On Sunday 25 Tammuz the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin, together with Evie and Stuart Steinberg, hosted a hachnasas Sefer Torah, written in memory of their son Max Steinberg HY”D, who fell fighting in Operation Protective Edge in Gaza last summer.

The Lone Soldier Center is a support center Max relied upon for meals and friendship during his IDF service. Max Steinberg was inspired by Michael Levin’s life story and sacrifice and referred to him as one of his heroes. Tragically, Max is buried a few rows away from Michael at the Har Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem.

The Torah dedication ceremony was attended by the head of the Golani Brigade, the head of Max’s battalion, Golani 13, other high IDF officials, as well as Max’s family, friends and comrades in arms.

The Lone Soldier Center’s director, former lone soldier Josh Flaster shared, “Max was beloved by all of the soldiers in his unit- every soldier he interacted with, joked with, smiled with. He ran like the wind, fought for what he believed in, and died fighting in Gaza to keep us all safe. On behalf of all of the soldiers, immigrants and lone soldiers whose lives’ Max touched and brightened, we are honored to continue to keep his name, memory and story alive.”

The Torah will be used and read from by lone soldiers in the coming year, with its final destination being a Golani 13 base.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)