Written by Stevie Levinson, 11th Grade Student, Pine Crest FTL
As a young child, I was always taught the importance of giving back. My parents instilled in me the belief that not everyone is as fortunate, and that it is our responsibility to help others whenever we can.
When I was seven years old, my brothers and I hosted our first charity event for the FIDF. We organized a boot camp workout with soldiers visiting from Israel and also brought in a gaming truck for the community. FIDF has always been important to our family because, as I was told at a young age, we all have different roles to play. Some people protect our homeland, while others support those who protect us.
When I turned 13, I wanted my mitzvah project to be something I genuinely connected with. Around that time, I met a young woman named Inbal who was serving in the IDF. She dreamed of attending art and engineering school, but unfortunately, she could not afford the tuition. Through FIDF, I learned about the IMPACT! Scholarship program, which helps young soldiers pursue higher education.
Although I wanted to help Inbal, I was only 13 years old and did not have the financial means to fund her education myself. For weeks, I kept asking myself, “How can I make this happen?” I sat down with my parents, and they told me that if I truly wanted to do this, it had to come from me. After thinking about it, I decided to donate all of my Bat Mitzvah money toward Inbal’s education.
While it was a significant contribution, it still was not enough to cover her entire education. Determined to reach my goal, I began babysitting, teaching dance classes, and finding other ways to earn money. I also made bracelets to sell and collected donations from family and friends. It was challenging, but every minute of effort was worth it.
Inbal is an incredible person. She attended the Holon Institute of Technology, where she later designed five dishes for astronauts as part of the Astronaut Food Project. Her work went on to win a sustainability competition because it has the potential to reduce the amount of food packaging sent into space by 80%, saving both resources and costs.
Supporting Inbal’s education was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I often feel that my generation is focused on asking, “What can I do for myself?” Yet the most valuable lesson I learned from this experience was that helping someone else brought me more joy than anything I could have done for myself. By helping Inbal pursue her dreams, I also played a small part in supporting innovation that could benefit astronauts and save valuable resources.
Over the years, Inbal and I have developed a very special relationship. I never expected that this project would lead to such a meaningful connection, nor did I expect to gain a mentor. I have always been interested in fashion, particularly its business and creative aspects, and Inbal has become someone I turn to for advice and perspective. Although we grew up in very different worlds, our lives have become deeply intertwined.
This experience has been life-changing for me in so many ways. It taught me to take chances, to give generously, and to recognize that some of life’s greatest rewards come from being selfless. Supporting the IMPACT! Scholarship program is one of the most meaningful things I have ever done. It has changed my life, broadened my perspective, and helped shape the kind of person I want to be and the way I want to lead my life.
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