Pho tos by Ro bin Sc hwa r tz
Serving srael
Tami Heisler of Tel Aviv and her sis-
ters, Daphna and Shira Heisler of West
Bloomfield, gather at the Saar home: '
Avi Leibovitch
with his girl-
friend, Reut Levi
Soldier
from West
Bloomfield
helps guard
Mideast
border.
Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News
S
omewhere among the
tanks, camouflage
and machine guns
on the Israel/Lebanon border,
Israel Defense Forces soldier
Avi Leibovitch, 23, of West
Bloomfield is defending his
country along with his Golani
Brigade combat unit.
Leibovitch was born in
Israel but moved to Michigan
with his family at the age
of 5. He attended Hillel Day
School of Metropolitan Detroit
in Farmington Hills, West
Bloomfield High School and
Michigan State University but •
always expressed a desire to
return to Israel and join the
IDF. After graduating from
MSU with a degree in psychol-
ogy, he bought a plane ticket
to Israel; eft his family and
friends behind and enlisted.
"He signed to an infantry
unit, they do the hard work:'
said family friend Dany Saar
of West Bloomfield. "He didn't
have to do it, but he did it
— that's what makes him so
unique."
About 100 people gathered
at the Saar's West.Bloomfield
home on July 25 to show sup-
port for Avi and to raise money
for the Michigan Chapter of the
Friends of the IDF. His mother,
Noga Leibovitch, and brother,
Roni, 26, expressed their pride
and concern for the soldiers'
safety. Avi is expected to com-
plete his two-year commitment
and return to Michigan in
November.
"It's scary following the news
at home and at work. I hope he
returns home safely,' said Roni.
"I walk with the phone; I eat
with the phone; I sleep with
the phone added his mother,
Noga. "I'm very nervous. I
pray for his safety every day,
but hopefully everything will
be okay"
° Many people who attended
the open house knew Avi
while he was growing up. They
looked at recent pictures of
the handsome young soldier
in uniform. They also huddled
around an answering machine
in the family's kitchen to hear a
message Avi left via cell phone.
"Hi, this is Avi," the mes-
sage said. "I just wanted to
say thanks to everybody for
your time, your support and
your contributions ... It's real-
ly good to know that you're
over.there on the other side of
the ocean thinking of us and
helping us out."
"He's just such a wonderful
kid;' said Sarah Heisler of West
Bloomfield, wiping away tears.
"He's smart; he's kind; he cares
about people and he cares
about Israel — that's what he's
doing there now."
"I think it's really special
that he followed his heart
and he went to do what he
thought was important, despite
the danger:' added Tami
Heisler, who grew up in West
Bloomfield and now lives in Tel
Aviv."Our thoughts are with
him and all the soldiers and
we hope there will be peace as
soon as possible."
As the meeting wrapped up,
many people could be seen
writing checks. The group
hopes to raise money for a
huge air-conditioned tent
where soldiers can rest, unwind
and even play video games or
watch TV in the midst of the
tense conflict. They also hope
money will go towards week-
long vacations where IDF sol-
diers can rejuvenate for future
missions.
"We appreciate their courage
and sacrifices and we support
them 100 percent',' said Saar.
"I know [the fighting] is an
action that we have to do once
and for all so the Jewish people
can live safely;' said Noga
Leibovitch. "I'm very proud of
my son:' 1 1
Roni and Noga Leibovitch of West
Bloomfield, Avis brother and mother
Hosts Itzi and Dany Saar of West Bloomfield
Local IDF supporters Michele Sushin and
Nir Saar, both of West Bloomfield
Backing The IDF
The Friends of the IDF is in the midst
of an emergency campaign. So far,
they've raised almost $3.5 million
dollars. For information or to make
a donation, go to www.israelsoldiers.
org or contact the local chapter in
Farmington Hills, (248) 203-2060.
August 3 2006
15