It is with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart that I write about my beloved former student First Sgt. MICHAEL LEVIN, 21 who was killed in action on August 1, 2006, in Lebanon. Michael, or as I lovingly called him “MEL”, attended the February 2001 session of USY High at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel.

As a fellow Philly boy, Poconos Ramah camper & a member of Hagesher Region USY, where I served as Regional President in 1973-74, Mike & I shared special bonds together and became dear friends.

Dave and Mike Levin ז"ל July 2006 Mike Levin ז"ל second from the right, and his friends at Norman's Steak'n Burger. Click on picture to enlarge Yossi and Mike

He was a A+ student & human being with a passionate love for Israel & Judaism. Mike had a great sense of humor and was one of the most loving, caring, kind human beings I ever met. He loved sports and was big fan of Philly teams.

In our many serious discussions together Mike expressed his love for Israel and said that he felt he had an obligation to serve his people. Mike was a true man of action and followed up on his Zionist ideals.

He made Aliya and volunteered for an elite combat unit and then earned the red beret of the Israeli Paratroops. Michael, like all Chayyalim Bodidim ("Lonely Soldiers"- immigrant soldiers without family in Israel), recieved permission to visit his family in Philadelphia which he did in July 2006. When he heard , however, that war had broken out with the Hezbollah, Michael cut his visit short and rushed back to join his comrades at arms. A fierce battle broke out between Israeli Paratroopers from the 101st Battalion and Hezbollah terrorists in the southern Lebanese village of Ayta-al-Shaab.

The Israeli soldiers fought courageously and killed over 20 Hizbullah commandos but sadly 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in battle: Lt. Ilan Gabbai,22 of Kiryat Tivon, St.Sgt. Yonaton Einhorn, 22 of Moshav Gimzo and our beloved 21 year old hero from Philly- Michael Levin.

Mike is buried on Mt Herzl in his beloved Jerusalem. Five years ago we stood together in that same cemetery, on the last day of USY High, at the grave of Yoni Netanyahu and talked about Yoni’s legacy to us of Jewish pride & strength and commitment to the People & State of Israel.

Like Yoni, Michael embodied all these qualities. Like Yoni he fell as a hero in defense of Am Yisrael. Yoni once wrote that he saw himself as a link in the chain of Jewish existence and Israel’s independence. Michael Levin died as a hero in an effort to strengthen that chain. His legacy to us demands we never let that chain break.