Women's luncheon and FIDF membership
support Israeli soldiers' education.
Ariana Segal
Special to the Jewish News
M
ore than 200 women gathered
for lunch on Sept. 14 for the
eighth annual Friends of the
Israel Defense Forces women's luncheon to
benefit the IMPACT! Scholarship Program.
The event was held at Tam-O-Shanter
Country Club of West Bloomfield and fea-
tured a silent auction and raffle.
The IMPACT! Scholarship Program
awards the gift of higher education.
IMPACT! recipients are Israel's future
leaders who, with the help of the pro-
gram, can realize their greatest potential.
IMPACT! covers the cost of tuition at
an accredited institution and related
expenses for those who cannot afford
college costs. The power of the program
resonates far beyond the individual since
recipients are required to complete 130
hours of community service each year of
their scholarship.
"The FIDF is very relevant to Israel,"
said Lauren Bienenstock, an attendee and
one of the event's corporate sponsors and
table sponsors. "Through the IMPACT!
program, we can give soldiers scholarships
to ensure a stronger and well-educated
Israel:'
Special guest speaker, Capt. Ori Ron,
company commander of the 601 Battalion,
Combat Engineering Corps, spoke on his
fortitude to serve for his country despite
being injured twice during combat.
"The soldiers who risk their lives to pro-
tect the very existence of the Jewish nation
are well-deserving of the scholarship
funds raised by this event:' said Robyn
Lederman.
The luncheon, co-chaired by Karen
Ring Weiss and Nancy Pomish, generated
enough funds to sponsor two IMPACT!
scholarships. In 2011, Michigan members
of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
(FDIF) sponsored 157 scholarships to
former Israeli combat soldiers pursuing
higher education.
Arie and Karolyn Leibovitz have spon-
sored many students over their 15-year
involvement with the organization.
"IMPACT! is one of the early missions of
the chapter that touched me on a deeper
lever Arie said. "These scholarships are
an investment in both the future of the
individual, by impacting the quality of his
life, and in the future of Israel as a nation.
This was a no-brainer for me; I adopted
this particular goal and have sponsored
numerous students."
Shlomo and Rhonda Mandel became
active with the FIDF just over five years ago,
and, like the Leibovitzes, understand first-
hand the impact a scholarship can make
on both the recipient and the donor. The
Mandels received letters from their student
that were, as Shlomo described, "Heartfelt,
interesting and genuine, assuring that the
program was accomplishing its goals."
On a recent trip to Israel, the Mandels
met their scholarship recipient, a non-
Jewish immigrant from Russia. He proudly
showed off photographs of his family and
girlfriend. This young man came to Israel
alone, with only an uncle in the country.
"It is so nice to see a guy who is not Jewish
coming to Israel, joining one of the premier
combat units and who still feels so strongly
about the country. There was a difference
between reading about his life and meeting
him and learning about his life story."
For more information about the Friends
of the IDF and the IMPACT! program,
contact the Michigan FIDF office at (248)
926-4110 or michigan@fidf. org , or go to
www.fidf.org . I 1
Above: Nancy Pomish, women's event co-chair, Brenda Wayne of West Bloomfield,
IDF Capt. Ori Ron of Israel, Karen Weiss, event co-chair, Michele Borovoy of West
Bloomfield and Tamir Oppenheim, FIDF Michigan executive director.
Arie and Karolyn Leibovitz of West Bloomfield flanked by their IMPACT! scholarship
students
Rhoda Katzman of Bingham Farms, Ann
Shlomo and Rhonda Mandel of
Baruch of Southfield, Linda Katzman of
Bingham Farms
scholarship student
Bloomfield Hills with their IMPACT!
Marla Rosman and Terri Friedman, both of West Bloomfield, Lauren Bienenstock of
Commerce Township and Lauren Bendix of West Bloomfield
12
October 2 2011