38 | OCTOBER 19 • 2023 J
N

A

s the horrifying 
reality of war 
between Israel and 
Hamas became known, over 
360,000 Israel Defense Forces 
(IDF) reservists, both inside 
the country and abroad, 
were summoned to join the 
battle in a matter of hours. 
Those living abroad quickly 
scrambled to find ways into 
the homeland amid endless 
canceled and delayed flights. 
Many are leaving their 
families for an indefinite 
amount of time and a storm 
of uncertainty. 
But as more stories 
come out about the Hamas 
attack, and as the Israeli 
death toll continues to rise 
as emergency responders 
comb through the carnage 
at dozens of sites near Gaza, 
the reservists are motivated 
by duty and love for their 
country and its people to 
help serve in any way they 
can. 
There are many IDF 
reservists with Detroit 
connections. 

WILLING TO SERVE
Shimon G. Levy, who was an 
IDF squadron commander, 
has been calling Detroit 
home since 2015 and has 
been in the reserve since 
2012. 
Levy says there wasn’t too 
much thought put into the 
decision to return. 
“As soon as we saw what 
was unfolding, I and so 
many others like me started 
planning immediately to 
come back to Israel,” Levy 
said. 
Along with many 
reservists living abroad, 
there were numerous flight 
cancellations and delays 
during Levy’s journey back. 

From Detroit to London to 
Paris and finally to Israel, he 
made it to the homeland the 
Tuesday after the attacks and 
immediately got into the mix 
of things. 
The process of being 
brought in as a reservist, 
Levy says, involves 
going through multiple 
communication channels. 
“They tell you based on 
your history, experience 
and qualifications, and what 
you’ve done over the past 
couple of years, if your skills 
are needed and in what 
capacity,” Levy explained. “If 
they are, then you’re asked to 
return.
“Whether they need you 
on the frontlines or at the 
command center, it’s really 
in their hands. And they are 
more likely to understand 
what is and where is the best 
place to put you.” 
Levy says the majority 
of people he’s come across 
and had conversations with 
haven’t necessarily had 
anything specific lined up 
as far as a role when they 
return to service — many 
are just coming back, 
recognizing they’re needed 
and wanting to help in any 
way they can. 
“This is very organic. We 
haven’t gotten guarantees of 
what and how and where, 
but people are coming from 
all over,” Levy said. 
Everyone seems to know 
someone affected by the war, 
and Levy says the situation 
is one that brings Israelis 
together to protect the 
homeland.
“It’s rough. It’s one degree 
of separation from anybody. 
I’ve got a cousin that was 
murdered at the party. I’ve 
got a friend who has been 

IDF 
Reservists 
Return to 
Israel 

OUR COMMUNITY

The reservists with ties to 
Metro Detroit are motivated 
by duty and love for their 
country and its people. 

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

Mataan Lis 
in uniform in 
his Special 
Forces unit.

