The National Leadership Mission for Friends of IDF brought 160 people from 58 cities to Israeli army bases to meet soldiers and IDF officials. Participants heard from IDF soldiers serving on the front lines, toured an Iron Dome missile battery, and met a range of soldiers who benefit from FIDF programs, such as Lone Soldiers and recipients of IMPACT! Scholarships.

Englewood resident Dr. Robert Cohen described the trip as “wonderful, a life-changing experience for me. I was just so impressed by the unbelievable courage and intelligence of the soldiers and the righteous cause. It was unbelievably awe inspiring to me. I’ve always been an advocate for Israel, but this trip reinforced it.” He added, “We met Israelis, soldiers, and saw their dedication, the goodness of these people, their unbelievable commitment–how selfless the soldiers are to make this commitment, and sacrifice almost everything for the state to survive for the Jewish people.”