Aug 3, 2006 10:40 am US/Eastern
Soldier With Local Ties Killed In Lebanon
by Todd Quinones
PHILADELPHIA (AP) ―
A former Pennsylvania man was among three Israeli soldiers killed in fighting in Lebanon earlier this week, the army said Wednesday.
Michael Levin, 22, emigrated to Israel about four years ago, according to family friend Richard Waloff, who lives down the street from Levin's parents in the Philadelphia suburb of Holland.
Levin first went to study and live on a kibbutz, then joined the Israeli military's paratrooper unit, said Waloff, 56.
Levin, who graduated from Council Rock High School in 2002, cut short a visit to his family four days ago and returned to join his unit.
Waloff was traveling with his family to Israel on Wednesday for Levin's funeral. He said Levin was involved in Jewish causes throughout his life, including a local synagogue youth group.
"He had a dream and a desire and a need from the time that he was about 15 to go to Israel," Waloff said.
Levin died during fighting with Hezbollah in Ayta A-Shab in southern Lebanon, north of Biranit, according to the Israeli army's Web site.
Levin's family was informed of his death Tuesday by their rabbi, Jeff Schnitzer, and a member of the Israeli consulate in Philadelphia, Schnitzer said.
"He didn't do this to be a hero, although he is," said Schnitzer, who leads Congregation Tifereth Israel of Lower Bucks County. "He did this because he really believed in what Israel is and what it stands for."
He described Levin as "a very bright young man" with a great sense of humor.
"He would debate you in everything from how you wore your shoes to how you observe Jewish law ... and not it a malicious way, but just through the desire to learn," Schnitzer said.
Mike Ehrlich, 51, who hosted Levin at Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi after he first arrived in Israel, described Levin as a "doer" who "never took the easy way out."
Levin is survived by his parents and two sisters—one his twin who are on their way to Israel.
Levin will be buried at the Mount Herzl military cemetery on Thursday.
A memorial service will be held Monday at Shir Ami synagogue in Newtown.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem could not immediately confirm any details.
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