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CONTACT INFORMATION |
Upcoming Events |
FIDF Broward / Palm Beach
8177 West Glades Road, Ste 208
Boca Raton , FL 33434
Tel: (561) 483-2771
Fax: (561) 483-2772
E-Mail: boca@fidf.org |
November 2010: Mission to Israel for the new IMPACT scholarship awards and to celebrate the inauguration of the Beit Lid Recreation Center
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GALA DINNER RAISES MORE THAN
HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR SOLDIERS
More than 300 people recently attended the Palm Beach/Broward Region of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) annual gala dinner, helping raise $400,000 to benefit Israeli soldiers.
The event featured Israeli Consul General to Florida and Puerto Rico Ofer Bavly, inspiring stories from Israel Defense Forces soldiers and the Israel Defense Forces Musical Ensemble. Dena and Dr. Daniel Man were the event chairpersons.
“Our event was very successful, both as a fundraising event and creating awareness regarding Israeli soldiers and the sacrifices they make,” said Dr. Gail Rubin Kwal, co-president of the regional FIDF chapter. “During the event, a letter written by a soldier to his wife before he was killed by sniper fire was read aloud. The letter spoke of the soldier’s devotion to his wife, their future and his hopes for Israel’s future. The letter certainly stirred some emotions and helped our donors connect with the soldiers we support on a very personal level.”
The money raised from the gala will allow 25 soldiers who cannot afford a college education to receive a four-year scholarship when they complete their military service. Soldiers are required to volunteer 130 hours each year to maintain their college scholarships.
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to see video of the gala
Sam Moshe (Executive Board Member, Presenter for the Evening), Jeff Hollander (donor of 3 scholarships), Maj. Gen. Yitzhak Gershon (FIDF National Director), Edwin Kaplan (matching donor of 3 scholarships)
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE GALA
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Mobile Synagogue Dedication- by Mort & Judy Zemel
On August 13, 2009, the bus arrived at the army base at about 10:30 a.m. My sister, Margi Wulwick and her family who were in Israel for the Bar Mitzvah of her Grandson, Joshua Hayes were already at the base.
We were all (approximately 55 of us) ushered into an auditorium where an officer gave us a power point presentation on the goals and purposes of the military unit. We then started the procession of marching the Sefer Torah to its home in the mobile synagogue. I had arranged for Rabbi Yisroel Cohen, who is also a musician to be with us. He played his clarinet as we danced and sang with the chayalim escorting the Sefer Torah to its home in the mobile synagogue.
When we entered the synagogue, the Torah was placed in the Ark. The Torah was then removed from the Ark as we chanted the appropriate hymn and one of the soldiers who possesses a magnificent voice proceeded to chant the Kail Moleh Rachamim memorial prayers in memory of my late sister, Shirley Kaufman and in memory of Leonard Wulwick, the late husband of my sister, Margi Wulwick.
The speeches were short, to the point and very meaningful. I spoke, my sister, Margi Wulwick spoke and Rabbi Chanoch Yeres gave a meaningful Dvar Torah in both Hebrew and English. The base commander stated that due to the nature of the unit's mission, they frequently receive visits from officials from all over the world. He said that they placed the mobile synagogue prominently near the entrance of the base so that all who enter can see how important is for the chayalim to have a place to pray.
One of the chayalim with whom I spoke told me that the synagogue had been requested by the chayalim two years ago. They were told at that time that "it will never happen." Baruch Hashem, those who told the chayalim that it would never happen were wrong.
Immediately after the dedication there was a festive collation provided by the base which was enjoyed by the visitors and the chayalim.
Rabbi Yisroel Cohen, the musician, invited a few people of the group into the synagogue and proceeded to give a short class on Ethics of the Fathers, in order to inaugurate the synagogue as a place of learning.
Simultaneously, after the dedication, the guests were invited back to the auditorium where four of the chayalim discussed the unit's mission and answered general questions.
The dedication was beautiful and a fitting tribute in memory of my sister, Shirley Kaufman, of blessed memory.
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to donate to the Soldiers Spiritual Needs
CLICK HERE
for the Zemel dedication photo album
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FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
HONOR SOLDIERS SEEKING HIGHER EDUCATION
Palm Beach County, Florida September 11, 2008
Two Israeli Soldiers awarded educational scholarships from the Friends of the Israel Defense Force traveled from Israel to Palm Beach County this week to discuss the importance of educating Israeli Soldiers who successfully finished military service in the Israeli Army. This year the Friends of the IDF IMPACT scholarship program provided over 2300 scholarships to disadvantaged socio-economic soldiers wanting to get a post high school education.
“The soldiers are our insurance. If you believe in insurance, you have to invest in the soldiers because they are doing everything to protect us and it is our turn to protect them." Richard Kwal, co-president of the Boca Chapter of the FIDF said after the soldiers spoke in Boca Raton on Sunday.
The two visiting Israeli soldiers, Iila Turkot and Shani Nizre study law in separate Israeli universities. “The FIDF gave me the option to get an education and a brighter future. I hope that someday I will be able to give educational opportunities to others when I become a Israeli lawyer. “In Israel government financial aid for college is not available and if not for the FIDF, I would have been denied my true desire for education.” Ilia Turkot said. Ilia served as a combat soldier in the elite Golani Brigade and is now top in his law school class with expected graduation of May, 2009.
Shani Nizre is in her first year of law school. “The Impact scholarship is wonderful gift that has made my dreams come true.” she stated. “I never realized that so many Americans care about us so deeply while we are protecting Israel,” Nizre said. Both students have a bitter sweet return home to Israel today. They are looking forward to starting their school year in Israel, but wish they had a longer time to meet with their American supporters in South Florida.
For Additional information on the Friends of the Israel Defense Force or the Impact scholarship, please contact Michael Hadar, Executive Director, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (561) 483-2771 or Email Boca@israelsoldiers.org.
Our Projects
Ashdod Naval Base
 In November 2006 we dedicated the Recreational Facility at Ashdod, a multipurpose building that will consist of an Auditorium, inspirational Memorial room, Gymnasium, Synagogue, and Library/Computer Room. The cost of this facility is $1,200,000. The responsibility of the first floor of this building is Broward/Palm Beach Chapter of FIDF's. This cost will be $850,000 and the second floor will be for administrative offices of the Navy.
This facility is extremely important because there is no facility now for the soldiers to "chill out" after being on sea patrol for 72 straight hours. These seamen, sleep, eat, and patrol on these 35ft X 11ft patrol boats. The morale and spirit of these soldiers defending our homeland is as important as protecting the land itself.
There are still naming opportunities in our Mezuzah Campaign. $1,800 will completely furnish a room in the facility including the Mezuzah and will bring honor to the person you name. Your generous donation will bring blessing to the room.
Givati Brigade Training Base
The Recreational and Educational Center in Ketziot was dedicated in November. It includes a Computer Room, Music and TV Room, and Auditorium. The cost of this facility was $1,000,000.
This Recreational and Educational Center is extremely important. The Givati is one of the elite brigades in the Israeli Army. The tironim (soldiers during basic training) live in tents at the base. The new facility will give the soldiers a place to unwind, relax and recharge their minds and bodies following the intense training and harsh living conditions they endure.
To learn more about these projects, please contact Michael Hadar , Executive Director of the Broward/Palm Beach Chapter of The Friends of the IDF at (561) 483-2771 or email him at boca@israelsoldiers.org .
The Taubman Family Foundation Wellbeing & Sports Center at Beit Lid Base
This project, on the Beit Lid Base for Paratroopers and Special Units initiated by the Taubman Family Foundation, will be completed in December 2008.
The Paratroopers Brigade and commando units have their headquarters on Bet Lid base. It is from here that the elite forces ready for and set out on their missions, and to where they return upon completing their missions. The base is located in the center of Israel, east of the town of Netanya. The paratroopers returning from their life-threatening tasks do not have a wellbeing & sports center. The proposed project would significantly contribute to the paratroopers’ wellbeing on the base.
The cornerstone laying ceremony was held on Thursday, October 18th attended by our local supporters during the October Mission. The project estimate is $510,000. Dedication opportunities still available.
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Remember the soldiers when you celebrate and when you mourn.
Tribute cards available
Many schools have made us a part of their regular chesed projects.
Don't forget to include the soldiers in your school event programming.
Call us for more information.
Board of Directors |
Richard & Dr. Gail Kwal
Co-Presidents
National Board Member
Board of Directors
Dr. Michael Kalisman
National Board Member
Gerald Mizel
National Board Member
Henry Galel
Glen Golish
Dr. Warren Grossman
Dr. Steven Katz
Sam Moshe
Dr. Robert Rothfield
Tom Segal
Robert Weinroth
Elissa Vessal
Peter Levine
Michael Hadar
Executive Director
Betsy Horowitz
Office Manager
Raphael Elkayam
Past President
Dr. Oscar “Riley” Hausdorff
Past President
*Of Blessed Memory*
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