“The shots kept coming and we couldn’t pin down the source. We had our weapons drawn, but we could not shoot blindly into the area we just came from, other Israeli soldiers were still in the area, and God forbid we hit them. Rather than return fire, we stayed pinned down while the head of our unit called in another tank. The tank rolled in and let out a smokescreen. As I crawled behind the tank, I could hear “pop pop” as the sniper’s bullets bounced off it.”
Under the Stretcher takes you into the 2014 “Operation Protective Edge,” the latest of the Gaza-Israeli conflicts, through the eyes of Max Levin, an American-born Israeli soldier who immigrated in 2012 to join the Israeli army. This book takes you step-by-step on his journey as he immigrates to Israel, learns Hebrew, and goes through many grueling try-outs to finally make it into one of Israel’s special forces units – Palchan Tzanhanim. He was then immediately thrust into this war where he found himself fighting for his newfound friends and family, only a 10-minute jog behind him. Max then had to cope with the aftermath of the war, the mourning of lost ones, and the psychological changes from being a soldier at war to a soldier at peace, trying to keep all parties safe and sound within in the dangerous West Bank.
For those who want to learn more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this book offers personal stories from an American-raised boy, with American values, who served in the modern Israeli army.
For a detailed account of the recent army experiences of a soldier who joined an elite unit, this book can act as a road map for anyone in a similar situation.
To learn what life is like for an Israeli soldier today, this book offers both details and personal insights.
To learn more about Israel’s latest war, this book provides detailed descriptions from both the front lines and behind enemy lines, looking at some of the vital operations that unfold during war.
This book is a must for anyone interested in learning more about Israel, the Israel – Palestinian Conflict, Gaza, 2014 Operation Protective Edge, Lone Soldiers, The Israeli Army, War or Special Forces.
What readers are saying:
“A gripping account of American Jewish youth’s service in an elite unit of the Israeli paratroopers. A must read for young people who are considering serving as a Lone Soldier in the IDF or making aliya to Israel.”
~ Michael Oren—Former Ambassador to the United States of America
* * *
Under the Stretcher is the journey of Max Levin from St. Louis to Los Angeles, to summers in Israel, to a battlefield, to being an instructor.
It is more than a journey of time, it is a journey of strength, determination, passion, compassion and loss. Max Levin’s, Under the Stretcher, gives us life lessons of perseverance in situations no one could be prepared for, until the moment in which they happen. At that defining moment, his thoughts would go back to his family, his training, friends, team and officers, all who gave him honor, dignity and the ability to act. A boy who dreamed, acted on those dreams, worked hard, and became more than a solider. He became a better human being, helping others to become better than themselves and wishing for a world of peace.
Under the Stretcher tells the story of Max Levin, yet it motivates all of us. To be carrying a stretcher with the goal of saving a life. Max Levin carrying the stretcher helps us see our choices and the legacy we can make.
~ Russell Robinson—CEO Jewish National Fund
* * *
Max’s story exemplifies what it means to be a good soldier and the morals that we instill in our young men and women. He goes above and beyond and shows a new side of being an Israeli soldier, one that not only faced difficult decisions but also shows the vulnerabilities and strength our young men and women endure. I recommend this book to all that support Israel, it’s army, and those that want to better understand on the ground situations here in the Middle East. Max’s story has shown the reality of being an IDF soldier today and his continued commitment to the reserves (miluim).
~ Brigadier General Rami Zur—Second Division Commander of the Paratrooper Reserves Units 55 and 5535
* * *
I am enormously proud of Max and all that he has accomplished. His story exemplifies what it means to be a true Zionist, one that is willing to learn, feel, and support our great nation even at great risk to his own life. He shows that Israel is not just a land for Israeli’s but for all Jews, one that we must defend and protect at all costs.
~ Naty Saidoff—Founder and principal owner of Capital Foresight & Chairman of the Board of Israel American Council (IAC).
* * *
Max’s story is riveting. I have the pleasure of knowing Max personally. He is a leader. He is a zionist. He does not quit. This book is a testament to all of his wonderful qualities. I can undoubtedly say—Under the Stretcher is a MUST read.
~ Natalie Elisha Gold, CEO Goldberg LLP, Media personality and 4x bestselling author
* * *
Max,
I started reading your book today and simply could not put it down.
I finished the entire book in one sitting.
You forgot to tell me to have some kleenex nearby.
Max Levin takes us on a journey of dedication, will power, and ultimately triumph. For anyone who wants to know the real path to protecting the State of Israel, Max takes us through unforgiving ‘sands’ and endless tribulations toward creating one of the finest fighting forces in the world. He also details for us the intense emotions in the midst of battle, and the loss of beloved ‘brothers’ who fell in the defense of their Jewish homeland. Under the Stretcher is a must read for those who care about Israel, and for all of us to understand what it really takes to defend a nation.
~ Dr. Bruce Powell—Former Head of DeToledo High School and Milken High School
* * *
As a former teammate of Max’s and now the current commander of the Palchan Tzanhanim Unit, I am very proud to see that Max has shed light on many of the difficult situations and decisions our IDF soldiers have to make every day. His story and our team’s story will shake you to the core of what it means to be an IDF soldier and make difficult decisions in dire circumstances. I highly recommend this book to any who aspire to one day become a special forces combat soldier or simply want to learn more about what it really means to be an IDF soldier today.
~ Major Ofir Tuchterman—Current head of the Special Forces Unit—Palchan Tzanhanim
* * *
Max Levin is an extraordinary individual. While still in his 20s he has already lived, seen, experienced, suffered and survived enough to fill a book, the one before you. It is a story of ordeal and adventure, of idealism put into practice, devotion, unyielding will and true grit. The book is written in a simple but engaging style, clear-eyed and with utter honesty. But one feels that Max’s tale has only just begun …
~ Joey Price—Head of Languages Department at Tel Aviv University
“The shots kept coming and we couldn’t pin down the source. We had our weapons drawn, but we could not shoot blindly into the area we just came, other Israeli soldiers were still in the area, and god forbid we hit them. Rather than return fire, we stayed pinned down while the head of our unit called in another tank. The tank rolled in and let out a smokescreen. As I crawled behind the tank, I could hear pop pop as the sniper’s bullets bounced off it.”
‘Under the Stretcher’ takes you into the 2014 Operation Protective Edge” the latest of the Gaza-Israeli conflicts, through the eyes of Max Levin, an American-born Israeli soldier who immigrated in 2012 to join the Israeli army. This book takes you step by step on his journey as he immigrates to Israel, learns Hebrew, goes through many grueling try-outs to finally make it into one of Israel’s special forces units – Palchan Tzanhanim. He then was immediately thrust into this war where he found himself fighting for his new known friends and family, only a 10 min jog behind him. To then going through the aftermath of the war, the mourning of lost ones, and the continuation of having to completely change one’s mentality from a soldier at war to a soldier at peace, trying to keep all parties safe and sound while in the dangerous West Bank.
For those of you who want to learn more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this book will give you personal stories from an American raised boy, with American values who served in the modern Israeli army.
If you want a detailed account of a recent army experience from a soldier who made it into an elite unit, this book can act as a road map to be able to find one’s self in a similar situation.
If you want to learn what life is like as an Israeli soldier today, this book will inform you of what it is really like.
If you want to learn more about Israel’s latest war, this book gives a detailed description of what it was like being at the front lines, and many times behind enemy lines, taking part in vital operations during the war.
Anyone interested in learning more about Israel, the Israel – Palestinian conflict, Gaza, 2014 Operation Protective Edge, Lone Soldiers, The Israeli Army, War, Special Forces.
What readers are saying:
“A gripping account of American Jewish youth’s service in an elite unit of the Israeli paratroopers. A must read for young people who are considering serving as a Lone Soldier in the IDF or making aliya to Israel.”
~ Michael Oren—Former Ambassador to the United States of America
* * *
Under the Stretcher is the journey of Max Levin from St. Louis to Los Angeles, to summers in Israel, to a battlefield, to being an instructor.
It is more than a journey of time, it is a journey of strength, determination, passion, compassion and loss. Max Levin’s, Under the Stretcher, gives us life lessons of perseverance in situations no one could be prepared for, until the moment in which they happen. At that defining moment, his thoughts would go back to his family, his training, friends, team and officers, all who gave him honor, dignity and the ability to act. A boy who dreamed, acted on those dreams, worked hard, and became more than a solider. He became a better human being, helping others to become better than themselves and wishing for a world of peace.
Under the Stretcher tells the story of Max Levin, yet it motivates all of us. To be carrying a stretcher with the goal of saving a life. Max Levin carrying the stretcher helps us see our choices and the legacy we can make.
~ Russell Robinson—CEO Jewish National Fund
* * *
Max’s story exemplifies what it means to be a good soldier and the morals that we instill in our young men and women. He goes above and beyond and shows a new side of being an Israeli soldier, one that not only faced difficult decisions but also shows the vulnerabilities and strength our young men and women endure. I recommend this book to all that support Israel, it’s army, and those that want to better understand on the ground situations here in the Middle East. Max’s story has shown the reality of being an IDF soldier today and his continued commitment to the reserves (miluim).
~ Brigadier General Rami Zur—Second Division Commander of the Paratrooper Reserves Units 55 and 5535
* * *
I am enormously proud of Max and all that he has accomplished. His story exemplifies what it means to be a true Zionist, one that is willing to learn, feel, and support our great nation even at great risk to his own life. He shows that Israel is not just a land for Israeli’s but for all Jews, one that we must defend and protect at all costs.
~ Naty Saidoff—Founder and principal owner of Capital Foresight & Chairman of the Board of Israel American Council (IAC).
* * *
Max’s story is riveting. I have the pleasure of knowing Max personally. He is a leader. He is a zionist. He does not quit. This book is a testament to all of his wonderful qualities. I can undoubtedly say—Under the Stretcher is a MUST read.
~ Natalie Elisha Gold, CEO Goldberg LLP, Media personality and 4x bestselling author
* * *
Max,
I started reading your book today and simply could not put it down.
I finished the entire book in one sitting.
You forgot to tell me to have some kleenex nearby.
Max Levin takes us on a journey of dedication, will power, and ultimately triumph. For anyone who wants to know the real path to protecting the State of Israel, Max takes us through unforgiving ‘sands’ and endless tribulations toward creating one of the finest fighting forces in the world. He also details for us the intense emotions in the midst of battle, and the loss of beloved ‘brothers’ who fell in the defense of their Jewish homeland. Under the Stretcher is a must read for those who care about Israel, and for all of us to understand what it really takes to defend a nation.
~ Dr. Bruce Powell—Former Head of DeToledo High School and Milken High School
* * *
As a former teammate of Max’s and now the current commander of the Palchan Tzanhanim Unit, I am very proud to see that Max has shed light on many of the difficult situations and decisions our IDF soldiers have to make every day. His story and our team’s story will shake you to the core of what it means to be an IDF soldier and make difficult decisions in dire circumstances. I highly recommend this book to any who aspire to one day become a special forces combat soldier or simply want to learn more about what it really means to be an IDF soldier today.
~ Major Ofir Tuchterman—Current head of the Special Forces Unit—Palchan Tzanhanim
* * *
Max Levin is an extraordinary individual. While still in his 20s he has already lived, seen, experienced, suffered and survived enough to fill a book, the one before you. It is a story of ordeal and adventure, of idealism put into practice, devotion, unyielding will and true grit. The book is written in a simple but engaging style, clear-eyed and with utter honesty. But one feels that Max’s tale has only just begun …
~ Joey Price—Head of Languages Department at Tel Aviv University