Who is lebanon levi

Amish Mafia, like many other reality shows, took a few elements of real-life truth and built an entire TV series around those elements. Prior to the release of Amish Mafia — like many other Amish and Mennonite men — Lebanon Levi was a volunteer firefighter in his community. However, in August of , Levi appeared before his local borough council for permission to set fire to a mobile home.

Is Lebanon Levi even Amish? Again, yes… but, no. He grew up Amish. He dresses Amish for the show. Sometimes, he even rides in a buggy. Amish Baptism is the final step in the decision to be Amish. No one is simply born into the Amish Church. Following this time, they must decide whether to remain a part of the outside world, or to join the Amish Church through Baptism.

Being Amish is a decision each Amish young person chooses to make — or not make. Lebanon Levi and his crew of vigil anties? They made the decision not to be Amish. This is why while other Amish characters on the show have their faces blurred out, avoid the cameras, and maintain a traditional plain life, Levi and his gang can operate outside the actual Amish community, ride in and drive cars, and, well, have their own TV show.

Amish Church leaders have repeatedly refuted any such group. But Stoltzfus made a telling appearance at Richland Borough Council meeting last year, and it was documented by the Lebanon Daily News.

At the time, however, it was barely given a second thought. In a recent episode of "Amish Mafia," Lebanon Levi's trailer went up in flames, a blaze supposedly set by his rival on the show, Merlin. Richland Mayor Ronald Steiner recalled that the trailer got cleaned up right away after the flames were extinguished. Steiner, who lives a few doors away from Stoltzfus, said Stoltzfus is well known in town, but he would not consider him a celebrity. I think he's calmed down. As for the show, Steiner said he watches it, but he believes it is set up.

Regardless of its authenticity, the show has become a popular topic of conversation in town, Steiner said. It's like a lot of other TV shows. They're there, but they don't amount to a hill of beans. Now that he is a quasi-celebrity, Lebanon Levi sightings are being reported at numerous places around Lebanon County. He was most recently spotted on Sunday afternoon at the Cedar Grill on Route just east of Lebanon. Judy Huey, a cashier and hostess at the restaurant, said he was "very nice" and did not try to shake the restaurant down.

Other than a couple people asking Stoltzfus to pose for photos, nobody made a big fuss about his visit, said Huey, who also had a picture taken with Stoltzfus. Huey, who is originally from Lancaster County, said she is familiar with the show. She would not comment on its authenticity, though. Stoltzfus used to get his hair cut at Holiday Hair at the Promenade at Lebanon East shopping center, just down the street from Cedar Grill.

But he has not been there since August, said Kristina Livering, the shop's floor manager. Stoltzfus and the show have become a popular topic of conversation at the shop since the show started airing in December, Livering said. A manager there said she could not confirm his visit or discuss it due to corporate policy.