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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