Some 600 leaders from the Long Island community will gather on Thursday, September 29 for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Long Island Annual IDF Appreciation Evening to salute the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Speaking at the dinner will be active-duty IDF soldiers, including Sgt. Jessica, a lone soldier from Bolivia serving in the IDF’s Artillery Corps; Sgt. Mishel, a Christian Arab-Israeli paramedic who treats victims of the ongoing Syrian civil war; and FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipient Daniel, whose college education is sponsored by the Long Island community.

Also speaking will be Sivan Bar-Or, the widow of Maj. Tzafrir Bar-Or, z’l, who commanded a special-operations reconnaissance unit in the IDF’s elite Golani Brigade and was killed in battle during 2014’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.

The evening will celebrate diversity in the IDF, which acts as a melting pot for Israeli society and includes men and women of many ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. Ninety-two percent of jobs in the Israeli military are open to women, with some 1,500 women drafted to combat roles every year. The IDF boasts representation from all of Israel’s religions, including Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze, and foreign-born men and women from 80 countries around the world serve as “lone soldiers”–service members with no immediate family in Israel. Despite being exempt from mandatory service, those with mental or physical disabilities may volunteer to serve in the IDF as well.

“This event gives our community the chance to meet and celebrate the brave soldiers–Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze–who defend Israel and Jews around the world,” said FIDF National Board Member and Long Island Chairman Ronny Ben Josef. “It’s an amazing way for supporters to learn more about the tremendous impact FIDF’s programs have–and to truly connect with some of the people who benefit from those programs.”

Chairing the dinner will be Edeed Ben Josef. The dinner will also honor longtime supporters Rachel and Howard Hershenhorn, Freddi and Harvey Kadden, and Amy and Marc Puntus for their dedication to Israel’s troops. Presiding as the evening’s master of ceremonies will be Michelle Ahdoot.

Other distinguished guests in attendance will be FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF Tri-State Executive Director Galit Brichta; and Long Island Director Liron Kreitman.

The evening will take place at the Fresh Meadow Country Club, 255 Lakeville Rd. in Lake Success on Thursday, September 29, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Funds raised at this event will go toward FIDF wellbeing and educational programs for IDF soldiers. For more information or to support FIDF, please visit https://fidf.org/LIGala16.

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