An evening to salute and support Israel Defense Forces (IDF) means giving support to the safety of the free world.
Last night USA Western Region Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) held its annual fundraising gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
Organized by Miri Nash, FIDF Western Region Executive Director, Chaired by the American television and media mogul Haim Saban and wife Cheryl, with the presence of a group of selected, most accomplished and charming men and women soldiers from all arms of the IDF, flown in for the occasion, with the participation of a group of members of the USA Arm Forces, as a symbol to USA and Israel standing together, and 1,200 enthusiast attendees, Jews and non-Jews, this grandiose annual event, is considered among the “best in town.”
In Hollywood style event, with Jason Alexander as master of ceremonies, David Forster at the piano accompanying several and news upcoming talents, and Chaka Khan sealing the evening, a remarkable amount of $14 Million dollars was raised for the cause. It goes to show that Stevie Wonder, who, at the very last moment, bailed out of appearing in the event, for some dubious excuses, is hanging with the wrong crowd.
FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors in order to help provide for the wellbeing of the men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as well as the families of fallen soldiers.
Headquartered in New York City, FIDF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that operates 14 regional offices in the United States and one office in Latin America. With a vision to unite the Jewish people to stand behind and make Israel stronger, the FIDF initiates and helps support educational, social, cultural, and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland.
What is there to say about the IDF that does more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare? (Col. Richard Kemp Testifies at U.N. on the IDF – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM0fTss0UX4)
I sat next to an officer from the Drone Unit, his grandfather ran away from Salonika, Greece, before Hitler gathered and murdered all the Jews living there; he gave me the message the IDF is bringing to the world: “we are ready to shake hands in peace with anyone. However, we have the right to defend ourselves and we will, with might.”
This young officer’s grandfather was sitting in the shelter in Tel Aviv while the grandson was protecting him on Israel’s border with Gaza during Operation Pillar of Cloud. And this sums up the entire concept of the nation state of the Jewish people, Israel: there are no more defenseless Jews who will be dragged out of their homes, by anti-Semites of all sort and Nazis and be harmed and murdered. With Israel, Jews can and will defend themselves.
With the most moving life stories, one of a young man who lost his arm in battle and after rehabilitation period, with great resolve, he reenlisted to his combat unit to finish his job defending Israel, and one of Miriam Peretz, a mother of six, who lost two of her sons in battles telling the world that she is only more encourage and stronger to know that with all her pain Jews have a homeland where they can defend themselves, the IDF keeps the collective promise of the Jewish Nation: Never Again!
One of the United States Marine Corps, who officially participated in the event, stated to me, one day soon, when the call to duty will be greater than politics, the armies of the United States and Israel will be fighting as brothers in arms, side-by-side.
Chanukah is upon us. The fight of the Macabbean is not yet over, and the IDF is the 21st century modern Macabbean.
The story of the Jewish nation is of darkness to light, faith and hope. On Chanukah we can see the FIDF as the Menorah of the IDF.
And since a man is measured by his true giving, here is a secret: after 15 years of flying F15 war plane, a pilot in the Israel Air Force (IAF) earns approximately $4,000 a month. That is a sacrifice. Is there a need to explain that the IDF is a worthwhile cause to anyone who understands that this military body contributes to the security of the entire world and the security of every Jew. I hope not!
A salute to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
