We learned about a hero. He went to Alexander Muss, he studied the same things that I’m studying now, he sat in the same classroom as me. He had the same teacher who told him the same story about Ezekial the prophet and Galut Bavel, the exile to Babylon. He listened to the same lessons that I am listening to now. He went to the wall after climbing down Setaph, after walking past almond trees and after climbing inside a water tunnel. He went to the Dead Sea after climbing Masada, just like I will on Tuesday. He did everything I have done and will do. He witnessed everything I am witnessing. For 8 weeks, he and I are living parallel. He was a hero. He went to HSI and decided he loved Israel. He had so much love and dedication to a country he was not born in, a country he only visited once, that he wanted to defend it. He wanted to protect this country from enemies, from those that wish to harm. He would die for this country. He did die for Israel.        

Michael Levin was from Philadelphia. Born in raised in the City of the Birds and Cheesesteaks. Michael Levin went to Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Michael Levin went on the same tiyul as I am going on, as I have gone on. Michael Levin left Israel proud. He left Israel with a love for it. He made aliyah in 2003. Michael Levin loved this country so much that he went and complained his draft papers had yet to come. When he was not allowed to go into the army, Michael Levin snuck into the recruitment center through a two story window and made it to assignments. Some people feel obligated to enlist, they try to get out fighting. They use an excuse. Sometimes it’s a legitimate reason. Michael Levin could have never served the Israeli army. He could have lived until 80 years old. But Michael Levin snuck into an office to receive his assignment. He volunteered to be a paratrooper. 

Michael Levin died in the 2006 Lebanon War. He was on leave in Philadelphia when two Israeli soldiers were abducted, spending time with his family. Michael Levin felt so offended by the kidnapping, because those were soldiers like him. He got on the first flight to Israel, and was deployed. The higher ups wanted to keep Michael in relative safety. Again, he could have done something to prolong his life. Michael Levin wanted to protect his country. He was able to get to the ground with the rest of his unit. Michael Levin fought on the front lines. On August 1, 2006, Michael Levin was shot through the head. Michael Levin died. We learned about a hero. A hero who had a name, a hero had a life. A hero who did the same thing as I am doing right now. We learned about a hero named Michael Levin.

It is crazy to think it’s only been one week at alexander muss high school in Israel but it feels like it’s been a lifetime. I was nervous to come on this trip but rolling up to alexander muss high school I was blown away by its beauty the automatic warm welcome from our madrahem. The first few days were ruff it was really hard to get used to the time difference but by our first tiyul everything was great.

When people talk about their experiences at the western wall I never understood how someone could feel so much emotion for a wall. However as I listened to Yossi tell stories of past students and their experiences I felt it. As I walked up to put my 4 notes into this wall seeing women, men, and children crying while they prayed my emotions overcame me and I knew that I was meant to be here.