FIDF :: Friends of the Israel Defense Forces

Making an IMPACT!

You can make a direct IMPACT! on the life of an Israeli soldier through the gift of an education. IMPACT! is a program of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces that grants full 4 year scholarships to Israeli soldiers who have completed their military service.

The IMPACT! Scholarship Program is truly unique. 100% of your contribution goes directly to the payment of the students' tuition at an accredited college, university or vocational school in Israel . Every scholarship sponsor is matched up with a student. The personal nature of the program enables the sponsors to directly see the "impact" of their donations on the soldiers' lives.

To be eligible for a scholarship, soldiers must have served in a combat unit and come from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background that would prevent them from pursuing a higher education. Any IDF soldier- male or female- can receive a scholarship if he or she meets these criteria.

The recipients are chosen by an international Grant Committee, composed of highly regarded representatives from the IDF, Israeli universities, along with Israeli and American business leaders. The main objective of the Grant Committee is to select the most deserving soldiers based both on service merit and on need.

Each IMPACT! scholarship recipient is required to complete 130 hours of community service per year during the full term of their scholarship. The combined efforts of the IMPACT! students are coordinated and directed towards particular problem areas within their communities.

These are Israel 's future leaders who, with your help, can realize their great potential. A contribution to the IMPACT! Scholarship Program resonates far beyond the individual students, to their communities, and to the future of the State of Israel.

Scholarships will provide $5,000 a year for 4 years to the recipient. This amount will cover their tuition, and may go toward other expenses, such as books or educational tools.

2,000 scholarships will be granted to IDF combat veterans in October 2008. There are over 500 IMPACT! graduates in Israel.

Scholarship donors will receive an initial letter and photo from their recipient(s), followed by at least one letter per semester, which will update their scholastic achievements. Many sponsors have begun personal relationships with their students. They correspond through letters, e-mails and phone calls. Some have had the opportunity to meet their students in person, either during a visit to Israel or by bringing them to the U.S. to visit.

All donations to this scholarship program are tax deductible. Donations to this fund will go only to the scholarship program. General administration expenses will not be charged to this program.

Members of the Grant Committee

Co-Chairmen

Isaac Zinger, CPA

Dr. Michael Kalisman

Grant Committee Members

Aguda LeMa'an HaChayal
Avigdor Kahalani
Brig. Gen. (Res.)
David Assia
Prof. Raphael Feinmesser

FIDF
Harry Gross
Gerald Mizel
Former Co-Chairman
Alon Kaufman

IDF
Gabi Ashkenazi
Lieutenant General
Eli Marom
Vice Admiral
Yoav Gallant
Major General
Avi Mizrachi
Major General
Elyezer Shkedy
Major General
Elazar Stern
Major General

Academia
Prof. Amos Shapira Dr. Liora Weinbach
Prof. Israel Zang
Former Co-Chairman

Business Community
Dan Halutz
Lieutenant General (Res.)
Alon Kaplan, Adv.
Shuki Kedar
Lieutenant Colonel (Res.)
Amos Malka
Major General (Res.)
Leon Recanati
Eri Steimatzky
Moshe Evry Sukenik
Major General (Res.)
Elisha Yanay

Orna Pesach
Executive Director

Make a donation to the IMPACT program