Israel's Finest

U.S. dinner
honors soldiers.

T

he Friends of the Israel
Defense Forces (FIDF)
national dinner in New York
brought together 1,400 business and
philanthropic leaders to salute and
show support for the soldiers of Israel.
Among the contributions was a $4
million donation announced by
the International Fellowship of
Christians and Jews, founded by Rabbi
Yechiel Eckstein. Luxury fashion
designer Elie Tahari pledged $100,000;
$500,000 was pledged by the Iranian
American Jewish Federation of New
York. Contributing to the March 9
evening's success was a donation of
$750,000 by the Genesis Philanthropy
Group.
The gala was attended by
Chief of the IDF General Staff Lt.
Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the
audience with remarks from Jerusalem.
He expressed his gratitude and appre-
ciation for the great work of both
Israel's soldiers and their supporters in
the U.S.
Three IDF officers greeted the guests
via live satellite from the IDF navy ship
that participated in the seizure of the
freighter Francorp in November; the
ship was carrying a large shipment
of Iranian weapons destined for the
Hezbollah terrorist organization.
One of the most heartfelt speeches
was given by Guy Banai, who lost
his son, Staff Sgt. Liran Banai, when
Palestinian terrorists attacked his IDF
jeep on the Gaza Strip border. Liran
decided to serve in the Givati Brigade
combat unit even though, as the son
of deaf parents, he was exempt from
doing so. Liran not only helped his
family communicate, but also was
their sole source of income.
Among the representatives of the
U.S. military present at the event was a
Marine who recently returned from a
tour in Afghanistan. He was so
moved by the evening that he donated
$1,000 in memory of Sgt. Banai.
Funds raised at this dinner will pro-
vide much needed services, such as
financial support, to soldiers in need
and academic scholarships to former
combat soldiers, educational activities,
weeks of rest and recreation for entire
IDF units, as well as cultural, educa-
tional and sports facilities. —1

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April • 2010,

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