36 | SEPTEMBER 21 • 2023
More than 300 women gathered on
Aug. 2 for the Friends of the Israel
Defense Forces (FIDF) Michigan
Chapter “Women of Valor” Luncheon
at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield to raise funds for college schol-
arships for Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
veterans.
The event, co-chaired by Pam Bloom
and Elaine Robins, was held in support of
FIDF’s IMPACT! Scholarship Program,
which grants four-year academic scholar-
ships to IDF combat and combat-support
soldiers from disadvantaged socioeco-
nomic backgrounds. The program also
provides funds to cover soldiers’ living
expenses while they study and gives them
the unique benefit of direct contact with
their FIDF sponsors.
FIDF honored Susie Pappas for her
tireless commitment to FIDF and support
of IDF’s brave soldiers. Susie shared her
passion for the IMPACT! Scholarship
Program and how meeting two of her
scholarship recipients was the highlight of
her most recent trip to Israel.
A special moment occurred during the
program when former IDF Soldier Tomer
Benhaim Beliti, an IMPACT! Scholarship
recipient, personally thanked Susie and
Norm Pappas for sponsoring her college
education. “Your support has changed my
life in immeasurable ways. You have not
only provided me with an education but
have allowed me to become the best ver-
sion of myself,” she said.
The women were captivated by guest
speaker Nancy Spielberg, an award-win-
ning producer and passionate advocate
for films on the Jewish experience. An
accomplished businesswoman and philan-
thropist, Spielberg shifted her focus to
producing films a decade ago and is the
founder of Jewish Story Partners, a film
fund for stories reflecting the diversity of
Jewish life and promoting dialogue and
understanding.
“Education is the cornerstone of Jewish
culture and tradition, which is why
FIDF’s IMPACT! Scholarship Program
is so meaningful,” said FIDF Michigan
Director Paula Lebowitz.
Since the program’s inception in 2002,
FIDF has funded more than 19,300 four-
year, financial need-based scholarships to
Israeli combat and combat-support vet-
erans pursuing higher education at more
than 90 institutions in Israel. More than
4,100 students are receiving IMPACT
Scholarships this year.
For more information, call the Michigan FIDF Office at
(248) 926-4110.
FIDF Women Of Valor Luncheon
PHOTOS BY RON LIEBERMAN, LIEBERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY INC.
Tamir Oppenheim, Susie Pappas, Nancy Spielberg,
Paula Lebowitz, Tomer Benhaim Beliti
Paula Lebowitz, Pam Bloom, Susie Pappas, Tomer Benhaim Beliti,
Elaine Robins
Nat Ungar, Susie Pappas, Estie Ungar, Tehila Ungar, Meira Ungar,
Leslie Ungar, Aliza Ungar, Amy Pappas, Norm Pappas
Sandi Wolfe, Susie Sillman, Nancy Levy, Susie Pappas,
Nancy Spielberg, Beth Erman, Janice Steinhardt
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