Click here to see all the projects sponsored by New York Young Leadership of the FIDF Click the image to see more pictures from Casino Night. RAFFLE WINNERS! Click here to see Saturday night's raffle winners. The Young Leadership of the FIDF is proud to announce the upcoming FIFTH ANNUAL CASINO NIGHT GALA EVENT with special performance by MATISYAHU . An exciting night bringing together over 1,500 of New York’s most prestigious, young, rising professionals who will be wining and dining, playing, dancing and having an incredible and memorable experience. This evening aims at supporting Israel’s brave young soldiers who tirelessly protect the Jewish homeland. FIDF YOUNG LEADERSHIP MISSION TO ISRAEL The Young Leadership division of the Friends of the IDF returned from a meaningful and succesful mission to Israel. It was the fourth annual trip of the young professionals who gathered from all over the united states to go and support the soldiers of Israel. The group visited bases, joining soldiers both on their bases and in the field, and celebrating with them on “Tzahal Day”; an all day event, filled with live music, food, games and entertainment for combat soldiers, that was sponsored by the Young Leadership division. During this special “Tzahal Day”, Adam Tantleff, National Young Leadership President, informed the soldiers of the $1.2MM that were raised in mostly 2006 and up to date in 2007 by the Young Leadership Division. The mission was an impactful experience for the participants who raised solely on the trip over 90 thousand dollars for the brave soldiers of Israel. Most of them have been many times to Israel and said it was the most special and meaningful visit they ever had. The Young Leadership Division of the FIDF is a group of passionate young adults who have put it as their priority to help and support the IDF soldiers in Israel in any possible way. The division was established less then 5 years ago and up to date raised already over $2MM. The funds raised support a variety of programs for the brave men and women of the Israeli army, from mobile gyms and clubs to combat units and financial aid for needy soldiers throught the Dignity program, to university scholarships and capital projects, renovating and building facilites to ease the life of those who sacrifise their life for the safety of thei Israel people and the all Jewish world. ABOUT THE FIDF YOUNG LEADERSHIP In just three short years, the New York City Chapter of Young Leadership of the Friends of the IDF has risen from obscurity to the now leading Young Leadership organization in Manhattan , producing the future leaders of the Jewish community today. Young Leadership was launched when its founder, Mitch Silber , decided that he no longer wanted to sit back and passively watch as events unfolded in Israel . Mitch took it upon himself to organize a movie for a small group of friends dealing with the Yom Kippur War, and the rest as they say is history. Soon more and more people started to mobilize in support of the organization, and their efforts led to a number of fundraising events at various hot-spots in Manhattan where the organization and its mission were highlighted. The turning point for the organization though, came on November 11, 2003. Over 1,100 young people came out to support the 1 st Annual Young Leadership FIDF Gala, a casino night themed evening that raised in excess of $300,000. This evening solidified Young Leadership as a powerhouse organization in New York City , and set the stage for an exciting future. That evening ultimately served as a springboard for our incredibly successful mission to Israel in the summer of 2004. 40 young people took a journey to Israel that changed not only their lives, but the lives of all of the soldiers with whom they came in contact. The highlight of the trip was unquestionably the Tzahal Day in Ashkelon for over 8,000 combat soldiers, sponsored by Young Leadership, where all of today's top Israeli acts performed, and a check from Young Leadership was presented for almost $600,000. Building on the success of our mission and Gala, another Casino Night was held in November 2004. This evening not only redefined our organization, it re-set the bar for all organizations. Over 1,700 people attended our Gala and raised in excess of $400,000. A truly proud moment for our Young Leadership Board. 2005 has already opened with its share of momentous occasions. At almost 40 members, our Board is a broad representation of the entire Jewish community. The onset of the year saw us officially ratify our By-Laws, thereby establishing our permanence and legitimacy within the organization. In a sign of the caliber of leaders that Young Leadership is producing, our Board member Peter Reisman decided to pass on a lucrative career at the prestigious law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and join the IDF. We wish Peter the best of luck, and are sure that he will not be the last from our ranks to make a life for themselves in Israel. We encourage you to come and join us as we continue to grow and make inroads in providing for a safer State of Israel. Only by establishing a strong Young Leadership organization can we ensure the success of this organization's support of the future defenders of the State of Israel. Along the way you are guaranteed to have experiences, and meet people, who will change your life forever.

The FIDF Young Leadership Miami was formed over five years ago and founded by Oren Kattan. The goal was to create awareness and support among the young professionals of South Florida about the goals of the Friends of the IDF. Over the past five years, the Young Leadership Group has experienced unparalleled success in both the growth of its volunteer base and in the creation of its first Board of Directors in 2007. The Miami Young Leadership Group is best known for its annual Purim Bash and Poker & Casino Night. As a group, the Miami Young Leadership has raised over $1 million dollars for the FIDF over the past five years.

In 2007, Young Leadership had the honor to inaugurate its first Board of Directors. The all volunteer board includes
Exexcutive Board:
Daniel Karten - President
Michelle Steiger
Jaime Mittleman
Brad Meier
Board:
Oren Kattan -Immediate Past President
Anais Benoudiz
Jeffrey Berk
Tamara Cohen
Alice Edery
Claude Furman
Evan Glassman
Anette Karten
Cecilia Kastner
Perlie Korn
Lisa Pacin
Rachelli Peltz
Dayana Susterman
Rachel Wildstein

Dan Karten

Michelle Steiger

POKER AND CASINO NIGHT

The Annual Poker & Casino Night is held every year at the Trump Sonesta in Sunny Isles Beach. Supporters of all ages, from Palm Beach to the Miami Beach pack the house. After three years of exceptional growth and entertainment, the night is the ‘must attend’ charity event for young professionals in South Florida. Last fall, the 3rd Annual Poker & Casino Night raised over $200,000 and the upcoming 4th Annual Poker & Casino night is scheduled for September 6, 2008.

Lance Burstyn, sponsor of Krieger watches for the silent auction

Neomi and Michael Dezer of Trump Dezer Development and sponsors of the annual Poker & Casino night

Gil Dezer

Part of the Casino night involves a No-Limit Hold ‘Em tournament with 260 players. The winner receives a $10,000 entry into a WSOP event in Las Vegas. Prizes range from Krieger Watches, to stays at our host’s, the Dezer Family, hotels. The casino room is always packed with over 750 guests dancing to the latest music and trying their luck at Blackjack, Craps and Roulette. The silent auction offers the chance to bid on nearly $50,000 in donated goods.

PURIM BASH This year’s annual Purim Bash was held on Saturday evening March 29th at a beautiful local mansion situated on one of the premier beach front properties in South Florida. We have been blessed with the support of our local community in having venues that vie to outdo each other every year. In true Purim costume fashion, the party was an all out white masquerade theme, with party attendees wearing their best white party attire!

Oren Kattan thanking Joel and Edith Newman for their sponsorship of Purim Bash

Enjoying Purim Bash!

The crowd really got into the white masquerade theme!

HERE IS HOW MIAMI YOUNG LEADERSHIP HELPS OUR IDF SOLDIERS
Anette Karten	Thank you to our Casino & Poker Night volunteers	Lisa Pacin & Evan Glassman
The Miami Young Leadership Division, with the tremendous support of so many donors and volunteers, has been able to help so many soldiers in Israel. Here are the many different ways that the Young Leadership Group has helped make a difference in the lives of our combat heroes in Israel over this past year: Sponsored (7) IMPACT! Scholarships to help combat soldiers in need pursue a college education after they finish with their military service Dedicated the Patio in the new Reim Medical Center Dedicated the canteen in the new Maglan Center inaugurated last summer in Israel Donated $24,000 to the DIGNITY Program to help soldiers in financial distress Dedicated the porch in the new Givati Center that was also inaugurated last summer Purchased new furniture for the Dovev base Donated $28,000 to the LEGACY Program for widows and orphans of fallen soldiers Purchased (1) Mobile Club for the Armour Brigade – Battalion 82 Renovated and refurbished (2) Mobile Clubs for the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion Refurbished (1) Mobile Club for Squadron 200 of the Air Force To see pictures of all our exciting events, please go to www.coolpool.info/ffidf