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.

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.

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.

'Stay at Home Gala Event'

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In March 2015 the organisation launched a 'Stay at Home Gala Event' to raise funds for the IDF. In an apparent dig at the elaborate gala fundraisers of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Director John Grossman commented that:

Many other organizations are throwing over the top, extravagant dinners... We wanted to show our supporters how far we go to keep our costs down to pass along as much as possible directly to the soldiers, so were hosting a stay at home dinner.

As part of the event the American Friends of Libi partnered with Jerusalem U to offer free online viewing on an IDF feature film, 'Beneath the Helmet', to donors. Remarking on the film John Grossman commented that:

Opponents of Israel paint a grim picture of Israel’s men and women in uniform. But beneath every helmet there is an untold story. It is this story that the film seeks to share and its our privilege to be sharing this important film with the supporters of the Israeli army.

Funding and Finances

Revenue of American Friends of Libi in $
	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/