American Friends of Libi
American Friends of Libi is the American affiliate of the Libi Fund founded during the second intifada:
- The US chapter was established in Boston by small group of concerned people at the height of the second intifada. Their initial goal was supplying protective gear for the soldiers battling terrorism. Chapters and activists have spread throughout the country.[1]
Other friends of Libi groups exist in Canada, France, South Africa and Mexico. According to the American Friends of Libi the formation of two further Friends of Libi groups in the UK and Argentina is in process.[1]
Contents
Activities
Sponsoring Tours of IDF Soldiers
In March 2015, American Friends of Libi and Chabad co-sponsored an event held at the University if Miami. At the event IDF Captain Oron Kalmanzon spoke of his experiences on during Operation Protective Edge (Israel's 2014 assault on the Gaza strip). The event was part of a larger tour organised by American Friends of Libi which saw Kalanzon speak to audiences in Miami FL, Columbus OH, Livingston NJ, Fairfield CT, Boston MA and Washington DC. Director John Grossman was present at the Miami event and remarked that:
- It was incredible to hear what it was really like fighting in Gaza this summer... Hearing Captain Kalmanzon was nothing like what you heard on TV or read in the newspapers... Everywhere he went Captain Kalmanzon impressed people with his moving stories from the front lines. Even though the war has been over for six months, people had so many questions which shows just how connected and concerned American Jews, and non-Jews, are for the welfare of Israel’s soldiers... I’m happy we had the chance to educate more people about just how strong and moral the Israeli army is. With army officers like Captain Kalmanzon, we can rest easier at night knowing that the State of Israel is in kind and capable hands[2]
Funding and Finances
| Revenue of American Friends of Libi in $[3] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Total 2004-2013 | ||
| Total Revenue | 297,618 | 537,757 | 654,778 | 436,199 | 190,405 | 763,330 | 1,165,826 | 1,146,205 | 2,284,998 | 1,549,176 | 9,026,292 | |
People
Directors (Circa 2013)
Dr. John Grossman (Chairman) | Shimshon Erenfeld (Vice Chairman and Treasurer) | Paul Lipof (Director) | Yael Lipof (Director) | Bernice Heinstein (Director) | Betty Feldman (Director) | Robert Finkel (Director) | Nazy Nazarian (Director) | Sarah Biser (Director) | Howard Furmansky (Director) | David Golden (Director) | Rabbi Mendy Fellig
Staff (Circa 2015)
Dr. John Grossman (Chairman) | Shimshon Erenfeld (Vice Chairman) | David Golden | Paul Lipof
Affiliations
- The Libi Fund
Contact
- Address Circa 2013:
- 420 Harvard Street
- Brookline, MA
- 02446
- Phone: (617) 738 0500
- Website: http://friendsoflibi.org/
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 American Friends of Libi Website Our Partners. Accessed 19 March 2015.
- ↑ Danielle Reisman, 'IDF Tour of Duty: Six American Cities in Six Days', Breaking Israel News, 9 March 2015, accessed 29 May 2015.
- ↑ Data compiled from filings of Form 990s 2004 - 2013.
