(JNS.org) Brett Loewenstern, who competed on the show “American Idol” in 2011, last week made aliyah and plans to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after falling in love with Israel on a Taglit-Birthright trip in 2012. He will join an IDF military band following his enlistment in the Israeli army. After appearing on “American Idol,” where he made it to the top 24 and was eliminated after singing “Light My Fire,” Loewenstern enrolled in Boston’s Berklee College of Music, where he majored in performance and song-writing. He has partnered with Israeli composer Matti Kovler on various projects. His Birthright trip was a turning point since it was “the first time I felt true inner peace,” and “after Birthright, I could not stop coming back [to Israel],” said Loewenstern. “Israel to me represents all that my ancestors fought to keep. …As Jews, we come from different countries and backgrounds and cultures. I made aliyah to feel connected to other Jews from around the world, and to build more bridges between Israel and Diaspora Jews, who are so separated now,” he added.