(Lake Success, NY) $1 million raised at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Long Island Chapter’s 8th Annual IDF Appreciation Evening this past Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, NY. More than 450 FIDF supporters gathered to pay tribute to the men and women of the IDF and to honor local community leaders, Viggi and Danny Arbusman, owners of Jewels by Viggi.
Dinner Chairman Edeed Ben-Josef and FIDF National Director & CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon. Photo credit: Aron Michael.
Serving as the Master of Ceremonies was Lana Bakhash, who was honored at last year’s event for her service and dedication to Israel’s soldiers. Also participating in the event was Edeed Ben-Josef, Chairman of the Gala, and Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon, FIDF National Director and CEO. Guests were entertained by a special musical performance from DJ Billy Brown.
The event featured three Israel Defense Forces soldiers: Cpt. Uri, an Air Force officer, Maj. Tal, an Intelligence officer, and 2nd Lt. Noga, an educational officer in an airborne center.
“Tonight’s event was an inspiring show of support for the brave men and women who stand guard of the Jewish Homeland. Because of the community’s incredibly united and generous support, FIDF is able to provide for the brave and deserving soldiers of the IDF,” said FIDF supporter Lana Bakash.
Also attending the event were FIDF IMPACT! Scholarship recipients Barak Avraham, who served in an elite intelligence unit, and Eli Navo, a former IDF officer. The FIDF IMPACT! Program grants IDF veterans the opportunity to pursue higher education. “The scholarship made my dreams a reality and that day I made a decision that, as long as I am able, I will never turn down someone who needs my help. From the day I received the notification of my scholarship, I have tried to continue the circle of giving which has been initiated by the FIDF IMPACT! program,” said Eli Navo, former IMPACT! Scholarship recipient and IDF officer.
“When we support the FIDF we are not sending weapons to our soldiers. We are sending our hearts. We want to tell them that ‘we hear your sorrow, we feel your pain, and we support your dreams. You are not alone,’” said FIDF Long Island Chapter Dinner Honoree, Danny Arbusman.
Eli Navo, Morris Bakash, Ronny Ben-Josef, FIDF Long Island Chapter Chair & National Board Member, and Barak Avraham. Photo credit: Aron Michael.
Ronny Ben-Josef, FIDF Long Island Chapter Chair & National Board Member. Photo credit: Aron Michael.
Eli Navo, FIDF National Chairman Emeritus Arthur Stark, and 2nd Lt. Noga. Photo credit: Aron Michael.
Honorees Danny and Viggi Arbusman (center) with children; Adam and Talli Tantleff and Margot and Ron Arbusman. Photo credit: Aron Michael.
Honorees Danny and Viggi Arbusman. Photo credit: Aron Michael.
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: www.fidf.org.
