Because of Michael

Michael Levin – soldier, son, brother, friend – was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Michael grew up in a Jewish home filled with a love of Judaism and of Israel. He was active in HaGesher Region United Synagogue Youth (USY) and attended Camp Ramah in the Poconos. During high school, Michael spent two months in Israel with the Alexander Muss Program. Michael’s upbringing and experiences led to, at age 16, a desire and determination to move to Israel and join a front-line combat unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In his Alexander Muss High School yearbook, he wrote:

“You can’t fulfill your dreams unless you dare to risk it all.”

Michael followed his dream in 2003 by immigrating to Israel. Drafting into the IDF, he was accepted into the elite Paratrooper Unit 890. He quickly rose to the rank of First Sergeant, with hopes of becoming a career officer. In the summer of 2006, Michael received permission to visit his family in the US. While home, he watched as Hezbollah targeted Israel, precipitating the Second Lebanon War. Michael immediately made the decision to end his visit and return to be with and fight with his unit. Upon his arrival, he went directly to his commanders and demanded to be sent north to defend his beloved Israel. Seven days later, on August 1, 2006, in the southern Lebanese village of Ayta al-Shaab, Michael’s life was lost to a sniper’s bullet. Michael Levin z”l, was the first paratrooper, and the only American, to die in the Second Lebanon War.

On Tisha B’Av, August 3, 2006, Michael Levin was buried in the cemetery on Mount Herzl. His parents Harriet and Mark, his twin sister Dara, and sister Elisa, were in Israel to bury their son and brother. His parents were not sure that there would be even a minyan of ten people at the funeral. Incredibly, thousands came from all over Israel to mourn and honor Michael’s memory and heroism. Michael Levin was the personification of the word hero; he made the ultimate sacrifice for the Jewish State and the Jewish people.

Lone Soldiers, of which Michael was one, are soldiers in the IDF who do not have immediate family in Israel. Lone Soldiers are counted among the most dedicated and exemplary in the field, though when they are away from base, many struggle with basic needs that a family would normally provide, whether it is clean laundry, a Shabbat meal, care packages or someone to offer advice and guidance.

Established by Michael Levin’s parents, the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation is a U.S. based 501(c)(3) non-profit. We are fulfilling Michael’s dream and our mission of helping Lone Soldiers before, during, and after their service, by providing grants to organizations in Israel that support Lone Soldiers. The Foundation funds a variety of programs and services to serve the unique needs of our Lone Soldiers and to help to create a community for them.

Michael’s memory has continued to be a blessing to the thousands of Lone Soldiers serving in Israel. While they may be called Lone Soldiers, the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation is here to make sure that they are never alone.

The Foundation funds the programs and services most needed by our Lone Soldiers such as:

• One on one mental health counseling for current and veteran soldiers in need.
• Shabbat and holiday meals served to over 1500 Lone Soldiers.
• Assistance for injured or sick Lone Soldiers in quickly seeing a medical specialist.
• Seminars educating Lone Soldiers on discharge benefits, assistance with job search, and CV writing.
• Housing for Lone Soldiers.
• Providing socks, underwear, hats, towels, and toiletry essentials.

The Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation also provides essential support, advice, and resources to parents of Lone Soldiers. Ensuring that their Lone Soldiers are never alone, we make sure that’s true for Lone Soldier parents, too.

The intangible help and support provided to our Lone Soldiers can be as, or more, important than food and socks. Here are but a few of the hundreds of examples of how The Foundation, through the devoted staff of our grantee organizations, helps our Lone Soldiers:

• After a terrorist attack, several veteran Lone Soldiers needed professional mental health assistance. The Foundation was instrumental in finding therapists near their homes to provide counseling at no cost.
• A Lone Soldier home on leave in the U.S. had to have emergency surgery. The Foundation assisted the parents, making sure that they knew who to contact in Israel to get their hospital bills reimbursed.
• A Lone Soldier was hospitalized in Israel with a serious infection. Staff from a Foundation grantee organization went to the hospital to be with the soldier and make sure all necessary treatments were being received.

We know what Lone Soldiers need, and we know how to get those needs taken care of.

We can’t do it without YOU!

By supporting the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation, you can be assured that your donation will provide Lone Soldiers with programs and services that meet their unique and diverse needs.

Your donation makes a real difference in the lives of our Lone Soldiers – thank you!

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