Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Encyclopedia
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a government-independent American
charity that provides "social, educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities" for soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces
, as well as the surviving family members of those who have died. It is the American partner of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS), an organization founded by David Ben-Gurion
in 1942 to collect blankets for the Jewish Brigade
, and currently the largest charitable organization in Israel
.
, from Qiryat Shemona in the Golan Heights down to the far reaches of the Negev
near Eilat. Seventeen of these projects have been completed while others are in the planning or construction phase. In addition to these centers, FIDF supports mobile units that serve similar functions for troops unable to use a permanent one. In another program known as "Spirit", FIDF supports weekly R&R
for IDF soldiers at AWIS recreation facilities.
Beyond these centers, FIDF runs several financial support programs. "Impact" is a program that provides 4-year college, university, or vocational scholarships to combat soldiers coming from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. In its first 2 years of existence, 550 soldiers received scholarships. Another program called "Dignity" provides grants and vouchers to soldiers in financial need to pay bills or purchase food.
Between 14,000-20,000 IDF troops need hospital care each year for injuries sustained during their service. FIDF supports a "Wounded Soldiers Program", donating personal amenities as well as facilitating contact with family members.
While helping current and former soldiers, FIDF also operates summer camps in Israel and the United States for the surviving orphans and widows of IDF personnel killed in the line of duty.
Members of FIDF can participate in an "FIDF Solidarity Mission" -- a group trip to Israel where participants interact with IDF personnel and visit Israeli attractions and places of interest. Some of these missions are geared toward "young leadership" members. Donors of $10,000 can sign up to participate in a one-week boot camp mission which includes army training as well as touring.
Tri-State, Western Region, Chicago
, Miami, Boston
, Boca Raton, Florida
, Michigan
, Ohio
, Atlanta, and Seattle. Under each of these offices are individual chapters. FIDFC, or Friends of the IDF on Campus http://www.gwu.edu/~fidfc/, is a group of FIDF at George Washington University
. The current National President of the FIDF is Arthur Stark, who is also the President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond
.
, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz
, and Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon
. Current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
also spoke to the New York gala by video.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
charity that provides "social, educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities" for soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
, as well as the surviving family members of those who have died. It is the American partner of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS), an organization founded by David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion
' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
in 1942 to collect blankets for the Jewish Brigade
Jewish Brigade
The Jewish Infantry Brigade Group was a military formation of the British Army that served in Europe during the Second World War. The brigade was formed in late 1944, and its personnel fought the Germans in Italy...
, and currently the largest charitable organization in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Programs
FIDF maintains and constructs sports, cultural, recreational, and other such facilities across IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, from Qiryat Shemona in the Golan Heights down to the far reaches of the Negev
Negev
The Negev is a desert and semidesert region of southern Israel. The Arabs, including the native Bedouin population of the region, refer to the desert as al-Naqab. The origin of the word Neghebh is from the Hebrew root denoting 'dry'...
near Eilat. Seventeen of these projects have been completed while others are in the planning or construction phase. In addition to these centers, FIDF supports mobile units that serve similar functions for troops unable to use a permanent one. In another program known as "Spirit", FIDF supports weekly R&R
R&R
R&R may refer to:* R&R , a music trade magazine* R&R , acronym for Rest and Recuperation* "R&R" , an episode of the science fiction TV show*R&R , a fictional nightclub in EastEnders...
for IDF soldiers at AWIS recreation facilities.
Beyond these centers, FIDF runs several financial support programs. "Impact" is a program that provides 4-year college, university, or vocational scholarships to combat soldiers coming from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. In its first 2 years of existence, 550 soldiers received scholarships. Another program called "Dignity" provides grants and vouchers to soldiers in financial need to pay bills or purchase food.
Between 14,000-20,000 IDF troops need hospital care each year for injuries sustained during their service. FIDF supports a "Wounded Soldiers Program", donating personal amenities as well as facilitating contact with family members.
While helping current and former soldiers, FIDF also operates summer camps in Israel and the United States for the surviving orphans and widows of IDF personnel killed in the line of duty.
Members of FIDF can participate in an "FIDF Solidarity Mission" -- a group trip to Israel where participants interact with IDF personnel and visit Israeli attractions and places of interest. Some of these missions are geared toward "young leadership" members. Donors of $10,000 can sign up to participate in a one-week boot camp mission which includes army training as well as touring.
Organization
FIDF is organized into ten branches: New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Tri-State, Western Region, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Miami, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA, incorporated in May 1925. In the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,764; the 2006 population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 86,396. However, the majority of the people under the postal address of Boca Raton, about...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Atlanta, and Seattle. Under each of these offices are individual chapters. FIDFC, or Friends of the IDF on Campus http://www.gwu.edu/~fidfc/, is a group of FIDF at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. The current National President of the FIDF is Arthur Stark, who is also the President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. was formed in 1971 and today operates a chain of domestic merchandise retail stores across United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. They feature mostly medium-ranged, but also a limited selection of high quality, domestic merchandise: items for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen,...
.
Fundraising
FIDF collects tax-deductible donations through its website and by mail to its New York office. They also host annual gala dinners in certain region. Many high-level Israeli and American officials have spoken recently at the 2006 events, including New York Mayor Michael BloombergMichael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz
Dan Halutz
' is an Israeli Air Force Lt. General and former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and commander of the Israeli Air Force. Halutz was appointed as Chief of Staff on June 1, 2005. On January 17, 2007 he announced his resignation. He has a degree in economics. He was born to a Mizrahi...
, and Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon
Daniel Ayalon
Daniel "Danny" Ayalon is an Israeli politician who currently serves as Deputy Foreign Minister and as a member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu...
. Current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003....
also spoke to the New York gala by video.