(Courtesy of FIDF) On Oct. 17 at the New York Hilton Midtown, 1,200 leading business people and philanthropists from across the country saluted Israel’s brave soldiers and veterans at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) National N.Y. Gala Dinner, which raised more than $32 million to support well-being and educational programs for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.
Distinguished guests included Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Amb. Danny Danon; Consul General of Israel in New York Dani Dayan; Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the United States Maj. Gen. Michael Edelstein; FIDF Acting Chairman Peter Weintraub; FIDF Chairman Emeritus Arthur Stark; FIDF Acting President Robert Cohen; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir and his wife, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gila Klifi-Amir; radio personality and voice-over artist Valerie Smaldone, who presided as master of ceremonies; and FIDF Tri-State Executive Director Galit Brichta.
Honored guests also included 30 IDF soldiers and officers from several military units, including Staff Sgt. Bar, a paramedic who treats wounded Syrian civilians along the border with Israel as part of the IDF’s “Operation Good Neighbor”; and Maj. Or Ben-Yehuda, who served in the Caracal Battalion, one of the only co-ed military units in the world, and her mother, Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, who shared their story of heroism passing on from generation to generation. Dina served in the IDF during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and Or in 2014 single-handedly fought off a group of terrorists and was awarded for her courageous actions. IDF combat veterans who are now FIDF IMPACT! Scholarship recipients were also in attendance.
“Since its birth 70 years ago, Israel has continuously fought for its right to live as a free country in the Middle East. A true ‘Start-up Nation,’ Israel not only survives but thrives, with accomplishments and innovations that greatly contribute not only to her own citizens, but also to the rest of the world,” said Klifi-Amir. “The success of the state of Israel is rooted in many factors, most importantly resting on two pillars: a strong IDF—one of the best militaries in the world, with the highest moral and ethics—and the strong bond between Israel and the great United States of America. Standing together is the most powerful way to continue to thrive, flourish and face the challenges yet to come. We were honored to have so many highly distinguished guests join us at this momentous annual gala, as we celebrated 70 years of Israel and saluted the heroes of the IDF.”
For the fourth year, FIDF’s flagship national event was chaired by Weintraub. A Reform rabbi and businessman from Westchester, Weintraub has been an avid FIDF supporter for over 17 years and has sponsored academic scholarships for more than 85 IDF combat veterans through FIDF’s IMPACT! Scholarship Program.
“The miracle called Israel has continued to exist as a strong and thriving country over the past 70 years, and it will continue to exist thanks to the heroic soldiers of the IDF, who put their lives on the line every day to defend the home of the Jewish nation. I am proud to chair this extraordinary event and salute Israel’s soldiers for their countless sacrifices, historic victories and commitment to our people,” said Weintraub.
Notable among the donations was a $5 million planned-giving gift. Or Lachayal pledged $2.5 million, FIDF National Vice President Marc Perlman pledged $1.6 million, Nefesh B’Nefesh pledged $1.3 million, FIDF Young Leadership New York pledged $1.2 million, FIDF National board member and NY Real Estate Division Chairman Emeritus Ofer Yardeni pledged $1 million on behalf of FIDF NY Real Estate, Brothers for Life pledged $1 million, Genesis Philanthropy Group pledged $700,000, and the Iranian-American Jewish Federation pledged $550,000. Weintraub’s granddaughter pledged $180 for each of his 14 grandchildren.
Funds raised at the gala will provide much-needed and well-deserved services such as academic scholarships to combat veterans, financial assistance for soldiers in need, support for lone soldiers throughout their service and upon release, crucial aid for wounded veterans and the families of fallen soldiers and weeks of rest and recuperation for entire IDF units, as well as educational, cultural and recreational facilities. The evening presented a rare and exclusive opportunity to pay tribute to the state of Israel and its brave men and women in uniform.
