(Courtesy of FIDF) More than 400 members of the New Jersey Jewish community will gather on  Sunday, October 7, at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) New Jersey Chapter Annual Tribute Dinner to support the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including New Jersey  natives serving as Lone Soldiers – those who immigrate to Israel without immediate family in order to serve in the IDF.

The dinner, which has become one of the New Jersey Jewish community’s premier events, will celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday as FIDF and its supporters salute seven decades of heroes and hope. To recognize this anniversary, a special ceremony will honor current and former IDF soldiers and pay tribute to  New Jersey natives serving as Lone Soldiers.

This year’s event will feature Sgt. Mikey, who lived in New Jersey prior to moving to Long Island, and is currently serving as a Lone Soldier in the Pioneer Combatant Youth Reconnaissance Company. Sgt. Mikey also takes part in the IDF’s Operation Good Neighbor, which provides humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.

The event, co-chaired by FIDF New Jersey Chapter board members, Annette Stern and Ellen Sokoloff, will also feature 2nd Lt. Sarah, who sustained serious injuries from a terrorist attack and later became the head of a branch in the research division of the intelligence corps; and Brig. Gen. (Res.) Ami Morag and his son, Lt. Col. Idan, who are the only father-son pair in IDF history to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor.

“This evening gives the New Jersey community a chance to meet and personally thank the brave soldiers who risk everything to defend Israel – and Jews worldwide,” said FIDF New Jersey Director Howard Gases. “This year we’re celebrating and saluting Israel for 70 years of heroes and hope, and we invite all of those who served in the IDF to join us as we honor you.”

FIDF’s New Jersey Chapter – often referred to as the “Lone Soldier Chapter” – was co-founded by FIDF National Board Member Sammy Bar-Or, who moved to Israel from Iran when he was 13 and served as a Lone Soldier in the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade.

“When I served, there was no real understanding of what it meant to be a Lone Soldier,” said Bar-Or. “Life is very difficult for IDF soldiers without immediate family in Israel. Supporting the well-being of Lone Soldiers is a personal calling – and a very important part of FIDF’s mission.”

Also attending the event will be FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipient Racheli Avruch, a Queens native whose donors, Shelley and Chick Paradis of Livingston, New Jersey, will reunite with her at the special event. The IMPACT! program grants four-year academic scholarships to combat and combat support soldiers from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Other distinguished guests will include FIDF Chairman Emeritus Arthur Stark; Nancy Epstein; Donna Calcaterra; FIDF National Board Member Melinda Lowell Paltrow; FIDF National Board Member and FIDF New Jersey Board Member Lloyd Sokoloff; Lance Drucker, who will emcee the event; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF Tri-State Executive Director Galit Brichta; and Rachel Gordon, of West Orange, New Jersey, a former IDF Lone Soldier who recently received the President’s award for outstanding service during a Yom Ha’Atzmaut ceremony at the home of President Rivlin in Israel.

The evening will begin with a 5 p.m. cocktail reception followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m. The funds raised at this event will go toward FIDF well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers. For more information or to support FIDF, please visit: https://fidf.org/njgala.