Local Teens Raised Funds to Honor IDF Soldiers
At a time when the security of Israel is more critical than ever, young supporters of Friends of the IDF (FIDF), an organization dedicated to providing support for the well-being of the soldiers of the IDF, took steps to give back to the brave heroes who made the selfless decision to protect the Jewish Homeland.
On the anniversary of Israel’s Independence, more than 100 local teens and families rallied together for a “Yom Haatzmaut Walk-a-Thon” to benefit Israel’s Lone Soldiers-the 7,000-plus volunteers, many from foreign lands-who choose to serve in the IDF. Specifically, the funds will go towards flights home for these selfless young men and women who left the comforts of home for the greater good of the Jewish community.
FIDF is committed to making sure that the thousands of lone soldiers who do not have immediate family in Israel never feel alone, by providing warm homes, holiday packages, holiday food vouchers and flights back home. FIDF has committed to sponsoring six homes and the Long Island Chapter will cover the cost of one of the homes as well as at least 20 of the 1,000 flights home that FIDF will provide in 2022 for lone soldiers.
(Contributed photo)
“We are so proud of the BJC Chesed program participants, as every year they step up in many ways to support the IDF soldiers,” said Pninit Cole, Long Island Director. “We are so grateful to Orly Maslavi and other BJC congregants who are staunch supporters of FIDF, and it is an honor to provide their children with opportunities to create meaningful ways to support the IDF.”
The event began at the Babylonian Jewish Center in Great Neck and continued throughout the neighborhood, where walkers waved Israeli flags and sang songs in celebration. In attendance were Ronny Ben-Josef, Long Island Chairman, Orly Maslavi, Vice President of BJC and Youth Group Coordinator and Alya Shor, local lone soldier.
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.fidf.org/donate or email Zoey.Rosenfeld@fidf.org
About 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 offering educational, cultural, recreational, and social programs and facilities that provide hope, purpose, and life-changing support for the soldiers who protect Israel and Jews worldwide. Today, FIDF has 24 chapters throughout the United States. FIDF supports IDF soldiers, families of fallen soldiers, and wounded veterans through a variety of programs that reinforce the vital bond between the communities in the U.S. and the soldiers of the IDF. For more information, please visit: www.fidf.org
—Submitted by
Friends of the IDF
