Friends of the IDF Long Island Chapter to Honor Israel’s Soldiers
Cedarhurst, NY - May 12, 2014 - More than 500 prominent supporters of the Long Island Chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) from across the Five Towns and Greater South Shore area will gather for their Third Annual Community Event in Cedarhurst on May 28. Funds raised at the event, which will take place at the Sephardic Temple, will go toward FIDF wellbeing and educational programs for the brave men and women of the IDF.
Benjamin Brafman, a criminal defense attorney and founder of Brafman and Associates, will serve as master of ceremonies for the third year in a row. “FIDF is a terrific organization that provides for the needs of Israeli Army personnel. The IDF fights for Israel and for our Jewish family around the world – and so we must support the brave men and women who sacrifice for all of us,” said Brafman.
The event will pay a special tribute to IDF Lone Soldiers from the community, who have no immediate family living in Israel, as well as soldiers who will be traveling to Long Island from Israel to share their stories with FIDF supporters. The soldiers include Captain Tamar, a company commander in communications battalion 372 of the Central Command, and Major Benimin, commander of draftee training in a Givati training base.
The evening’s program will include a ceremony to recognize the achievements of the Five Towns and Greater South Shore community. One of the main achievements of the community is their adoption of the Givati Brigade through the FIDF Adopt-A-Brigade Program, which provides funds for various wellbeing and recreational needs for the benefit of all soldiers in the brigade, including soldiers in-need and Lone Soldiers. Some of the other achievements being recognized include $100,000 raised for the Lone Soldiers who have left their country of origin to make Aliyah and join the IDF, and $152,000 raised for the Spiritual Needs Program, which helps soldiers celebrate their heritage and Jewish traditions. All of the funds raised for the Spiritual Needs Program will be matched dollar for dollar.
For more information about the FIDF Adopt-A-Brigade Program, click here.
For more information about the FIDF Spiritual Needs Program, click here.
WHAT: FIDF 2014 Five Towns and Greater South Shore 3rd Annual Community Event
WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 7 pm
WHERE: The Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Blvd, Cedarhurst, NY
About Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF):
FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing and supporting educational, social, cultural, and recreational programs and facilities for the heroic men and women of the IDF. Today, FIDF has more than 120,000 loyal supporters, and 15 regional offices throughout the U.S. and Panama. FIDF proudly offers its support to the IDF soldiers and their families through a variety of unique and innovative programs. These opportunities reinforce the vital bond between the communities in the United States, the soldiers of the IDF, and the State of Israel. For more information, please visit: fidf.org.