Actor Yehuda Levi Reveals Childhood Bullying and Social Exclusion

Israeli actor Yehuda Levi, 47, has publicly shared a deeply personal experience of childhood social exclusion and bullying, revealing how the trauma continues to affect him decades later. He disclosed this in a personal post as part of "Zehu K'o Adom" (This is a Red Line), a new national initiative launched by the President's Residence aimed at combating bullying and social ostracism among children and youth.

Levi described feeling like an outsider during parts of his childhood, particularly when he lived in South Africa. He recounted a specific incident in sixth grade where classmates told him they no longer wanted to be his friends at a birthday party, an event that left him feeling disconnected. He explained that the subsequent bullying, which involved laughter and avoidance, led him to maintain a facade of indifference while internalizing the pain.

He connected his childhood loneliness to his eventual career choice, noting that his escape into movies during that period taught him to adapt and understand people, skills he later utilized as an actor. The family's sudden departure from South Africa due to an economic crisis, without allowing him to say goodbye to friends, further compounded his sense of isolation.

Levi also acknowledged that he, too, has hurt others and sometimes distanced himself from people who tried to get close, recognizing this as a defense mechanism stemming from his childhood experiences. He expressed regret and apologized to those he may have disappeared from their lives, explaining that his withdrawal was sometimes due to the person being too important and thus potentially capable of causing him pain.

Concluding his message, Levi urged those who bully to consider the lasting impact of their actions, emphasizing that the social hierarchies of school are temporary. He encouraged empathy, suggesting that a simple invitation to join a group can change a child's narrative, regardless of their future success. The "Zehu K'o Adom" campaign, launched at the start of the school year, highlights that one in three Israeli children report experiencing bullying or ostracism.