In a time when many families are looking for a meaningful way to commemorate their fallen loved ones, the Center for Lone Soldiers in Memory of the late Michael Levin, offers a unique path: "Life Scholarship" - an opportunity to commemorate the memory of the fallen, soldiers and civilians, by supporting discharged lone soldiers who are applying for academic studies.
"Every person who fell left behind not only a family, but also dreams and values," says Lt. Col. (res.) Liora Rubinstein, the center's executive director. "Through the 'Life Scholarship,' families can commemorate their loved ones in a living and lasting way – by opening doors to a better future for discharged lone soldiers."
A commemoration that is a new beginning
The center, established in 2009 in memory of the late lone soldier Michael Levin, who fell in the Second Lebanon War, is a living example of the power of meaningful commemoration. "Each scholarship that opens will tell the story of a fallen soldier, and at the same time write a new chapter in the life of a lone, liberated soldier," explains Rubinstein. "This is a way to continue the mission of our fallen loved ones – to build a stronger Israeli society." The project is led by the president of the association and founder of the program for soldiers without family ties, Drorit Nitzeni.
A circle of giving
The scholarship covers essential expenses such as rent, food, and transportation, allowing discharged lone soldiers to focus on their academic studies. The donating families not only commemorate their loved ones, but also get to be a part of the students' progress, seeing how memory becomes a lever for growth and success.
"At this time, when so many families are looking for a way to commemorate their loved ones, we offer an option that is both memory and action, both pain and hope," Rubinstein concludes. "It's an opportunity to turn memory into something living and breathing, that continues to impact and change lives."
