesoldiercenter.com
• http://www.israelpolitik.org/2008/08/15/remembering-michael-levin/

Persondata
Name	Levin, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 17, 1984
Place of birth
Date of death	August 1, 2006
Place of death