Friends of the Israel Defense Forces

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Founded in the United States in 1981, Friends of the Israel Defence forces (FIDF) is an American non-profit organisation devoted to providing various forms of support to Israeli soldiers. Its headquarters is based in New York and it was formerly the US branch of the Israel based organisation the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soliders (AWIS) .

In 2014 it was reported that AWIS and the FIDF had split due to the FIDF’s dissatisfaction with the management of AWIS. As a consequence the FIDF set up its own offices in Tel Aviv. However, AWIS officials claim to still be on good terms with the FIDF. In 2011, prior to the split between the two organisations, the FIDF contributed 40 percent of the budget of AWIS. In 2009, the IDF developed new procedures that required every donation to the army to receive the approval of the IDF's personnel division and then to be transferred via the Libi Fund or AWIS.[1]

From 2005 until 2007 the forms filed by the FIDF with the American Inland Revenue Service stated that the FIDF 'works closely with the Ha'Agudah L'Maan Hachayal B'Yisrael A.R. (Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers)'. From 2008 onwards no mention of AWIS is made in the FIDF's filings with the IRS. Prior to 2005 the FIDF's filings stated that 'funds are raised for the benefit of the Association for Welfare of Soldiers in Israel' indicating that until 2005 the FIDF was a 'pass through organisation' which simply raised funds for AWIS rather than implementing its own programmes. However, according to the FIDF's filings the board of directors used its discretion to decide which of AWIS's programs it chose to fund, rather than leaving it to the discretion of AWIS.[2]

The organisation provides the following description of its activities on its webpage: [3]

FIDF initiates and helps support educational, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland. FIDF also supports the families of fallen soldiers.

The IDF has stated that the FIDF's most important role is in improving the image of Israel and the IDF internationally. [4]

A study on Jewish American charitable giving, published by Brandeis University in 2012, found that the FIDF is the second most significant Israel supporting charity in the category of 'social welfare' (after the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee). [5]

Activities

Encouraging service in the IDF

FIDF encourages Jews outside of Israel to serve in the IDF. According to an article in Arutz Sheva 7:

"About 2,800 lone soldiers from around the world - 800 of them from the US - serve in the IDF, and about 900 enlist every year. Most of them are assisted and guided by the Lone Soldiers Program that was jointly initiated by Nefesh B'Nefesh and FIDF, which accompanies lone soldiers' absorption into the IDF and the state of Israel...The soldiers are eligible for financial assistance, personal accompaniment and guidance, and gift packages every three months. Upon their discharge from the IDF, thay are offered guidance on selecting their field of employment and studies, as well as work placement." [6]

The FIDF has provided figures according to which some 2,500 IDF soldiers are non-Israeli with the largest contingent, of 740 soldiers, from the United States.[7]

The organisation works with the Nefesh B'Nefesh organisation, the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Ministry of Immigrant Absorption to facilitate the arrival and integration of new Olim to Israel and organises welcoming events at Ben Gurion airport. [8] [9] Nefesh B'Nefesh has facilitated placement of fresh Olim in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories.[10] The FIDF has charted flights of new IDF recruits to Israel from the United States in collaboration with Nefesh B'Nefesh.[11]

The FIDF and Nefesh B'Nefesh jointly manage a 'Lone Soldiers Center' in Jerusalem.[12]

Programmes

IMPACT! Scholarship Program - through this programme the FIDF provides academic scholarships to members of the IDF:

"For the academic year 2012-2013, FIDF granted 3,400 scholarships and sponsored students at over 90 institutions."[13]

Identity and Purpose Programs

"IDF soldiers confront questions of identity, purpose, and ethics on a regular basis. The IDF Education Corps and Beit Morasha, a Jerusalem-based leadership training center that specializes in Jewish studies, have developed three courses for soldiers and commanders that focus on Jewish values and identity."[14]

Israeli Journey Taking Soldiers on a Journey through the Land They Swear to Protect

"While visiting historic and cultural sites throughout Israel, such as Mount Herzl , The Western Wall, and Yad Vashem, participants experience a physical and emotional journey through Jewish-Israeli identity. They also participate in a range of team-building exercises, outdoor activities, and community service. The program has a significant impact on the participants, motivating them to inspire others around them – their brothers-in-arms, family, and friends."[15]

Amir Course Cultivating the Integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Military and Civilian Society[16]

"Through special training and orientations, the Amir Course seeks to better integrate Ethiopian-Israeli enlistees into the army and enable them to access more challenging and influential positions in the IDF."

Eitan Program

"Eitan Program provides an opportunity for teenagers from difficult backgrounds exempt from enlisting to join the army. The program supplies them with tools to have a full and meaningful service and provides them with a vocation as a mode of succeeding in life thereafter. At the end of their service, the soldiers may choose out of three professional courses funded by FIDF and offered by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. They are then placed in a course according to availability and their own abilities. Upon completing technical and vocational training, the soldiers receive an official trade diploma, recognized by and given on behalf of the Ministry."[17]

The Formal Education Program

"The Formal Education Program seeks to increase opportunities for soldiers to complete 12 years of formal education and receive a high school completion certificate by the end of their military service, enabling them to finish their military service with a greater chance of success in civilian life."[18]

DIGNITY

"thousands of soldiers are in need of financial support at home. These soldiers are often the main provider for their families. When they join the military, they encounter economic difficulties, not only in supporting themselves, but also in supporting their families...When these soldiers come home for a short break, they either return to an empty house or become a financial burden on their families. The DIGNITY Program seeks to make a difference in the lives of these soldiers and their families by providing them with critical aid for basic appliances and furniture, food vouchers, special grants, and holiday gift coupons that help them through difficult economic times."
"In 2013, FIDF provided over 8,000 soldiers in-need with necessities such as furniture and appliances, Special Aid, Chanukah Friendship Vouchers and Food Vouchers."
"Since its inception in 2007, 27,488 soldiers have been helped by the DIGNITY Program"[19]


SPIRIT R&R Program

"The SPIRIT Program provides every IDF combat unit with a week of relaxation and fun. This week does wonders for the soldiers – it allows them to "recharge their batteries” and to return to service with renewed strength."
'In 2013, 13,000 combat soldiers enjoyed weeks of rest and recreation through FIDF’s SPIRIT Program."[20]


Adopt a Brigade Program

The program allows individuals and businesses to sponsor the following IDF units: the Golani Brigade, the Paratroopers Brigade, Iron Trail Brigade, Givati Brigade, Combat Intelligence Corps, Shayetet 3 Daburium Patrol Squadrons, Golan Artillery Regiment.[21]


Spiritual Needs Program

"The Spiritual Needs Program uplifts the spirits of IDF soldiers throughout their service, honing in on values, faith, Jewish identity and love of Israel. The program does this through a series of activities focused on Jewish traditions and celebrations to warm the soldier’s hearts and strengthen their spirits."[22]


LEGACY Program

Provides support to surviving relatives of deceased IDF soldiers. [23]


Lone Soldiers Program

Provides financial and other assistance to "Lone Soldiers" - IDF personnel whose families live outside of Israel. [24]


Wounded Soldiers Sports and Recreation Program

"Helping wounded IDF soldiers during and after their rehabilitation process through a variety of wellbeing and recreational activities." [25]


Construction Projects

"FIDF's Capital Projects Campaign builds, refurbishes, and maintains recreation and sports centers, cultural and educational facilities, synagogues, memorial rooms, auditoriums, and “soldiers’ homes” for soldiers throughout Israel."[26]


Public Relations

The FIDF Youtube channel presents slickly produced videos detailing the various FIDF programs, along with admiring portrayals of specific IDF units including the Unit 8200 Intelligence Corps,[27] the Oketz Unit,[28] the Combat Intelligence Corps,[29] the Golani Brigade [30] and the Israeli Navy.[31]

Other FIDF video productions promote the role of women in the IDF[32] and specific IDF operation such as Operation Protective Edge.[33] [34]

Every April, prominent FIDF supporters together with IDF officers go on a ten-day trip to the Nazi Death camps in Poland. The FIDF produced a thirty minute documentary ('From Holocaust to Independence') on the 2013 trip.[35]

The FIDF maintains an active twitter feed and has more than two and a half thousand twitter followers. During Operation Protective Edge the number of FIDF tweets increased substantially and included FIDF infographics. Also tweeted was a link, entitled 'IDF Soldiers Protect Israel 24/7/365 Make Sure They Know We Have Their Backs — Now More Than Ever Before', which allowed supporters to send a message of support to IDF soldiers.[36]

Donors, Supporters and Funding

Supporters and Donors

The Western Region/Los Angeles chapter of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) sponsor an annual 'Saving Lives Gala' to raise funds for the FIDF.[37]

According to the Jerusalem post the FIDF together with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews awarded over NIS 57 million to low-income soldiers in Israel between 2008 and 2013.[38] The two organisations declared that they would provide some NIS 12 million to 8,000 Israeli soldiers in 2014.[39]

In collaboration with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and the Israel Cultural Center of Korea the FIDF has sought to develop support for the IDF within South Korea which has a large Christian population.[40]

Through the FIDF's 'Adopt a Brigade project' [21] Oil Refineries Ltd. Israel's largest integrated refining and petrochemical group, has sponsored the Hatmar military unit. [41] In 2012 the IDF provided the following description of the programme:

as part of the project, 158 combat units are adopted by a company or a sponsor, providing a close connection and an annual 100,000 NIS, for three years. This is one of the largest community service projects in Israel, adding up to 16 million NIS a year. Since 2005, approximately 72 million NIS were transferred to the IDF. Additional donations of money and products were made, adding up to approximately 2.3 million NIS. Adopt a Fighter is the signature project of Friends of the IDF in which leading commercial companies in the Israeli economy adopt combat units, in the process forming an enriching, helpful partnership between the business sector and the combat units. The goal of the initiative is embrace combat soldiers who are engaged in daily fighting for long periods of time, risking their lives for the security of the State of Israel.[42]

In August 2012 Tzipi Livni, the Israeli Minister of Justice, spent a week giving talks and interviews in the United States on behalf of the FIDF. [43]

The FIDF has organised trips, accompanied by IDF soldiers, to Nazi death camps in Poland for financial contributors to the organisation. [44]

As well as aiding IDF soldiers the FIDF has provided support to the families of the South Lebanese Army - Israel's proxy force in southern Lebanon during the South Lebanon Conflict. [45]

In August 2014 Howard Gases, director of the New Jersey Chapter of Friends of the IDF commented in reference to the lone soldiers programme that:

"Over the years, people realize that they need to support the IDF... For a strong Israel to survive, we need a strong military and a happy military."[46]

In September 2014 reality TV star and music producer Simon Cowell donated $150,000 dollars to the FIDF.[47] Cowell had previously donated $50,000 to the organisation when he attended the Friends of the IDF Western Region Gala in Beverly Hills in October 2013.[48]

Singer Barabara Streisand is a supporter of the FIDF and has performed at FIDF events.[49]

Republican Congresswoman and prominent member of the Israel and Cuba lobbies, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, was the keynote speaker at an 'IDF experience boot camp' hosted by the FIDF at the Hebrew Academy (RASG) in Miami Florida.

Ros-Lehtinen... addressed anti-Israel sentiments, myths created by the media, and the importance of advocating on behalf of Israel.[50]

Operation Cast Lead

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During Operation Cast Lead the FIDF launched what it described as an 'FIDF Frontline Operation':

Following the recent developments in Israel and the on-going IDF "Cast Lead" Operation, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) has launched an Emergency Campaign, titled "FIDF Frontline Operation," aimed at raising awareness and funds to fulfill the immediate wellbeing needs of the IDF Soldiers on the frontlines of the Gaza Strip. In response to an emergency request from the IDF to supply more goods and wellbeing services to the thou-sands of active-duty and reserve soldiers deployed in the Gaza Strip area, FIDF is accelerating its activities to help soldiers in the field... FIDF has been there from the very beginning, distributing Care Packages to the IDF soldiers in the field. In an effort to reach each and every IDF soldier and guarantee their needs are provided, FIDF has already been supplying a variety of necessities including: Care Packages with personal hygiene products; Personal Sweet Packages filled with all their favorite sweet and savory snacks; Rest and Recreation Field Tents where soldiers can keep warm, relax, watch cable TV, enjoy food and drinks stations, and play board games; Portable Cell Phone Chargers so soldiers can contact their loved-ones; Warm Clothing; and Heating Devic-es. FIDF will continue to support the soldiers and accommodate their needs wherever they are.

With regard to the FIDF's efforts Yitzhak Gershon, National Director of the FIDF commented:

As Israeli ground forces enter the Gaza Strip and launch the second stage of Operation 'Cast Lead' aimed at fighting the Hamas terrorist organization and its infrastructure in the Gaza strip, it is imperative that the American Jewish Community stands side-by-side with these brave young men and women who are risking their lives to protect our Jewish homeland... [51]

The FIDF Western Region - Los Angeles Chapter boasted of having sponsored SPIRIT Weeks for every combat battalion that fought during Operation Cast Lead.[52]

Operation Pillar of Defense

In 2012 the FIDF boasted of supporting IDF soldiers during Operation Pillar of Defense:

During Israel's recent Operation Pillar of Defense, FIDF worked around the clock to ensure the IDF's hardworking soldiers were taken care of. Whether it was by sending packages of snacks and much-needed clothing or by sending a "Break from the Battlefield" package including an LCD TV screen and board games, soldiers were able to uphold hygiene and were kept entertained in their few moments off from the battlefield and during the difficult task of keeping Israel safe under fire.[53]

Operation Protective Edge

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During Operation Protective Edge in 2014 the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers received some NIS 2.5m from various supporting organisations including FIDF. [54] The FIDF reportedly provided millions of dollars of aid to soldiers engaged in the course of the operation:

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces this summer provided millions of dollars in emergency humanitarian aid to soldiers fighting terrorism in Gaza. Over a four-week period, July 9-Aug. 3, the humanitarian organization filled requests from the IDF for tens of thousands of toiletry and undergarment kits, as well as snack packets, during Operation Protective Edge. As the ground campaign into Gaza continued...FIDF supplied additional aid in the form of mobile showers, plus thousands of hydration bags, portable chargers and other items requested by soldiers in the field. When hostilities subside, the military has asked Friends of the IDF to give each lone soldier a trip back to his/her country of origin for time to visit with family. These trips will be given to individuals, even if they previously received such a trip as part of FIDF’s ongoing Lone Soldiers Program. Additionally, FIDF has been asked to send all combat soldiers from Operation Protective Edge for a week of R&R, under the auspices of its SPIRIT Program... The humanitarian organization also is providing aid to the 64 bereaved families who lost loved ones in the service of Israel this summer.[55]

On July 30 the FIDF National Chairman, Nily Falic announced that the FIDF's 'Israel's Soldiers Rapid Response Fund' had received online donations from more than 10,000 American donors with donations amounting to more than $2 million.[56]

During the conflict the FIDF organised a comedy event led by New York comedians Ari Teman, Danny Cohen and Benji Lovitt at an Iron Dome missile battery with the proceeds of the event going to FIDF. [57] The event was part of the comedy troupe's Rocket Shelter Comedy tour, with the catchphrase, "Stuck in a bomb shelter? We'll come to you." [58]

Fundraising Events

2015

In March 2015 the New York chapter of the FIDF held its annual Gala at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The event raised $24 million. The dinner was MCed by Fox News contributor Monica Crowley. The Genesis Philanthropy Group donated $1.3 million and Bernard Marcus, founder of the Home Depot, pledged $5 million for the FIDFs lone soldiers programme. The event was protested by Palestine solidarity campaigners.[59]

On January 11, 2015 the Palm Beach/Broward Region chapter of the FIDF held its 12th annual 'Solidarity Gala Dinner' at the Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. The event raised nearly $2.5 million. The keynote address was given by Col. (retired) Richard Kemp CBE, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan. Other attendees included Maj. Gen. Yaacov Ayish, Israel Defense and Armed Forces attaché to the U.S. and Canada; Chaim Shacham, Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico; Revital Malca, Deputy Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico; Gala Co-Chairs Alissa and Dr. Jay Maizes, and Jennifer and Craig Zeuner; Honorary Gala Co-Chairs Liora and Jerry Mizel; FIDF National Chair Nily Falic; FIDF National Executive Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF National Vice President Dr. Michael Kalisman; and FIDF Palm Beach/Broward Region Co-President Sam Moshe. [60]

2014

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On November 6, 2014 the FIDF Western Region Gala raised more than $33 million. Haim Saban and his wife Cheryl Saban served as co-chairs of the event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. [61]

Major donations included:

$10 million from Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of tech giant Oracle; $5.2 million from brothers Maurice Marciano and Paul Marciano of Guess Jeans; $5 million from leading Republican fundraisers Sheldon Adelson and Miriam Adelson; $3.6 million from Haim Saban and his wife Cheryl; $2 million from Steve Tisch, chairman and executive vice president of the New York Giants; $1.6 million from The Helmsley Charitable Trust; and $1 million from Leo David, founder of the Western Region of the FIDF. Michael and Susan Dell (of Dell computers) donated $1.8 million.[62]

Others present at the event included: Barbra Streisand, Marvel Studios founder and former CEO Avi Arad, Electus founder Ben Silverman, Israeli billionaire Vivi Nevo, developer and Los Angeles Police Commission president Steve Soboroff, Maker Studios CEO Ynon Kreiz, music producer David Foster, and actors Pamela Anderson and Chris Tucker.[62]

On January 25, 2014, the San Diego Chapter of the FIDF held its 4th annual 'Gala Appreciation Dinner' honouring the Israeli Navy at the Hilton San Diego Bay front. The keynote speaker at the event was Admiral (Ret.) Amihai Ayalon. Close to $700,000 was raised at the event. [63]

In October 2014 the FIDF's Ohio Chapter held its 'Annual Dinner Honoring Israel’s Soldiers'. The event was chaired by Richard Soclof and Elie Weiss (co-chairmen of the chapter) and by Lane Schlessel, the director of the chapter. [64]

On June 13, 2014 the Ohio chapter of the FIDF held a casino night to raise funds for the FIDF. More than $100,000 was raised at the event. [65]

A gala held in New York in March 2014 and attended by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz raised around $20 million dollars. The event was co-hosted by Fox News commentator Monica Crowley and Arthur Stark, CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond. The co-founder and former CEO of the latter company is Warren Eisenberg whose foundation (the Mitzi & Warren Eisenberg Family Foundation) is a major donor to the FIDF. The gala is held annually and at the 2014 event a video message from Binyamin Netanyahu was screened in which he thanked the FIDF for its support for the Israeli army:

Our army is a complement to Israel's sovereignty... There are those who seek to extinguish our lives. Anti-Semitism always changes its garland. But we have resolved to fight back. Thank you for helping the IDF fight back and secure a Jewish future.[66]

Other attendees at the event included: Air Force Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel; Post columnist Rabbi Shmuley Boteach; FIDF National Chairwoman Nily Falic; Israel military attaché in the US and Canada Maj.-Gen. Yaacob Ayish; IAF attaché to the US and Canada Brig.-Gen. Yakov Shaharabani; IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Motti Almoz; former IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi; New York Yankees president Randy Levine; American tycoon Mort Zuckerman; sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer; and executive director of the FIDF Tri-State Region, Richard Goldstein. [67]

In 2014 the FIDF's New York Real Estate Division held its third 'Annual Golf Outing'. Attendees included a lieutenant who had served on the frontlines during Operation Protective Edge. The event raised over $400,000:

the funding will help continue building FIDF NY Real Estate Division's current capital project, a Wellbeing Center for Revaya A Base of Battalion 71 of the 118th Brigade.[68]

At the NY Real Estate Division's annual gala $230,000 was raised. Attendees included active duty IDF Intelligence officers such as Second Lieutenant Roni Johnson of the IDF Combat Intelligence Corps. [69]

On December 6, 2014 the FIDF Young Leadership-NY held its 12th annual gala. The event raised over $500,000 for the IDF Iron Trails Brigade. [70]

The 2014 Michigan annual dinner raised more than $1 million dollars for the organisation. Attendees included FIDF National Executive Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF Chief Executive Officer Alan E. Scholnick; FIDF National Director and CEO Emeritus Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon; and FIDF Midwest Region Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim. Soldiers who served during Operation Protective Edge were also in attendance at the event.[71]

Another gala event held in Florida in March 2014 raised more than $3.3 million for the organisation. [72]

On April 6, 2014 the FIDF Western Region chapter held the 3rd annual 'Saving Lives Gala' an event held in conjunction with the Russian community of Los Angeles. The event, hosted at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, raised $335,000. The opening remarks at the event were given by Haim Saban while comedian and actor Elon Gold served as emcee. [73]

On October 21, 2014 the FIDF Long Island chapter held its 9th annual 'IDF Appreciation Evening'. The event raised $1.4 million. [74]

On July 23, 2014 the FIDF Long Island chapter held a fundraising barbecue at the home of Ravit Kraus and Robert Kraus. The event took place during Operation Protective Edge:

Despite the threatening weather, over 180 guests enjoyed great food, all while raising over $57,000 and counting for FIDF’s Rapid Response Fund. As such, all proceeds from the evening will go towards providing real-time aid to IDF soldiers on the ground during Operation Protective Edge.[75]

On November 8, 2014 the New Jersey chapter of the FIDF held its 10th annual 'IDF Tribute Dinner'. The event raised more than $600,000. The guest of honour was IDF Adm. (Ret.) Eliezer Marum, former Commander of the Israeli Navy.[76]

On October 30, 2014 the Chicago chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala in support of the IDF. $2 million was raised at the event. Prominent attendees included Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL); former Republican Representative Bob Dold, and the nominee for Illinois Governor, Bruce Rauner. Other attendees included FIDF National Chairman, Mrs. Nily Falic; FIDF National Executive Director, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alan E. Scholnick; FIDF National Director and CEO Emeritus, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon; and FIDF Midwest Region Executive Director, Tamir Oppenheim. The event was also attended by a number of soldiers who participated in Operation Protective Edge. [77]

On July 27, 2014 the FIDF's Central Region Women's Brigade hosted the women's brigade annual benefit. The event raised $65,000 for the FIDF's legacy program. [78]

On February 26, 2014 the the FIDF 'Palm Springs Benefit for Israel's Soldiers' was held at the Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. The event raised $212,000 for the FIDF. The keynote speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Avital Leibovich, Head of the Interactive Media Branch at the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. At the event Leibovich commented that:

Digital media has revolutionized the way we are able to reach audiences globally and with it our potential to change public opinion. The media war is an ongoing battle for public opinion... As head of the IDF’s Interactive Media Branch, we manage 30 individual digital media accounts across 9 platforms 24/7. The IDF has accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram and Google +, as well as the official IDF Blogs and thousands of videos on our YouTube accounts. And we do it all in six languages..." [79]

On July 14, 2004 the Chicago chapter held its annual 'Guys Night Out Event' at the Dana Hotel, Chicago:

The annual event allows local FIDF supporters to connect for a good cause, while sampling fine cigars, top-shelf bourbon, BBQ and casino-style gaming, at the Dana Hotel’s Vertigo Sky Lounge overlooking downtown Chicago.

The event raised over $110,000 for the FIDF.[80]

In 2014 the San Francisco chapter of the FIDF held a Gala Dinner attended by 450 supporters of the FIDF. It was not reported how much money was raised at the event. [81]

In 2014 the Young Leadership Division of the Greater Miami and Palm Beach/Broward Chapters of the FIDF held its 10th annual casino night. The event raised $115,000.[82]

On February 27, 2014 the FIDF Greater Miami Chapter held its 2014 Solidarity Gala. Attendees included Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the U.S. and Canada, Maj. Gen. Yaacob Ayish. The event raised $3.3 million for the FIDF.[83]

On October 30, 2014 the New England chapter of the FIDF held its annual dinner at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in Boston. Ten soldiers who fought in Operation Protective Edge were present at the event. The keynote speaker was Ron Dermer, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event.[84]

2013

The New York Real Estate Division of the FIDF began an annual golf tournament in 2012 which raised $270,000 in 2013 and $250,000 in 2012.[85]

The 2013 New York Gala reportedly raised $27 million. The event was chaired by Arthur Stark, FIDF Chairman Emeritus whilst radio host, Dr. Monica Crowley, served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Other attendees included: FIDF National Chairman, Nily Falic; FIDF National President, Julian Josephson; FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon; Former IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. (Res.) Gabi Ashkenazi; Founder and President of The International Fellowship of Christian and Jews, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein; Israeli-American fashion designer, Elie Tahari; President of the New York Yankees, Randy Levine and his wife, Mindy; American real estate tycoon and media proprietor, Mort Zuckerman; and American sex therapist, media personality, and author, Dr. Ruth Westheimer. [86]

On October 22, 2013 the FIDF Western Region Gala was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. More than $20 million was raised at the event. Musicians Lionel Richie and David Foster were in attendance as was Simon Cowell who donated $150,000. Haim Saban and his wife Cheryl Saban served as chairs at the event. Major donations included $4.5 million from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Founder and President of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, $3.5 million from Vicki and Ron Simms of Simms Commercial Development, $2.3 million from Cheryl and Haim Saban, $2 million from Younes Nazarian, Co-Founder of Qualcomm, and his wife Soraya, and $1 million from Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle.

The event was emceed by FIDF National and Western Region President, Julian Josephson. Attendees included Avi Arad, CEO of Marvel Studios and Founder of Arad Productions Inc., and his wife Joyce, Avi Lerner, Co-Chairman of NuImage, brothers Maurice and Paul Marciano of Guess Jeans, Ben Silverman, Founder and CEO of Electus, and his wife Jennifer Cuoco, Casey Wasserman of Wasserman Media Group, and Eli Tene, Co-Founder, Co-Managing Director and Principal of Peak Corporate Network and a Co-Founder and former Co-Chairman of the Israeli American Council, and his wife Dafna. FIDF members present included Nily Falic, FIDF National Chairman, Julian Josephson, FIDF National and Western Region President, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon, FIDF National Director and CEO, Leo David, FIDF Western Region Founder and Chairman, and his wife Ruth. [87]

On March 19, 2013 the Western Region chapter of the IDF held the 2nd annual 'Saving Lives Gala'. Held at the Universal Hilton Hotel the event raised $305,000. Attendees included the Consul General of Israel David Siegel, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congressman Brad Sherman, and Congressman Henry Waxman. [88]

On January 19, 2013, the San Diego Chapter of the Friends of Israel Defense Forces held its annual 'Gala Appreciation Dinner' in honour of the Israeli Air Force. Speakers at the event included keynote speaker Brigadier General David Bark and Major General Avi Mizrachi. More than $500,000 was raised at the event.[89]

On November 14, 2013 the Long Island chapter of the FIDF held its 8th annual 'IDF Appreciation Evening'. The event raised more than $1 million. [90]

On November 23, 2013 the FIDF New Jersey chapter held its 9th annual 'IDF Tribute Dunner'. $1.1 million was raised at the event. The keynote speaker was Maj. Gen. Yaacov Ayish, Israel’s Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the U.S. and Canada. [91]

In September 2013 the New York Real Estate Division of the FIDF held its second 'Annual Golf Outing' which raised $270,000. [92]

In 2013 the San Francisco chapter of the FIDF held a Gala Dinner to raise funds for the FIDF. It was not reported how much money was raised at the event. [93]

On July 2, 2013 the FIDF Central Region Women's Brigade hosted a 'Ladies Night Out' attended by more than 100 women from the Chicago area to raise money for the FIDF LEGACY program. Over $60,000 was raised at the event. [94]

On October 3, 2013 the FIDF Michigan chapter held its 17th annual gala. No data on how much was raised at the event appears to be available.[95]

On October 17, 2013 the Ohio chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. Attendees included former Israel Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Dr. Ephraim Sneh. It was not reported how much was raised at the event. [96]

On May 30, 2013 the Ohio Chapter of the FIDF held its 2nd annual 'Guys Night Out' at the Beechmont Country Club in Cleveland, OH. The event raised over $100,000.[97]

On February 28, 2013 the Greater Miami chapter of the FIDF held its annual Solidarity Gala. The event raised $2.5 million. Speakers at the event included British Army, Colonel Richard Kemp:

Colonel Kemp shed light on “Operation Pillar of Defense,” and commended the Israel army for exercising extreme discretion and accuracy when targeting terrorist groups such as Hamas in order to prevent casualties...

The event was co-chaired by Edith and Joel Newman. The keynote speaker was Cesar Alvarez Executive Chairman of Greenberg-Traurig, an international law firm.[98]

On January 18, 2013 the Palm Beach/Broward Region chapter of the FIDF held its annual Solidarity Gala. The event raised more than $1.4 million. The keynote speaker at the event was Avi Mizrahi. Attendees included honourees Dr. Robert Litowitz and Donna Litowitz and the recipients of the FIDF award - Dr. Gail Rubin Kwal and Richard Kwal. Other attendees included: FIDF National Chairman, Nily Falic; FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon; Counsel General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico, Chaim Shacham; Deputy Counsel General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico, Revital Malka; and Israel Ministry of Defense Attaché to Canada, Brig. Gen. Eden Attias.[99]

On November 19, 2013 the New England Chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event. Prominent attendees included Lieutenant General (Res.) Gabi Ashkenazi, Leonard Adelson and Irwin Chafetz. [100]

On May 7, 2013 the Atlanta chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala at the Georgia Aquarium. More than $250,000 was raised at the event. Prominent attendees included: FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Gershon; FIDF Deputy National Director, Col. (Ret.) Pinhas Zoaretz; Israel's Naval Attaché, Capt. Ronen Nimni and keynote speaker, Head of the IDF Command and Staff College, Maj. Gen. Yoseph Baidatz.[101]

On May 14, 2013 the Washington D.C. chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala at the Washington Hebrew Congregation. More than $350,000 was raised at the event. Attendees included keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Gershon, FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. Yaacov Ayish, Israel’s Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the U.S. and Canada, and Capt. Ronen Nimni, Israel’s Naval Attaché.

A message of support was sent by US Vice President Joseph Biden:

Our Administration remains committed to the security of the State of Israel and to promoting a lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors. Organizations like FIDF play a significant role as our two nations continue working toward these goals,” mentioned Biden in a special greeting letter that he submitted to FIDF to be read at the event.[102]

On October 29, 2013, the FIDF’s Baltimore Chapter held their 5th Annual Gala. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event.[103]

On May 5, 2013 the Texas chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. The event raised $300,000. The keynote speaker at the event was IDF Maj. Gen. Yaacov Ayish, Israel’s Defense and Armed Services attaché to the United States and Canada.[104]

2012

Singer Stevie Wonder had been due to perform at an FIDF gala in December 2012 but pulled out after being asked not to by a number of organisations.[105] The singer Chaka Khan did perform at the event which raised some $14m for the FIDF.[106] Other attendees included: CEO of Oracle,Larry Ellison; Co-Founders of Guess, Maurice Marciano and Paul Marciano; Israel’s Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the U.S. and Canada, Maj. Gen. Yaakov Ayash; FIDF National Chairman, Nily Falic; FIDF National President, Julian Josephson; FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Gershon; Hollywood film producer, Meir Tepper and his wife Katya Tepper; Israeli actresses Noa Tishby and Moran Atias; actors Dolph Lundgren and Robert Forster; Avi Arad of Arad Productions, Inc; Avi Lerner of NuImage; Mel Woods, President of MGA Entertainment; Ben Silverman, former Chairman of NBC; Roger Ailes of the Fox News Channel; Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures; and Danny Dimbort of Red Granite Pictures. [107]

On May 17, 2012 the Washington chapter of the FIDF held its inaugural Founders' Dinner at Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland. Over $300,000 was raised at the event. The event was held in honour of Major General Gadi Shamni, Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the United States and Canada. Other attendees included: National FIDF Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon; Director of Policy and Government Affairs at American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Marvin Feuer; Attaché from Spain Rear Admiral Javier Romero; Pastor Emeritus of Windsor Hills Baptist Church and Director of Yedidim of Israel, Dr. Jim Vineyard; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Trade and Regional Security, Beth McCormick. [108]

On February 23, 2012 the Western Region chapter of the FIDF, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Russian Community, held the first annual 'Saving Lives Gala'. The event raised $225,000. [109]

On October 16, 2012 the FIDF's Long Island chapter held its 7th annual 'IDF Appreciation Evening'. The keynote speaker was Dr. Ruth Westheimer who served in the Haganah in 1948. The event raised over $850,000. [110]

On May 23, 2012 FIDF supporters from the Long Island area attended the 'Five Towns and Greater South Shore Inaugural Community Event'. The event raised over $300,000.[111]

On December 15, 2012 the New Jersey chapter of the FIDF held its 8th annual 'IDF Tribute Dinner'. The event raised more than $1 million. The keynote speaker at the event was the Consul General of Israel in New York, Ido Aharoni. Other prominent attendees included FIDF National Chairman Emeritus Arthur Stark and FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon. [112]

On September 12, 2012 the New York Real Estate Division of the FIDF held its first 'Annual Gold Outing'. The event raised more than $250,000.[113]

On January 21, 2012 the San Diego chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. Co-chaired by Jackie S. Gmach, Marilyn Smiedt and Barbara Warren the event's keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Moshe Ya’alon, Vice Prime Minister of Israel. [114]

In 2012 the San Francisco chapter of the FIDF held a Gala Dinner to raise funds for the FIDF. It was not reported how much money was raised at the event. [115]

On October 29, 2012 the FIDF Central Region held its annual dinner at the Hilton Chicago. The Keynote speaker was Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Former IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Moshe Ya’alon. Other prominent attendees included: FIDF National Chairman, Nily Falic; FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. Res. Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon and FIDF Central Region Chairman, Jorde Nathan. The event raised $1.3 million.[116]

On August 5, 2012 the FIDF Central Region held a 'Summer Benefit for Israel's Soldiers'. The keynote speaker was Former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni:

Tzipi Livni... discussed the challenges facing Israel in a changing global environment.

Attendees included Sgt. Izzy Ezagui a soldier wounded in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead. The event raised $1.6 million for the FIDF.[117]

In 2012 the Michigan chapter of the FIDF held its 16th annual gala dinner. Data on how much was raised at the event does not appear to be available.[118]

On September 11, 2012 the Ohio chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. It was not reported how much was raised at the event.[119]

In 2012 the Greater Miami chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. The event raised more than $2.3 million. Attendees included FIDF National Chairman, Nily Falic; FIDF National Director, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon; President of the Greater Miami Chapter, Dr. Shmuel Katz; Executive Director of the FIDF Florida Region, Dina Ben-Ari; and Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the U.S. and Canada, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni. [120]

On January 8, 2012 the Palm Beach/Broward Region chapter of the FIDF held its annual Solidarity Gala. Prominent attendees included IDF Major General Gadi Shamni, Israel’s Defense and Armed Forces Attache’ to the United States and Canada, IDF Colonel Eyal Rozen and IDF Major Oron Mincha. More than $1.3 million was raised at the event. [121]

On May 17, 2012 the Washington DC chapter of the FIDF held its inaugural Founders’ Dinner. Over $300,000 was raised at the event. Attendees included Major General Gadi Shamni, Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the United States and Canada; FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Gershon; Director of Policy and Government Affairs at American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Marvin Feuer; Attaché from Spain Rear Admiral Javier Romero; Pastor Emeritus of Windsor Hills Baptist Church and Director of Yedidim of Israel, Dr. Jim Vineyard; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Trade and Regional Security, Beth McCormick.[122]

On December 11, 2012 the Midatlantic Region (Baltimore) chapter of the FIDF held its fourth annual gala. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event.[123]

2011

At the 30th annual FIDF dinner in New York on March 22, 2011 over $23 million were raised for the FIDF. The keynote speaker was then minister of defence Ehud Barak. Other attendees included six former IDF Chiefs of staff - Lt. Gen. (Res.) Amnon Lipkin-Shahak (1995-1998), Lt. Gen. (Res.) Shaul Mofaz (1998-2002), Lt. Gen. (Res.) Moshe Ya'alon (2002-2005), Lt. Gen. (Res.) Dan Halutz (2005-2007), and Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi (2007-2011) and (by satellite link) then current chief of staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz. Contributions included $8.5 million donated by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

The event, held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, was chaired for the fifteenth time by Benny Shabtai. Author and radio host Dr. Monica Crowley served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.[124] [125]

On December 8th, 2011 the Western Region chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala. Chaired by Cheryl and Haim Saban the event raised more than $2.5 million. According to the FIDF website gala co-chairs included:

Roger and Beth Ailes, Joyce & Avi Arad, Itta & Irving Bauman, Hon. Lili & Jon Bosse, Megan & Peter Chernin, Lissa & Adam Chesnoff, Ruth & Leo David, Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Mathias Dopfner, Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Mel Keefer, Erika Glazer, Sue & Larry Hochberg, Kennon & Robert Hudson, the Israeli Leadership Council, Tsipi & Daniel Mani, Mareva & Paul Marciano, Kelly & Ron Meyer, Pouran & Parviz Nazarian, Joelle & Jack Rimokh, Linda & Tony Rubin, Fela & David Shapell, Vicki & Ron Simms, Susan & Eric Smidt, David Wiener, Andrea & Steve Wynn and Joyce Zeff. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces was represented by the presence of National Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon, National Chairman Nily Falic, National President Julian Josephson and National Vice President and President of the Western Region Rabbi Isaac Jeret.

Celebrity attendees included Antonio Banderas and Barbra Streisand who performed at the event.[126]

The annual Gala Dinner of the FIDF Michigan Chapter was held on October 25, 2011. [127] The event reportedly raised $1.6 million.[128]

On September 20, 2011 the Long Island chapter of the FIDF held its 6th Annual 'IDF Appreciation Evening'. More than $650,000 was raised at the event. [129]

On November 5, 2011 the New Jersey chapter of the FIDF held its 7th annual 'IDF Tribute Dinner'. More than $600,000 was raised at the event. [130]

On December 12, 2011 the New York Real Estate Division of the FIDF reported that it had thus far raised $470,000 towards the costs of building an expanded 'Wellbeing Center' for IDF soldiers of Armor Battalion 71 of the 188th Brigade:

This state of the art facility will include a gym, media room, library, canteen and club, and will allow soldiers to unwind and relax from the rigors of daily life on a combat base.[131]

On September 26, 2011 the FIDF Central Region Chapter held its annual dinner at the Hilton Chicago. The event raised more than $1.6 million. Prominent attendees included Honorary Dinner Chair Lester Crown, Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, US Congressman Robert J. Dold, Israel’s Consul General to the Midwest Orly Gil, visiting IDF Attachés from Washington DC and IDF soldiers from Israel. The keynote speaker was Lieutenant General (retired) H. Steven Blum. Also in attendance was an Israeli tank commander, Ron Weinreich, who was wounded in the Second Lebanon War.[132]

On September 9, 2011 the FIDF Central Region Chapter held its summer event. Hosted by Hezi Levy, Israel Levy, and [[[Judd Malkin]] the principle guest speaker was Meir Dagan, former Director of the Mossad. Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon National Director of the FIDF was also present at the event. The event raised a total of $5.6 million. [133]

On September 7, 2011 the Ohio chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. It was not reported as to how much money was raised at the event. [134]

On March 8, 2011 the Greater Miami chapter of the FIDF held its annual Solidarity Dinner. Attendees included George Feldenkreis and his children: Fanny Feldenkreis Hanono and Oscar Feldenkrei. The event raised $2 million for the FIDF.[135]

In 2011 the Palm Beach/Broward Chapter of the FIDF held its annual Gala Dinner. Attendees included Senator and Mrs. Ted Deutch, FIDF National President Nily Falic and FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yitzhak Gershon. The keynote speakers were Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Giora Eiland, head of Israel’s National Security Council and Professor Alan Dershowitz. It was not reported how much was raised at the event.[136]

On October 23, 2011 the Midatlantic Region (Baltimore) Chapter of the FIDF held its 3rd annual gala dinner. The keynote speaker at the event was former US Senator Joseph Lieberman. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event. [137]

2010

The FIDF 2010 National New York Gala Dinner raised $20 million including the following major gifts: $4 million from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ); $750,000 from The Genesis Philanthropy, $500,000 from the Iranian American Jewish Federation of New York (IAJF); and $100,000 from fashion designer Elie Tahari.

The keynote speaker at the dinner was the then Chief of the IDF General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. The event was chaired by Mr. Benny Shabatai. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who addressed the gathering via satellite.

Notable attendees included: IDF Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu; Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, Professor Gabriela Shalev; Israel’s Consul General in New York, Assaf Shariv; Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the U.S.A. and Canada, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni; popular Israeli musician, Idan Reichel; and photojournalist Ziv Koren. [138]

The Western Region Gala held at the Los Angeles Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel on December 9th 2010 raised $8.8 Million. The event was chaired by Cheryl Saban and Haim Saban. Donations included $1 million from Leo David (founder and then Chairman of the FIDF Western Region) 1$ million from Paul Guerin (FIDF Western Region President) and his wife Vera Guerin, $1.5 million from Paul Marciano and his brother Maurice Marciano.

According to the FIDF gala co-chairs included:

Roger and Beth Ailes, Adele & Beny Alagem, Joyce & Avi Arad, Itta & Irving Bauman, Lili & Jon Bosse, Les Moonves and the CBS Corporation, Megan & Peter Chernin, Lissa & Adam Chesnoff, Ruth & Leo David, Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Mel Keefer, Erika Glazer, Susan Graysen, Vera & Paul Guerin, Sue & Larry Hochberg, the Israeli Leadership Council, The Jena & Michael King Foundation, The Maurice Marciano Family Foundation, Paul Marciano, Barry & Wendy Meyer Foundation, Joelle & Jack Rimokh, Linda & Tony Rubin, Fela & David Shapell, Ben Silverman & Jennifer Cuoco, the Simms/Mann Family Foundation, Susan & Eric Smidt, Laura & Casey Wasserman, Adi & Phil Werthman, David Wiener, and Ann & Mel Woods.

Three musicians performed at the event: David Foster, Andrea Bocelli and Katherine McPhee. [139]

On August 2, 2010 the FIDF sponsored a Nefesh B’Nefesh chartered flight bringing 85 new IDF soldiers from the U.S. to Israel. The Western Region chapter's chairman of the National Rabbinic Cabinet, Rabbi Isaac Jeret accompanied the soldiers on the flight to Tel Aviv. [140]

On November 20th, 2010 the Westchester/Connecticut Chapter of the FIDF held its 7th annual Gala dinner. Over $400,000 were raised at the event. [141] In the course of 2010 the Westchester/Conneticut chapter raised over $2.5 million.[142]

On September 21, 2010 the FIDF's Long Island chapter held its 5th Annual 'IDF Appreciation Evening'.[143]

On May 23, 2010 the FIDF's Long Island Teen Leadership held a barbecue to raise funds for the FIDF. More than $10,000 was raised.[144]

On November 6, 2010 the New Jersey chapter of the FIDF held its 6th annual 'IDF Tribute Dinner'. More than $500,000 was raised at the event.[145]

On November 16, 2010 the New York Real Estate division of the FIDF held its fifth annual 'Real Estate reception'. The event raised close to $500,000 for use by the Ga'ash Armor Division in the occupied Golan Heights:

On November 16th, 2010 more than 600 guests filled Gotham Hall in NYC in support of the soldiers of the IDF. The emotional night raised nearly $500,000 to be used in the construction of four wellbeing centers for the Ga'ash Armor Division in the Golan Heights. The Ga'ash Armor Division is the largest armor division in the IDF and these wellbeing centers will provide its combat soldiers with a much-deserved place to relax and recharge, away from the daily stress of life in a combat unit.[146]

On October 30, 2010 the San Diego Chapter of the FIDF held its first annual gala. The keynote speaker at the event was former head of the Mossad, Major General (Ret.) Danny Yatom:

Yatom warned the audience that terrorism will not stop and Iran is a threat not only to Israel, but the United States and the rest of the world. [147]

In its report on the event the FIDF website included the following comment:

A special thanks to the honorees of the evening, Charles and Randi Wax from San Diego, California, Carl and Gigi Allen of Texas and Carl and Elizabeth Allen Sr. of Atlanta for their continued support and commitment to Israel. As a result of their generosity, several clubhouses have been built on IDF bases. In addition, a recreational/auditorium complex, the largest to date on an IDF on the Golan, has also been built.[147]

On October 19, 2010 the FIDF Central Region held its 23rd annual dinner. It was not reported how much money was raised at the event. Attendees included keynote speaker IDF Major General and Director of Military Intelligence Amos Yadlin. Also present was IDF Lieutenant General (ret.) Dan Haloutz.[148]

In the summer of 2010 the FIDF Central Region held its annual summer benefit event. Hosted by Hezi Levy and Judd Malkin the keynote speaker was IDF Major General Gadi Shamni. The event raised $4.3 million for the FIDF.[149]

On October 5, 2010 the Ohio chapter of the FIDF held its annual gala dinner. The special guest at the event was Maj. Gen. (Res.) Moshe Kaplinsky, CEO of Better Place, Israel Ltd. and the FIDF representative in Israel. It was not reported how much was raised at the event.[150]

On October 9, 2010 the Miami Young Leadership Division of the FIDF in conjunction with Dezer Development and Universal Insurance Inc. held its 6th Annual Poker & Casino Night. The event raised more than $165,000.[151]

On March 11, 2010 the Greater Miami chapter of the FIDF held its annual Solidarity Dinner. The honourees at the dinner were Michael Dezer and Neomi Dezer. Other attendees included Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi, Chief of the Israel Defense Forces General Staff and Professor Alan Dershowitz, of Harvard Law School. The event raised close to $1,700,000.[152]

On November 15, 2010 the New England chapter of the FIDF held its seventh annual. Speakers included Shai Bazak, the Israeli Consul General to New England and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event. [153]

On April 14, 2010 the Atlanta chapter of the FIDF held its inaugural annual dinner. The event was chaired by Billi and Bernard Marcus. It was not reported as to how much was raised at the event.[154]

2009

On December 17, 2009 the FIDF Western Region chapter held its annual Gala which raised $5.2 million. The event was chaired by Cheryl & Haim Saban. Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame served as Master of Ceremonies for the event whose Co-Chairs included Adele & Beny Alagem, Joyce & Avi Arad, Steve Bing, Joyce & Stanley Black, Ruth & Leo David, Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Mel Keefer, Erika Glazer, Vera & Paul Guerin, Sue & Larry J. Hockberg, Israeli Leadership Council, Jena & Michael King, Avi Lerner & Danny Dimbort, Nathalie & Maurice Marciano, Katherine Merage, Soraya & Younes Nazarian, Fela & David Shapell, Victoria & Ron Simms, Adi & Philip Werthman, and Lila & David Wiener. Major donations included $1.6 million from Haim Saban and his wife Cheryl and $1 million pledged by Western Region President Paul Guerin. Victoria and Ron Simms donated $500,000 and a donation of the same amount was pledged by Erika Glazer.[155]

The New Jersey Chapter of the Friends of the FIDF hosted its Fifth Annual Gala Dinner on October 24, 2009 at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel, East Rutherford New Jersey. Over $400,000 were raised. Attendees included: Major General Yoav Galant – then Commander of the IDF Southern Command. Israeli Consul General Mr. Asaf Shariv, Colonel – Michael Edelstein, Deputy Consul General Benjamin Krasnow, Israel’s Economic Minister to North America Yair Shiran. The event co-chairs were Mr. & Mrs. Sammy Bar Or, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gross, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Gross and Mr. Avi Oren. [156]

On December 5th, 2009 1300 young FIDF supporters attended the 2009 Casino Night Gala at the the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. British singer Estelle was amongst those present. Approximately half a million dollars was raised at the event.[157]

On October 24, 2009 the New Jersey chapter of the FIDF held its fifth annual 'IDF Tribute Dinner'. The event raised more than $400,000. Attendees included: keynote speaker Major General Yoav Galant – Commander of the IDF Southern Command; Israeli Consul General Asaf Shariv; Colonel – Michael Edelstein; Deputy Consul General Benjamin Krasnow; and Israel’s Economic Minister to North America Yair Shiran. [158]

On December 5, 2009 the FIDF Young Leadership - New York chapter held its 7th annual Casino Night Gala. The event raised approximately $500,000. Attendees included British singer-songwriter, Estelle. [159]

On October 21, 2009 the FIDF Central Region presented Jeffrey Silverman with the Yonatan Netanyahu Award. The event was hosted by Chairman Jorde M. Nathan and Vice-Chairmen Hezi Levy. The keynote speaker was IDF Lieutenant General (Res.) Dan Haloutz, Former IDF Chief of the General Staff and Former Commander of the Israeli Air Force. More than $2.2 million was raised at the event. [160]

On October 17, 2009 the Florida FIDF Young Leadership Division held its annual Poker & Casino Night. The event raised more than $125,000.[161]

On November 16, 2009 the New England chapter of the FIDF held its annual fundraising dinner. The event raised $650,000. Guest speakers at the event were Colonel Richard Kemp, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan and Major General (Ret.) Danny Yatom, former Head of the Mossad:

He [Richard Kemp] received a standing ovation from the crowd for his courageous defense of the ethical behavior of the soldiers of the IDF by refuting the allegations of the Goldstone Report on the 2009 Gaza Campaign at the United Nations.[162]

Funding and finances

In 2012 the total assets of the organisation amounted to $126,649,916[163] Since 2000 FIDF has declined to reveal the names of its foreign grantees.[164]

The table below provides data on the top ten charitable foundation donors to FIDF. For the complete breakdown of known charitable contributions to the FIDF: FIDF: sources of funding

Top Twenty Foundation Donors to FIDF. Amounts in US$.[165]
Foundation 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total 2002-2013
Leroy Schecter Foundation 0 0 0 0 110,000 1,150,000 416,700 1,383,767 1,700,920 2,700,000 550 000 0 8,011,387
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,000,000 3,425,000 2,516,000 0 0 7,941,000
Marcus Foundation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,000 1,800 1,000,000 2,025,000 - 3,031,800
David and Fela Shapell Family Foundation 330,000 526,100 0 95,500 75,200 103,571 360,000 355,200 365,500 350,400 50,900 14,000 2,626,371
Shillman Foundation 0 8,092 303,250 250,000 275,000 250,500 298,000 254,000 302,000 250,000 250,250 0 2,441,092
Mitzi & Warren Eisenberg Family Foundation 43,050 225,000 150,000 141,000 140,000 25,000 326,000 25,000 300,000 170,000 350,000 - 1,895,050
Leona M. & Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,600,000 1,600,000
Thomas Jefferson Rosenberg Foundation 0 250,000 253,000 247,300 174,479 109,500* 207,200* 111,000* 1,000* 208,350* 30,500* - 1,592,329
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston 0 0 0 0 217,070 529,280 110,080 227,750 93,708 120,380 192,730 - 1,490,998
Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland 50,000 32,255 106,500 66,619 152,855 146,720 25,020 124,116 25,650 108,321 184,129 - 1,022,185
Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation - - 110,000 - 110,000 0 250,000 0 250,000 0 250 000 - 970,000
Lisa and Michael Leffell Foundation 1,860 8,050 20,200 27,520 71,410 538,000 64,000 75,750 100,000 4,040 0 0 910,830
Michael and Florence Edelstein Foundation - - - 0 110,000 10,000 5,425 122,400 110,000 10,000 360,000 100,000 827,825
Circle of Service Foundation 0 100,000 50,000 0 104,360 50,000 50,000 52,000 100,000 50,540 50,000 52,500 659,400
Julie and Martin Franklin Charitable Foundation 1,000 11,500 0 7,400 12,000 1,800 100,000 10,000 100,720 199,280 100,500 - 544,200
United Jewish Foundation 0 0 24,720 55,500 164,900 101,175 25,725 24,310 24,084 5,000 55,260 31,110 511,784
Galter Foundation 25,000 60,000 125,000 116,000 116,000 56,000 0 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,500 503,500
Weintraub Family Foundation - - - - - 201,090 100,000 0 8,000 3,000 126,000 - 438,090
M. B. Seretean Foundation 0 12,000 16,800 105,618 92,000 176,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 402,418
Jacques Asseoff Charitable Trust 73,810 60,000 50,527 45,687 48,905 45,000 - - - - - - 397,439




Revenue and Assets of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in $[166]
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total 2008-2012
Investment Income 106,070 212,663 243,785 405,719 1,167,418 1,954,464 1,534,680 1,051,672 1,350,890 928,602 1,258,817 10,214,780
Income from Fundraising Events 3,997,765 5,496,641 6,317,489 8,630,171 9,914,798 13,048,567 13,549,482 13,124,230 13,829,483 34,478,879 42,703,695 165,091,200
Total Revenue 15,112,321 17,747,201 23,246,089 32,228,513 47,654,966 61,131,706 48,131,029 47,012,549 58,224,980 62,187,145 68,314,942 480,991,441
Net Assets 10,800,478 16,839,581 21,174,928 29,799,980 43,332,745 68 247 687 70,573,765 71,507,990 79,632,929 80,893,831 87,003,328 579,807,242





Amounts Raised at Fundraising Events in US$[167]
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total 2008-2012
California Dinner N/S N/S - 748,443 1,206,232 2,216,003 0 0 0 0 - 4,170,678
Chicago Dinner N/S N/S 484,437 - - - - - - 2,166,173 - 2,650,610
Los Angeles Dinner N/S N/S - - - - 0 0 2,387,959 2,166,173 10,623,471 15,177,603
New York Dinner N/S N/S 2,902,531 2,235,596 3,506,025 4,406,081 5,087,781 3,838,005 4,153,350 18,744,640 17,378,478 62,252,487
Southern Florida Dinner N/S N/S 797,398 996,636 949,654 1,322,963 1,275,019 1,243,981 0 0 - 6,585,651
Non Differentiated Dinners 3,997,765 5,496,641 - - - - - - - - - 9,494,406
Other Events - - 2,133,123 4,649,496 4,252,887 5,103,520 7,186,682 8,042,244 7,288,174 11,401,893 14,701,746 64,759,765
Total Raised 3,997,765 5,496,641 6,317,489 8,630,171 9,914,798 13,048,567 13,549,482 13,124,230 13,829,483 34,478,879 42,703,695 165,091,200


People

Circa March 2015

FIDF National Staff

Circa November 2014

FIDF National Staff

Circa December 2012

As of the end of 2012 FIDF had 130 paid employees and 69 unpaid volunteers. [171]

National Board Members - circa 2015

Arthur Stark - Chairman * | Nily Falic - Chairman Emeritus * | Larry J. Hochberg - Chairman Emeritus * | Marvin Josephson - Chairman Emeritus | Robert Cohen - Vice President * | Morris Silverman - Vice President * | Dr. Michael Kalisman - Secretary * | Stephen Wayne Rubin, Esq - Legal Counsel * | Ricki Alon | Harvey Axelrod | Gary Balter | Sammy Bar-Or | Ronny Ben-Josef | Scott Black | Alan Brody | Ruth David | Leo David | Oscar Feldenkreis | Tony Felzen | William Fox | Al Frank | Pat Frank | Harry Gross * | Paul Guerin | Irwin Haber | Daniel J. Hyman | Mike Izak | Mark Jason | Jerry Kaplan | Dr. Shmuel Katz | Shari Kaufman | Alon Kaufman | Jared Kushner | Richard Kwal | Avi Lerner | Israel Levy | Nathan Lewinger | Nicole Lowenstein | Gerald Mizel | Sam Moshe | Jorde Nathan | Soraya Nazarian | Younes Nazarian | Ann Newman | Melinda Lowell Paltrow | Marc Perlman | Robert Polak | Peter Reisman | Israel Roizman | Tony Rubin | Ari Ryan | Haim Saban * | Monica Sasson | Steve Schultz | Robin Selati | Benny Shabtai | Fela Shapell | Gary Shiffman | Dr. Robert J. Shillman | Joseph Sieber | Ron Simms | Norman Smith | Garry Sobel | Lloyd Sokoloff | Rabbi Peter Weintraub | Elie Weiss | Michael Werner | David Wiener |Shahram Yaghoubzadeh | Ofer Yardeni | Robert Zarnegin | Arie Zweig *National Executive Committee Member[172]

National Board Members - circa 2014

Nily Falic - Chairman * Arthur Stark - Chairman Emeritus * | Larry J. Hochberg - Chairman Emeritus * | Marvin Josephson - Chairman Emeritus | Marc Jason - Vice Presidents * | Dr. Michael Kalisman - Vice Presidents* | Morris Silverman - Secretary * | Stephen Wayne Rubin, Esq - Legal Counsel* | Ricki Alon | Harvey Axelrod | Gary Balter | Sammy Bar-Or | Ronny Ben-Josef | Scott Black | Alan Brody | Robert Cohen | Ruth & Leo David | Oscar Feldenkreis | Tony Felzen | William Fox | Al Frank | Pat Frank | Martin E. Franklin | Erika Glazer | Fred Gluckman * | Harry Gross * | Daniel J. Hyman | Jerry Kaplan | Dr. Shmuel Katz | Shari Kaufman | Alon Kaufman | Jared Kushner | Richard Kwal | Avi Lerner | Israel Levy | Nathan Lewinger | Dr. Herbert London | Nicole Lowenstein | Gerald Mizel | Sam Moshe | Michael Nachman | Jorde Nathan | Soraya Nazarian | Younes Nazarian | Ann Newman | Melinda Lowell Paltrow | Marc Perlman | Robert Polak | Peter Reisman | Israel Roizman | Tony Rubin | Haim Saban * | Monica Sasson | Steve Schultz | Robin Selati | Benny Shabtai | Fela Shapell | David Shapell | Gary Shiffman | Dr. Robert Shillman | Joseph Sieber | Ron Simms | Norman Smith | Garry Sobel | Lloyd Sokoloff | Rabbi Peter Weintraub | Zev Weiss | Michael Werner | Dr. Phillip Werthman | David Wiener | Shahram Yaghoubzadeh | Ofer Yardeni | Robert Zarnegin | Arie Zweig

  • National Executive Committee Member[173]

Notable Supporters

Bruce C.Abrams, President LR Development Co., Prism Mortgage Co. [174]

Chapters

The FIDF has the following regional chapters: Long Island | New Jersey | Westchester/CT | New York | NY Real Estate Division | Young Leadership NY | Los Angeles | San Diego | San Francisco Bay Area | Seattle | Chicago | Michigan | Ohio | Greater Miami | Palm Beach/Broward | New England | Southeast Region | Midatlantic | Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey | Texas | Panama | Las Vegas [175]

Resources, Contact, Notes

Resources

Contact

Address: 1430 Broadway No. 1301, New York, NY 10018

Tel: (212) 244-3118

Web: http://www.fidf.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIDFNational?ref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FIDF

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7K7G-2SYPJRGH17-rCI8mQ

Notes

  1. ↑ Shuki Sadeh, 'The Israeli army's big, green donation machine', Haaretz, 25 April 2014
  2. ↑ Data compiled from filings of Form 990s 2002 - 2013.
  3. ↑ 'About FIDF', Friends of the Israel Defence Forces Website, accessed 17 September 2014
  4. ↑ States News Service, 'FIDF REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH THE SOLDIERS THEY SUPPORT IDF EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION FOR THE ORGANIZATION ON ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY, AS AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE DELEGATIONS VISITS MILITARY BASES AND MEETS WITH COMBAT SOLDIERS', States News Service, 2 May 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Fleisch, Eric; Sasson, Theodore, 'The New Philanthropy: American Jewish Giving to Israeli Organizations', Brandeis Institutional Repository, 27 April 2012, accessed 2 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Gil Ronen and Tova Dvorin, 'New Wave of Olim Inspired by Fallen Lone Soldiers', Arutz Sheva 7, 7 August 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Erin Burnett, 'Rebels Hand Over MH17 Black Boxes To Investigators; Death Toll Climbing in the Middle East; Interview With Rep. Eliot Engel', CNN, 21 July 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  8. ↑ States News Service, '127 VOLUNTEERS FROM NORTH AMERICA TO SOON ENLIST IN THE IDF', States News Service, 14 August 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  9. ↑ FIDF Website A record of 104 new IDF Lone Soldiers made Aliyah on jumbo charter flight sponsored by FIDF. Accessed 2 March 2015.
  10. ↑ Adam Horowitz, 'Is this ‘natural growth’? American immigrants flood Israeli settlements, backed by the Israeli government', Mondoweiss,8 July 2009, accessed 4 March 2015
  11. ↑ Bracha Kurtzer, 'Nefesh B'Nefesh brings largest number of future IDF soldiers on chartered plane. 85 of 234 new olim brought in by aliya group plan to join the army', Jerusalem Post, 4 August 2010, accessed 19 March 2015.
  12. ↑ Staff, 'Pre-Independence Barbecue', Jerusalem Post, 12 April 2013, accessed 19 March 2015.
  13. ↑ FIDF Website Impact. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  14. ↑ FIDF Website Identity and Purpose Programs. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  15. ↑ FIDF Website Israeli Journey. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  16. ↑ FIDF Website Amir Course. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  17. ↑ FIDF Website Eitan Program. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  18. ↑ FIDF Website Formal Education Program. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  19. ↑ FIDF Website DIGNITY. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  20. ↑ FIDF Website SPIRIT. Accessed 29 September 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 FIDF Website Adopt a Brigade. Accessed 30 September 2014. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Adopt" defined multiple times with different content
  22. ↑ FIDF Website Spiritual Needs Program. Accessed 30 September 2014.
  23. ↑ FIDF Website LEGACY Program. Accessed 30 September 2014.
  24. ↑ FIDF Website Lone Soldiers. Accessed 30 September 2014.
  25. ↑ FIDF Website Wounded Soldiers Sports and Recreation Program. Accessed 30 September 2014.
  26. ↑ FIDF Website Construction Projects. Accessed 30 September 2014.
  27. ↑ FIDF Youtube Unit 8200, Israel's Central Intelligence Corps: The Secret Revealed. Accessed 9 March 2015.
  28. ↑ FIDF Youtube IDF's K-9 Oketz Unit - Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Accessed 9 March 2015.
  29. ↑ FIDF Youtube IDF Combat Intelligence Corps: Atlanta Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Accessed 9 March 2015.
  30. ↑ FIDF Youtube IDF Golani Brigade: Miami Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Accessed 9 March 2015.
  31. ↑ FIDF Youtube Honoring the Israeli Navy - Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Accessed 9 March 2015.
  32. ↑ FIDF Youtube Saluting the Women of the IDF. Accessed 9 March 2015.
  33. ↑ FIDF Youtube Heroes of Operation Protective Edge: Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Accessed 9 March 2015.
  34. ↑ FIDF Youtube Operation Protective Edge: A View from the Observation Tower. Accessed 9 March 2015.
  35. ↑ FIDF Youtube From Holocaust To Independence. Accessed 9 March 2015.
  36. ↑ FIDF Website IDF SOLDIERS PROTECT ISRAEL 24/7/365 Make Sure They Know We Have Their Backs — Now More Than Ever Before. Accessed 21 March 2015.
  37. ↑ Eagles\'Wings Ministries, 'Robert Stearns to Address Prestigious FIDF Gala', Christian Newswire, 31 March 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  38. ↑ Danielle Ziri, Yaakov Lappin, Sharon Udasin, Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post staff, 'News in Brief', Jerusalem Post, 19 August 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  39. ↑ 'Pro-Israel groups to help IDF soldiers in need', Jpost.com, 19 August 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  40. ↑ 'International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Launches Asian Affiliate in South Korea', PR Newswire, September 11 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  41. ↑ 'Oil Refineries Ltd: Oil Refineries Announces Results for Second Quarter 2012', PR Newswire Europe, 13 August 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  42. ↑ States News Service, '158 IDF COMBAT UNITS ADOPTED BY LEADING COMMERCIAL COMPANIES AS PART OF THE ADOPT A FIGHTER PROJECT LED BY THE AWIS, THE COMPANIES PROVIDE ANNUAL DONATIONS AS WELL AS SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT SOLDIERS', States News Service, 21 June 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  43. ↑ Gil Hoffman and Yoni Dayan, 'Israel should not be issue in US election. Former Kadima head criticizes Netanyahu, Romney', Jerusalem Post, 9 August 2012, accessed 28 September 2012.
  44. ↑ States News Service, 'FIDF DELEGATION VISITS IAF AIRBASE IAF CHIEF TO FIDF MEMBERS: WE KNOW WE WILL NOT STAND ALONE', States News Service, 24 April 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  45. ↑ Gil Hoffman, 'SLA refugee children still await educational framework', Jerusalem Post, 10 July 2000, accessed 29 September 2014.
  46. ↑ Erik Larsen, 'Parents in N.J. Pray for Israeli Soldier Son', Gannett News Service, 3 August 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  47. ↑ Andrea Peyser, 'Stars of David Win', The New York Post, 4 August 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  48. ↑ Ben Hartman, Jerusalem Post staff, Khaled Abu Toameh, 'News in brief', Jerusalem Post, 17 November 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  49. ↑ Marianne Garvey, Brian Niemietz, Lachlan Cartwright, and Molly Friedman, 'Babs voice still rich? Bank on it', Daily News (New York), 12 November 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  50. ↑ FIDF Website Israel Awareness Day @ Hebrew Academy. Accessed 4 March 2015.
  51. ↑ Staff, 'Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Launches Emergency Campaign to Raise Awareness and Funds for Wellbeing Needs of Israel's Soldiers; FIDF Asks Jewish Community to Show Support and Love for Israel's Brave Soldiers', fidf.org, 5 January 2009, accessed 4 March 2015.
  52. ↑ FIDF Website Western Region - Los Angeles Chapter. Accessed 6 March 2015.
  53. ↑ FIDF Website IDF Soldiers Say “Thanks!!!”. Accessed 6 March 2015.
  54. ↑ Sharon Udasin, Lidar Grave-Lazi, Lahav Harkov, Judy Seigel, and Ben Hartman, 'News in Brief', Jerusalem Post, 7 August 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  55. ↑ Michael C. Duke, 'FIDF aids Israel’s front-line defenders', Jewish Herald-Voice,21 August 2014, accessed 7 March 2015
  56. ↑ FIDF Website What We're Doing for Israel's Soldiers: By FIDF National Chairman. Accessed 7 March 2015.
  57. ↑ Jacob Goldtsein, 'Comedians bring laughs to the front lines', Jerusalem Post, 3 August 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  58. ↑ 'Comedians bring laughs to the front lines', Jpost.com, 2 August 2014, accessed 27 August 2014.
  59. ↑ Debra Nussbaum Cohen, 'Friends of IDF annual gala raises $24 million', Haaretz, 13 March 2015, accessed 14 March 2015.
  60. ↑ Randall P. Lieberman, 'FIDF Solidarity Gala raises $2.5 million', Sun Sentinel, 20 January 2015, accessed 20 February 2015.
  61. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF News. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 JP Updates Website With Saban at Helm, Beverly Hills FIDF Dinner Raises Multi-Millions. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  63. ↑ FIDF Website 2014 Gala Dinner. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  64. ↑ FIDF Website 2014 Ohio Chapter Annual Dinner. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  65. ↑ FIDF Website 2014 Friends of the IDF Casino Night Raises more than $100,000 For IDF Soldiers. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  66. ↑ Maya Shwayder, 'FIDF raises $20 million at New York gala', Jerusalem Post, 13 March 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  67. ↑ Maya Shwayder, 'FIDF raises $20 million at New York gala', Jerusalem Post, 13 March 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  68. ↑ FIDF Website A Hole in One at FIDF NY Real Estate Division's 3rd Annual Golf Outing. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  69. ↑ FIDF Website $230,000 Raised for Israel’s Soldiers at Annual FIDF NY Real Estate Division Gala. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  70. ↑ FIDF Website Over $500,000 raised at the 12th Annual FIDF YL-NY Gala - A Success for Israel's Soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  71. ↑ FIDF Website More than 850 FIDF Supporters from Across Michigan Raise $1m to support Israeli soldiers. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  72. ↑ 'She Said Yes', Jerusalem Post, 2 March 2014, accessed 27 September 2014.
  73. ↑ FIDF Website 3rd Annual Saving Lives Gala. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  74. ↑ FIDF Website $1.4 million raised at the FIDF Long Island Chapter's 9th Annual IDF Appreciation Evening in support of Israel's soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  75. ↑ FIDF Website Long Island Barbeques in Support of Israel’s Soldiers. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  76. ↑ FIDF Website $600,000 raised at NJ’s 10th Annual IDF Tribute Dinner. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  77. ↑ FIDF Website In Wake of Gaza Operation, FIDF Supporters from Chicago Honor and Support IDF Soldiers.
  78. ↑ FIDF Website $65,000 Raised at the Friends of the IDF Chicago Women's Brigade Annual Benefit.
  79. ↑ FIDF Website $212,000 Raised at Friends of the IDF (FIDF) Palm Springs Benefit for Israel's Soldiers.
  80. ↑ FIDF Website Friends of the IDF Raises Over $110,000 at "Guys Night Out". Accessed 24 February 2015.
  81. ↑ FIDF Website San Francisco Gala Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  82. ↑ FIDF Website San Francisco Gala Dinner. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  83. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF GREATER MIAMI CHAPTER 2014 SOLIDARITY GALA. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  84. ↑ FIDF Website New England 2014 Annual Dinner . Accessed 25 February 2015.
  85. ↑ Maya Shwayder, 'FIDF raises funds at annual golf event', Jerusalem Post, 12 September 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  86. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF Raises 27 Million at 2013 National NY Gala Dinner!. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  87. ↑ FIDF Website Over $20 million raised at Saban-Chaired FIDF Gala Saluting IDF Soldiers in Los Angeles. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  88. ↑ FIDF Website The 2nd Annual Saving Lives Gala. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  89. ↑ FIDF Website Thanks to the generosity of the San Diego community and Friends of the IDF, over $500,000 was raised in support of the numerous programs of the FIDF. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  90. ↑ FIDF Website $1 million raised at the FIDF Long Island Chapter's 8th Annual IDF Appreciation Evening in support of Israel's soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  91. ↑ FIDF Website $1.1 million raised at the FIDF New Jersey Chapter’s 9th Annual IDF Tribute Dinner. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  92. ↑ FIDF Website Real Estate Professionals Raise $270,000 for IDF Soldiers at the 2nd Annual Golf Outing!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  93. ↑ FIDF Website Gala San Francisco Gala Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  94. ↑ FIDF Website Gala San Francisco Gala Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  95. ↑ FIDF Website Michigan Chapter hosted its 17th Annual Gala. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  96. ↑ Ed Wittenberg, 'Yom Kippur War memories recalled at FIDF gala', Cleveland Jewish News, 23 October 2013, accessed 24 February 2015
  97. ↑ FIDF Website Friends of the IDF “Guys Night Out” Brings Together 300 Supporters to Raise $100,000 For IDF Soldiers. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  98. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF GREATER MIAMI CHAPTER 2013 SOLIDARITY GALA. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  99. ↑ FIDF Website Friends of the IDF Palm Beach/Broward Region 2013 Solidarity Gala generated over $1.4 million. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  100. ↑ FIDF Website 2013 New England Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  101. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF Atlanta Chapter Gala Raises Over $200,000 to Support IDF Soldiers!. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  102. ↑ FIDF Website Friends of the IDF Washington, D.C. Chapter Raised Over $350,000 at its Annual Gala Honoring Israel’s Soldiers. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  103. ↑ FIDF Website 2013 Baltimore Gala. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  104. ↑ Michael C. Duke, 'Houstonians support soldiers at FIDF gala', Jewish Herald-Voice,17 March 2013, accessed 4 February 2015
  105. ↑ Jerusalem Post staff, Michal Toiba, 'Roger Waters: Israel is running an 'apartheid regime', Jerusalem Post, 24 March 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  106. ↑ Jerusalem Post staff, 'Friends of the IDF gala raises $14m. American Idol winner Ruben Studdard and Chaka Khan perform', Jerusalem Post, 9 December 2012, accessed 28 September 2014.
  107. ↑ San Diego FIDF Website FIDF News. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  108. ↑ FIDF Website Over $300,000 Raised at Friends of the IDF Washington Chapter Inaugural Founders’ Dinner. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  109. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF Western Region Chapter in Conjunction with the Los Angeles Russian Community Holds the First Annual Saving Lives Gala. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  110. ↑ FIDF Website Over $850,000 raised at Friends of the IDF Long Island Gala in support of Israel’s soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  111. ↑ FIDF Website Five Towns and Greater South Shore Inaugural Community Event raises over $300,000 in support of Israel’s soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  112. ↑ FIDF Website Over $1 million raised at FIDF NJ Chapter’s 8th Annual IDF Tribute Dinner. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  113. ↑ FIDF Website Over $250,000 raised at First Annual FIDF NY Real Estate Division Golf Outing. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  114. ↑ FIDF Website San Diego Gala Dinner 2012. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  115. ↑ FIDF Website San Francisco 2012 Gala Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  116. ↑ FIDF Website Israel’s Vice Prime Minister Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Moshe Ya’alon attends FIDF Annual Dinner in Chicago with IDF soldiers. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  117. ↑ FIDF Website I1.6 Million Raised at FIDF Central Region Event With Former Israel Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  118. ↑ FIDF Website Michigan Chapter hosted its 16th Annual Gala Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  119. ↑ FIDF Website Ohio Gala Dinner - 2012. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  120. ↑ FIDF Website Ohio Gala Dinner - 2012. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  121. ↑ FIDF Website 2012 Off To A Great Success - $1.3 million Raised at Annual Gala. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  122. ↑ FIDF Website Over $300,000 Raised at Friends of the IDF Washington Chapter Inaugural Founders’ Dinner. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  123. ↑ FIDF Website Midatlantic Fourth Annual Gala 2012. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  124. ↑ Maxine Dovere, '30th Annual FIDF Dinner Raises $23 Million', the algemeiner, 29 March 2011, accessed 20 February 2015
  125. ↑ FIDF Website Almost $23.5 Million Raised at National NY Gala Dinner!. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  126. ↑ FIDF Website Friends of the IDF Western Region Chapter Holds a Once In A Lifetime Gala to Benefit Israel's Soldiers. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  127. ↑ FIDF Website 2011 FIDF Michigan Gala Dinner – An evening of Spirit and Inspiration. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  128. ↑ Keri Guten Cohen, 'A Salute To Soldiers', Detroit Jewish News, 22 March 2012, accessed 4 February 2015
  129. ↑ FIDF Website 2011 Long Island raises more than $650,000 at local Gala. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  130. ↑ FIDF Website New Jersey Chapter Raises $600,000 for the Soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  131. ↑ FIDF Website NY Real Estate Division Raises $470,000 in Support of IDF Armor Battalion. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  132. ↑ FIDF Website Central Region Celebrates 30 Years at the 24th Annual Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  133. ↑ FIDF Website Central Region Summer Event with former Director of the Mossad, Meir Dagan. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  134. ↑ FIDF Website Ohio Gala Dinner - September 7, 2011. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  135. ↑ FIDF Website Solidarity Gala 2011. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  136. ↑ FIDF Website Palm Beach / Broward Chapter Annual Gala Dinner. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  137. ↑ FIDF Website Midatlantic Region’s 3rd Annual Gala Dinner . Accessed 26 February 2015.
  138. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF News. Accessed 19 February 2015.
  139. ↑ FIDF Website Western Region Gala Raises $8.8 Million To Benefit Israel's Soldiers. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  140. ↑ FIDF Website Nefesh bNefesh flight. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  141. ↑ FIDF Website The 2010 7th Annual Gala Dinner Raises $400,000 in support for our soldiers!. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  142. ↑ FIDF Website The Westchester/CT Chapter raised $2.5 Million in 2010. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  143. ↑ FIDF Website 5th Annual IDF Appreciation Evening. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  144. ↑ FIDF Website Long Island Teen committee raises over $10,000 for the soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  145. ↑ FIDF Website 2010 New Jersey Chapter 6th Annual IDF Tribute Dinner Raises Over $500,000 for IDF Lone Soldiers!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  146. ↑ FIDF Website 2010 5TH Annual Real Estate Reception Raises nearly half a million dollars!. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  147. ↑ 147.0 147.1 FIDF Website San Diego Chapter First Gala. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  148. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF Central Region Hosts 23rd Annual Dinner in Support of The Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  149. ↑ FIDF Website 2010 Summer Benefit for Israel’s Soldiers raises record dollars!. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  150. ↑ FIDF Website 2010 Ohio Annual Gala Dinner. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  151. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF Young Leadership Takes a Gamble and WINS Again at the 6th Annual Poker & Casino Night. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  152. ↑ FIDF Website 2010 Solidarity Gala. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  153. ↑ FIDF Website New England Stands Up For Israel And Her Soldiers!. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  154. ↑ FIDF Website Thank you ATLANTA for making the inaugural FIDF Gala Dinner IDentiFy 2010 a rousing success! . Accessed 25 February 2015.
  155. ↑ FIDF Website Western Region Gala Raises $5.2 Million to Benefit Soldiers. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  156. ↑ FIDF Website 2009 5th Annual Tribute Dinner Raised over $400,000 for our IDF Soldiers. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  157. ↑ FIDF Website 7th Annual FIDF Young Leadership Gala. Accessed 20 February 2015.
  158. ↑ FIDF Website 2009 5th Annual Tribute Dinner Raised over $400,000 for our IDF Soldiers. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  159. ↑ FIDF Website 7th Annual FIDF Young Leadership Gala. Accessed 23 February 2015.
  160. ↑ FIDF Website FIDF-Central Region Raises $2.2 Million to Aid Israel’s Soldiers. Accessed 24 February 2015.
  161. ↑ FIDF Website 2009 Young Leadership Poker & Casino Night Event. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  162. ↑ FIDF Website New England Region Annual Dinner. Accessed 25 February 2015.
  163. ↑ Friends of the Israel Defence Forces Financial Statements and Auditor's Report December 31 2012, accessed 17 September 2014
  164. ↑ 'IRS Rules Allow Charities To Say Little About Money Sent Overseas', The Forward, 12 April 2013, accessed 27 September 2014.
  165. ↑ Data compiled from filings of Form 990s 2002 - 2013. Data compiled initially by text search of 990 pdfs with the acronym FIDF or the phrase 'Friends of the Israel Defense Forces'. Further searches have been selectively carried out of additional 990s for foundations found to be significant contributors.
    Key: * = Donation attributed to the Friends of Israel Defense Fund. No tax returns are available for the latter organisation and as it shares the same address with the FIDF it would appear that the two organisations are the same.
    '-' = 990 not examined.
  166. ↑ Data compiled from filings of Form 990s 2002 - 2013.
  167. ↑ Data compiled from filings of Form 990s 2002 - 2013.
    Key: '-' = No data available;
    N/S = Donations made at dinners but amounts raised at individual dinners not specified.
  168. ↑ 'Our Board & Staff', Friends of the Israel Defence Forces Website, accessed 17 November 2014.
  169. ↑ FIDF Website MEDIA RELEASE on Stevie Wonder Victory. Accessed 6 March 2015.
  170. ↑ 'Return of Organisation Exempt from Income Tax', foundationcenter.org , accessed 17 November 2014.
  171. ↑ 'Return of Organisation Exempt from Income Tax', foundationcenter.org , accessed 11 December 2014.
  172. ↑ 'National Board Members', Friends of the Israel Defence Forces Website, accessed 17 September 2014
  173. ↑ 'Our Board', Friends of the Israel Defence Forces Website, accessed 17 September 2014
  174. ↑ Crain's Chicago Business, 'WHO's WHO: PART 1', Crain's Chicago Business, 7 September 1998, accessed 29 September 2014.
  175. ↑ FIDF Website, accessed 30 September 2014
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