FIDF Miami 2009 Solidarity Dinner
The FIDF Miami Chapter held its Solidarity Dinner on March 12, 2009 at the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. The Solidarity Dinner was a great success as over 850 members of our community were brought together under one roof as we saluted and honored 33 Legacy Soldiers.
The audience paid an emotional tribute to the Legacy Soldiers who despite having suffered the unspeakable loss of a loved one serving in the IDF still choose to serve their homeland as combat soldiers.
The Solidarity Dinner was co-chaired by Nieves and Isaac Olemberg and Judy and Sherwood M. (Woody) Weiser.
Recognized at the evening were our Miami board members who received the “PILLAR” award for their tireless devotion to our organization and to the IDF soldiers.
Dr. Ann Ballen Dr. Rachel Lapidot Aviva Oberlender Avi Samuels
The Solidarity Dinner succeeded in raising $2.5 million dollars for the Reim Base Medical Center located near the Gaza Strip in Israel. The Reim Medical Center, a project supported solely by the FIDF Miami Chapter, will house a complete staff of specialist physicians, maintain pharmacy supplies, a physiotherapy center, as well as dental and psychiatric clinics. The building will also command a 24-hour emergency center in order to deal with crisis situations in Gaza and in the entire southern region of Israel.
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Legacy Soldiers Visit to Miami ~ March 2009
The FIDF Miami Chapter had the honor of hosting 30 soldiers of the FIDF Legacy Program in March of 2009. Despite having suffered the unspeakable loss of a loved one serving in the IDF, these men and women still choose to serve their homeland as combat soldiers. While on the all-expense-paid trip to Miami, they received an extremely warm welcome from our community and had the chance to relax and recuperate while spending time at local synagogues, sight-seeing and being the guests of honor at FIDF celebratory events.
Highlights of Legacy soldiers’ visit included going to a Miami Heat basketball game, enjoying a boating and swimming trip, attending the 2009 Solidarity Dinner and the Young Leadership Division’s Purim Bash. The Legacy Soldiers were truly saluted for their dedication and became a part of the FIDF Miami Chapter’s family.
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Blurb about 2009 Purim Bash 3-25-09
2009 Purim Bash Photos
by Tomas Loewy:
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The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Young Leadership Division’s 7th Annual Purim Bash White Party was held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Miami’s eclectic Soho Studios. This year’s Purim Bash was the most successful yet! FIDF’s Young Leadership Division welcomed over 600 of South Florida’s young professionals who enjoyed the sleek downtown setting, visual artist vendors, silent auction and a techno-violin performance by Olé Events.
The FIDF Miami Chapter also had the honor of hosting 30 soldiers of the FIDF Legacy Program who were the guests of honor at the Purim Bash. Despite having suffered the unspeakable loss of a loved one serving in the IDF, these men and women still chose to serve their homeland as combat soldiers. The Legacy Soldiers concluded their all-expense paid trip to Miami by dancing for hours and celebrating Purim among those who so appreciate their service. The Purim Bash raised over $20,000 which will be used to benefit such programs as Legacy and other programs and projects which Friends of the Israel Defense Forces provides to Israel’s courageous soldiers.
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Mitzvah Project Event ~ Funk! Fashion! Fundraising!
Bet Shira Congregation welcomed the Friends of the IDF for a Mitzvah Project event.
The creation of this event was due to Simone Weisberg, daughter of Miami Board Member Stella Weisberg and a freshman at Palmetto Senior High School. After the tragic passing of her cousin, Tsachi Krapes z”l, in the 2nd Lebanon War she became energized and augmented her activism within the Jewish Community. The Weisberg family created a memorial fund in his name with the FIDF and has raised money to support FIDF’s programs. This event raised awareness of the soldiers’ contributions while paying tribute to Tsachi and raising additional funds to help those currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces.
The Weisberg Family aims to continue to raise more funds to support the courageous soldier of the IDF in their cousin’s honor and memory.
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Yom L’Chayal 2008 ~ A Day to Salute Our Soldiers
IDF Musical Ensemble
More than 700 people participated in our Yom L’Chayal event. This year’s IDF Musical Ensemble was a group of active duty Air Force soldiers, who performed enthusiastic renditions of Israeli, traditional and popular songs. In addition to the festive performance, special addresses were given by an IDF combat unit officer, as well as Ofer Bavly, the Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico and Rabbi Jonathan Berkun of Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center.
As in every year during Yom L’Chayal we honored our Mitzvah kids for their efforts and dedication to the IDF. This year we gave recognition to Andrea Levy, Mauricio Paisach and Harry Papu for raising over $8000 for FIDF by selling and delivering flowers during Rosh HaShana for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah Projects.
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