Michael Levin was a lone soldier from Pennsylvania who fell in the Second Lebanon War. His mentor Tziki Aud, instrumental in establishing the center in Michael's memory, was seated at the head of the table and was one of the speakers.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata also participated in the session. Members of Knesset who attended and spoke included Yitzhak Ze'ev Pindrus of United Torah Judaism and Idit Silman Chair, Arrangements Committee of Yamina.

Acknowledging that support of lone soldiers is one area where the Knesset is united, MKs from across the political spectrum also including Tatiana Mazarsky, Eitan Ginzberg, Nira Shefek, Yair Golan, and Moshe Tur-Paz. All expressed the need for government initiatives such as increased funding and post-army assistance for lone soldiers.

Michael's parents Harriet and Mark Levin were able to return to Israel, be present at the Knesset, and go to the Har Herzl Military Cemetery on Friday morning for his 15th yahrzeit observance.

“Every society creates its own heroes,” said Dr. David “Dudu” Rotman, professor of Jewish and Comparative Folklore at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. “We read it in Pirkei Avot. Ben Zoma said, ‘Who is strong? Who is Chodesh? He who overcomes his inclinations…”  Every language has its own words to define and describe a person that shows strength, who stands out, and who is out of the ordinary. These are the heroes that society looks up to. Michael Levin was such a person.”

Dr. Zohar Raviv, International VP of Education for Taglit-Birthright Israel, spoke of the continuing impact lone soldiers have on Israel-Diaspora relations. Hundreds of Birthright groups have gone to Michael's grave as part of their Israel experience tours.

A senior news anchor at i24News, David Matlin, was one of the former lone soldiers given the opportunity to speak.

Unity and emotional messages were expressed with strong words of support from Knesset members across the political spectrum.

“A voice called, and I went. I went, for the voice called,” Biton quoted from a poem by the late Hannah Senesh, the heroic Hungarian Jewish resistance fighter opening the session. “The sacrifice lone soldiers make for the state, even more than any other soldier, and their choice to serve when they are alone in the country deserves special recognition and appreciation by Israeli citizens in general and the Israeli government in particular because they are a real strategic asset to the state. This conference is intended to strengthen them and  create additional initiatives to help them during their service, and even more so after their release.”   

Biton announced the formation of a Knesset lobby group to advocate on behalf of lone soldiers in his closing remarks.

“We are overwhelmed by the unanimous outpouring of support and the recognition that lone soldiers are a  strategic asset for the State of Israel,” said Michal Berman, CEO of the LSC. “We thank all the Knesset members who came to express their support for Israel’s new pioneers and welcome the initiatives announced today. The LSC will continue to advocate for these amazing young  men and women, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed during and after they complete  their army service.” 

More money should be designated to help lone soldiers succeed and thrive in Israel away from their families. Hopefully, this event initiated by the LSC will help thousands of new young pioneers who arrive. 

“I stand before you with reverence and pride for the young man who gave his life for the country he loved,”  said Michael’s father, Mark Levin, thanking the Knesset for hosting the conference and honoring his son’s memory as the final speaker. “History cast its vote and chose Michael, who followed his dream and embraced his destiny by fulfilling it. As long as there are young passionate Zionists like Michael, Israel will live forever.”

A former practicing accountant, who taught for 14 years at Ohr Somayach, Rabbi Shalom Myers, headed the Mechina program before founding the Emek Lone Soldier Center to help religious lone soldiers.  Myers shared with BJL he was invited to attend the Knesset session through a committee of non-profits that support lone soldiers.

A friend who served with Michael, Eliezer  Morgenstern summed up “Michael was an inspirational figure who left a legacy that continues to inspire so many.

All stood and sang HaTikvah to conclude the emotional program.

There are currently 7,000 lone soldiers in the IDF from the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, European Union, South America, and the Former Soviet Union, as well as Israelis who are estranged from their families.