2025
5/18/2025
Max Long ’11
is the founder of Growing Wings, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing, mental health services, and a supportive community for Lone Soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces. His dedication to social justice and advocacy was shaped by the values instilled in him at Rashi, where he developed a deep connection to Israel and an understanding of the importance of standing up for truth and justice.
After graduating from Rashi, Max moved to Israel and enlisted in the IDF, where he served in a special forces unit and participated in countless missions to protect Israel. As a Lone Soldier, he experienced firsthand the challenges faced by young immigrants who commit themselves to defending Israel. Recognizing the lack of resources available to Lone Soldiers, Max established Growing Wings to ensure they have access to essential support during and after their service.
On October 7th, Max was living in Tel Aviv and was called into reserves to respond to the massacre. He continued with his unit into the frontlines in Gaza, searching for the innocent Israelis taken hostage and dismantling Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure. After witnessing firsthand the realities that many people thousands of miles away claimed were not true, Max knew what this meant for him. Upon returning to the U.S., he quickly realized that Israel’s battle for legitimacy extended beyond the battlefield, as misinformation and antisemitism surged. While attending college in Chicago, Max was physically attacked by two masked individuals in an attempt to intimidate him into silence. Instead of retreating, he expanded Growing Wings to include an Advocacy Branch, mobilizing truth-tellers to share their firsthand experiences and combat false narratives about Israel. He has since enlisted survivors of the October 7th massacre, injured IDF soldiers, IDF reservists, children of Holocaust survivors, and Jewish students, sending them around North America to speak to both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences and on college campuses. The goal is to humanize the experiences of Israelis and Diaspora Jews and build stronger, more knowledgeable bridges with our allies.
Max believes Israel’s right to exist is a fundamental truth, and he continues to fight against misinformation and antisemitism by amplifying the voices of those directly impacted. The lessons he learned at Rashi—compassion, justice, and resilience—continue to guide his work. Receiving the Stephanie Rotsky Tikkun Alum Award is both an honor and a testament to the profound impact Rashi had on shaping his path. In 2024, Max was also recognized as one of JUF’s 36 Under 36, highlighting his dedication to advocacy and community leadership. He is deeply grateful for this recognition and remains committed to his mission of ensuring the safety and future of the Jewish people worldwide.
