More than 1,200 business leaders and philanthropists from across the country will salute Israel’s brave soldiers and veterans at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) National New York Gala Dinner on September 25. The FIDF gala – ‘“A Night of Heroes” — will take place at the New York Hilton Midtown and feature active-duty Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and several special guests.
A delegation of 20 IDF soldiers and officers will travel from Israel to attend the gala, including soldiers who are among those who volunteer to enlist and serve Israel proudly, despite not being mandated to do so due to their backgrounds and special circumstances.
Among those being recognized are Cpl. Sofie, a Danish Lone Soldier – one who enlists in the IDF without having immediate family in Israel — who was raised as a Christian, though her Jewish father served in the IDF, and she is among the few women to serve as an F-35 jet mechanic in the Israeli Air Force (IAF); Lt. A., a Lone Soldier from East Jerusalem whose choice to join the IDF – which he viewed as his patriotic duty – cost him his friends, family, and home, and after years of homelessness, is living his childhood dream of being an IDF officer and is excited about his future; Staff Sgt. Aaron, a Lone Soldier from New Jersey who serves in the Paratroopers Brigade; Sgt. Eitan, an Israeli Orthodox combat soldier serving in the Givati Brigade, which primarily performs anti-terror operations; and Maj. Yossi, who was awarded an IDF citation for his role in a combat engineering unit operating inside the Hezbollah tunnels into northern Israel.
The gala will also feature the generational story of a family of heroes, stretching from the Six-Day War to modern Israel.
Other distinguished guests will include 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. Yehuda Fox; IDF former Head of the Northern Command and current Commander of the Ground Forces Maj. Gen. Yoel Strick; FIDF Chairman Rabbi Peter Weintraub; FIDF President Bobby Cohen; FIDF Chairman Emeritus Arthur Stark; FIDF Chairman Emeritus Dr. Nily Falic; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; internationally acclaimed TV journalist, news anchor, reporter, and producer Michelle Makori, who will preside as master of ceremonies; and FIDF Tri-State Executive Director Galit Brichta.
“The brave men and women who wear the IDF uniform passionately protect not only the Jewish homeland, but people all over the world,” said Klifi-Amir. “More than simply a military defending the state of Israel and Jews worldwide, the IDF is an extraordinary force of humanity. Guided by its official ethical code, the Spirit of the IDF, which holds human life above all else, Israel’s soldiers are true global heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty: they save lives, tend to the needy, care for the wounded, and help whomever is in crisis. They are the faces of the diverse Israeli nation, and as Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion once said, the IDF is the melting pot of the Israeli society. We are extremely proud to support these heroes who carry out the most noble mission.”
For the fifth year, FIDF’s flagship national event is chaired by Rabbi Weintraub. A Reform rabbi and businessman from Westchester, he has been an avid FIDF supporter for over 18 years and has sponsored academic scholarships for more than 85 IDF combat veterans through FIDF’s IMPACT! Scholarship Program.
“The heroes of the IDF serve and protect the state of Israel, its pepole, and Jews around the world,” said Rabbi Weintraub. “During this very special evening, our community will come together to pay tribute and show the brave IDF soldiers our profound appreciation and thanks for their sacrifices. We will stand together with these young Jewish heroes – our heroes – and declare: while their job is to look after Israel, ours is to look after them.”
The IDF Musical Ensemble will provide the evening’s entertainment. The gala will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m.
