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Tzvika Levy

by Nicole from Lod

Tzvika Levy (http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article)
Tzvika Levy (http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article)

Each one of us has a different definition of a hero. Some make a hero out of a person who has had amazing and unbelievable accomplishments. Some out of people who have overcome a tragedy or survived a horrendous calamity. We gaze upon this person, our hero, in absolute astonishment and respect for their actions. There are many types of heroes, but if I had to find a quality which they all share I would say that they inspire us and make us believe that things that we once didn't believe in, are possible. Moreover, I think it is important for someone that we consider a hero to be someone that has made the world better, and did it not for the fame nor the money, but purely just to help and improve something.. anything

Tzvika Levy was born 66 years ago on a kibbutz in Emek Izrael where he lives to this day. Tzvika married Naomi, a girl from his kibbutz in 1974, and they had 5 kids and 5 grandkids. As a result of his 8 month old daughter dying from crib death in 1983, he started volunteering. Tzvika volunteered to collect children from poor and impoverished towns who received exemption from the army and help them. He served as a combat soldier in the Paratroopers unit in the regular army and reserves and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel after he was appointed to oversee the lone soldiers in the kibbutz movement. Lone soldiers are soldiers that come to Israel from abroad to enlist to the IDF in order to help defend our country. These soldiers are called "lone" since they come alone, and have nowhere to live, no way to make money, and no family nearby. Tzvika's goal was to take care of all those soldiers. Eventually he found and supported a loving home for more that 20,000 of them. He is considered a hero by them, by their friends and families and by this entire country. In 2016, he received the rank of Colonel. Tragically In 2015, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, and slowly began to have more and more difficulties functioning. These days he is completely paralyzed, and at some periods is even incapable of speaking. Despite the disease he continues to volunteer and help others.

For the past 30 years, Levy has dedicated his entire life to helping others, with no expectation of getting something in return. For example, every birthday he invites thousands of people from all over the country and donates all the presents to the soldiers he is taking care of. He is such a strong man and dealing with the disease has made everything harder, but he remains strong. In an interview he had two months ago he said: "Before the illness, I worked 16 hours a day, I gave all my heart and time to the soldiers, and it was the thing that made me the happiest person in the world, now I cannot move, but I always try and find ways in which I can continue helping." A member of the Israeli parliament said, "There is a vacuum in the issue of lone soldiers, and the force of one man entered that vacuum. You represent the values of solidarity and giving in Israel. In the 68 years of its existence, Israel is a wonder, because of people like you." In my opinion, he has done so much good that I believe that he deserves his nickname "Father of the soldiers", and deserves the title of a hero since he helped these individuals so much and benefited the safety of Israel

I feel extremely connected to Tzvika. Although he has never helped me personally, I can see so clearly how his many good deeds have affected others, that I am grateful. I think he is an amazing person and that each one of us should have at least a bit of the kindness, selflessness, and physical and emotional strength, which he has. His debilitating disease that would have desolated the average person, seems to have intensified Tzvika's determination and intrepidity. He inspires me in many ways and I believe that we should all be thankful that such people exist because I do not know what the world would look like without them.

Page created on 5/7/2017 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/7/2017 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

Tzvika Levy's Lone Soldiers - is father and friend to the soldiers of the IDF, who are far away from home.
Tzvika Levy and the Lone Soldiers Program - the good people fund