(Press Release)
PEPPER PIKE, Ohio, Oct. 16 – Some 500 community leaders gathered on Sunday for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Ohio Chapter Annual Dinner, marking the close of a yearlong campaign raising $1.7 million to support well-being and education programs for the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The evening, which has become one of the Ohio Jewish community’s largest events, featured a keynote speech by journalist, author, and expert on global Islamic terrorism Brigitte Gabriel, who discussed the new wave of terror striking Israel.
A Maronite Christian, Gabriel was born in Lebanon and survived the Lebanese Civil War thanks to the IDF’s incursion into Southern Lebanon in 1978.
“The IDF is a beacon of light in a very dark corner of the world,” said Gabriel. “The armies of America and Israel are the only ones in the world that have such compassion and respect for humanity. I was deeply honored to be a part of this special evening and hope to encourage support for the FIDF’s mission of caring for the well-being of Israel’s brave defenders.”
Co-chairing the event were Ida Haber, Becky and David Heller, Regina and Gregg Eisenberg, Sara Hurand, Elie Weiss, and Joey and Lindsay Shottenstein.
“Sunday’s dinner marked the closing of Ohio’s record-breaking yearlong campaign to raise funds for the well-being and education of Israeli soldiers,” said FIDF Ohio Executive Director Lane Schlessel. “We operate on the belief that it is their job to protect Israel and our job to look after them.”
Other distinguished guests included former and active-duty IDF soldiers; Orna Luft, the widow of Tzvika, an IDF soldier who fell during the Second Lebanon War; FIDF Ohio Chairman Irwin Haber; and FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir.
The event also featured a special performance of popular and traditional Israeli songs by the IDF Musical Ensemble. All funds raised during the evening will go toward FIDF well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers.
Attached please find photos from Sunday night’s dinner. Photo Credit: Jonathan Koslen.
Photo #1: (L to R) FIDF Ohio Annual Dinner Co-Chair Ida Haber; expert on global Islamic terrorism Brigitte Gabriel; and FIDF Ohio Chairman Irwin Haber.
Photo #2: FIDF Ohio Annual Dinner Co-Chair Ida Haber with expert on global Islamic terrorism Brigitte Gabriel.
Photo #3: (L to R) Congresswoman Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio; FIDF Ohio Annual Dinner Co-Chair David Heller; Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio; and FIDF Ohio Board Member Alice Rikkle.
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 150,000 loyal supporters, and 15 regional offices throughout the U.S. and Panama. FIDF proudly offers its support to IDF soldiers, families of fallen soldiers, and wounded veterans 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: www.fidf.org.
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