Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers
The Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers is an organisation established in 1942 by David Ben-Gurion. The organisation was initially devoted to the welfare of Jewish soldiers fighting for the Allies during WWII.[1]
The organisation provides the following description of its activities on its website:
- “The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) provide for the soldier's military needs. We provide soldiers with the loving care and support they need through a range of recreation, welfare and educational services and facilities designed to enhance their wellbeing in service.” [2]
Its activities include the awarding of scholarships to IDF soldiers in collaboration with the Blavatnik Family Scholarship Foundation[3] the maintenance of homes for lone soldiers (soldiers without families in Israel), provision of vacation homes, hospital services, recreational facilities [4] and the distristribution of Hanukkah gifts to soldiers. [5]
In conjunction with the IDIF AWIS also runs the Adopt a Fighter project which facilitates the adoption of combat units by Israeli companies:
- Aside from the monetary donation to the units, the adopting companies find various ways to aid the soldiers and strengthen the bonds between the companies and the troops. The bond finds expression through various joint events (recreational activities with the soldiers, sport activities, etc.), adoption of lone soldiers, aid to immigrant and lone soldiers, providing temporary work to soldiers whose families have experienced financial distress, and countless other initiatives launched by both the battalions and the companies.[6]
The organisation has also collaborated with the Canadian Zionist Cultural Association in providing religious ceremonies for lone soldiers.[7]
During Operation Protective Edge AWIS distributed NIS 16 million to IDF soldiers.[8]
In 2013 the Israeli Ministry of Defence announced plans to replace AWIS and the Libi Fund as the primary entities for the raising of charitable donations for the IDF.[9]
AWIS was one of a number of companies allegedly defrauded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the Rishontours Affair.[10]
People
The organisation is headed by the decorated Israeli army officer Brigadier-general (res.) Avigdor Kahalani.
Funding
The Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers receives some of its donations via supporting organisations in the UK (UK Friends of AWIS), Canada (The Association for the Soldiers of Israel), the United States and Panama (FIDF – Friends of the IDF), and Mexico. (The Mexican Association for Soldiers of the IDF).[11] The Association has also received funding from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.[11]
The Israeli airline EL AL has facilitated AWIS fundraising by placing donation envelopes in airline seat pockets. It has also screened an AWIS produced movie "The Sherutrom" during flights.[12]
Strategic Partners
AWIS lists the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews as its 'Key Strategic Partners'. [13]
Contact
- Address Circa 2015:
- 60 Weizmann Street
- Tel Aviv 62155
- Israel
- Website: http://www.awis.org.il
- Phone 972-(0)72-270-2199
- Fax 972-3-5464249
Notes
- ↑ Greer Fay Cashman, 'The 'Yekke' Connection, Jerusalem Post, 28 December 2012
- ↑ 'About Us', Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers website, accessed 12 September 2014
- ↑ Greer Ray Cashman, 'Thanks to those who protect us, we can celebrate Independence Day in years ahead', Jerusalem Post, 7 May 2014.
- ↑ Greer Ray Cashman, 'The 'Yekke' connection', Jerusalem Post, 28 December 2012.
- ↑ 'Chanukah Gift Vouchers for 10,000 IDF Soldiers', Marketwire, 27 December 2011.
- ↑ 'IDF combat units adopted by leading commercial companies as part of the adopt a fighter project led by the AWIS, State News Service, 21 June, 2012.
- ↑ Greer Fay Cashman, 'In his grandfather's footsteps', Jerusalem Post, 11 April, 2014.
- ↑ Lidar Grave-Lazi, 'News in Brief', Jerusalem Post, 7 August 2014
- ↑ 'MOD yet to reform fundraising for IDF', Tenders Info, 14 November 2013.
- ↑ Noam Sharvit, 'Israel Police recommends indicting Olmert', Globes [Online], 7 September 2008.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Greer Fay Cashman, 'Golani Tribute', Jerusalem Post, 8 August 2014
- ↑ Jessica Elgot, 'El Al's fundraising for IDF wellbeing day', Jewish Chronicle Online,15 December 2009, accessed 4 February 2015
- ↑ 'Key Strategic Partners', Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers website, accessed 5 March 2015
