FIDF Chicago Gala Marks 50th Anniversary of Israel's Six-Day War by Reuniting Soldiers from Iconic Photo

Photos from the June 13 FIDF Central Region Annual Dinner, and the iconic David Rubinger photo.

CHICAGO – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Israel’s Six-Day War in Chicago, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) reunited the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers from the iconic photo taken by David Rubinger of three paratroopers at the Western Wall after they had won the battle for Jerusalem. The reunion was part of the FIDF Central Region Annual Dinner on Tuesday, June 13, when some 800 community leaders gathered, raising more than $2 million to support educational and well-being programs for IDF soldiers

Rubinger, who passed away in March, took “Paratroopers at the Western Wall,” which is considered the defining image of the Six-Day War. Israel fought against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria between June 5-10, 1967, gaining control over Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Sinai Desert and Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights.

The evening, which is one of the Chicago Jewish community’s largest events, at the Hilton Chicago featured keynote speaker Bret Stephens, columnist for The New York Times and former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post.

“Not only as Jews, but also as Americans, our security and our prosperity is intimately connected to what’s going on way out there in the Middle East – the front line in the boundary between civilization and barbarism,” said Stephens, who has interviewed scores of world leaders, including every Israeli prime minister since Shimon Peres took office. “Are we going to stand by or are we going to betray the only serious friend, the only consistent friend we have in the region – the State of Israel?”

Co-chairing the gala event were FIDF Central Region Board Member Adam Hoeflich and his wife, Denise, and FIDF National Board Treasurer Rob Selati and his wife, Jill. Mr. Hoeflich is a partner at Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar and Scott LLP and Mr. Selati is the managing director of Madison Dearborn Capital Partners.

All three paratroopers captured in Rubinger’s photo, Zion Karasenti, Haim Oshri, and Dr. Yitzhak Yifat, were in attendance.

“The photo that includes me as a young soldier, holding my helmet in front of the Western Wall, has become a part of history, and has come to define my life since that moment. I went from being an anonymous warrior to an unintentional symbol,” said Yifat. “By recreating that euphoric moment 50 years later, we underscored the endurance of our people, and the democratic Jewish homeland.”

Also attending were IDF soldiers Staff Sgt. (Res.) Lior, a former combat soldier whose college education is being sponsored by a local FIDF supporter through FIDF’s IMPACT! Scholarship Program, and wounded Sgt. Ohad Benyichai, an Israeli commando who suffered a severe head wound during the infamous 2014 battle in Gaza’s Shejaiya neighborhood. The IDF Rabbinical Choir, led by the IDF’s chief cantor, Lt. Col. Shai Abramson, performed at the dinner.

“The pivotal moment Rubinger captured in his famous photo transformed the landscape of Israel and the entire Middle East – and changed the lives of Jews worldwide,” said FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim. “We thought it would be very powerful for our supporters to see the three paratroopers from the historic photo reunited here in Chicago. Our commemoration stressed the importance of the Six-Day War and the sacrifices that IDF soldiers made – and continue to make every day – to ensure Israel’s survival.”

Other distinguished guests at the dinner included Consul General of Israel to the Midwestern United States Aviv Ezra; FIDF Central Region Chairman Daniel J. Hyman; FIDF Central Region President Thomas Kane; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; and FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim.

Supporters from Chicago’s business community were also in attendance, including Marathon Pharmaceuticals Chairman and CEO Jeff Aronin; Mike Balkin, a portfolio manager at William Blair and Company; GTCR Managing Director Craig Bondy; Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin; Benjamin Chereskin, president of Profile Capital Management; Steven Derringer, a partner at Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar and Scott LLP; Lance Donenberg, principal and head of strategic business development at Evanston Capital Management; Richard Levy, a partner at Latham and Watkins LLP; Mark Levine, a partner at Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar and Scott LLP; Ilan Shalit, founder and managing member of Consolidated Trading; Josh Scheinfeld, founder and managing member of Lincoln Park Capital; and David Zucker, managing partner of Lead Lap Enterprises.

The funds raised at this event will go toward FIDF well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers.

Photo #1: FIDF Central Region Board Member and dinner co-chair Adam Hoeflich (right) welcomed the three famous Israeli paratroopers (from left) Zion Karasenti, Dr. Yitzhak Yifat, and Haim Oshri onstage (Photo credit: Robert Kusel).

Photo #2: Bret Stephens speaking at the FIDF Central Region Annual Dinner (Photo credit: Robert Kusel).

Photo #3: (From left) FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF National Board Treasurer and dinner co-chair Rob Selati; Zion Karasenti; Dr. Yitzhak Yifat; Haim Oshri; FIDF Central Region Board Member and dinner co-chair Adam Hoeflich; and FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim (Photo credit: Jeff Ellis).

Photo #4: FIDF Central Region Annual Dinner Committee Members Mike Balkin and Mark Levine; Bret Stephens; FIDF National Board Treasurer and dinner co-chair Rob Selati; and FIDF Central Region Annual Dinner Committee Member Craig Bondy (Photo credit: Jeff Ellis).

Photo #5: An overview of the June 13 FIDF Central Region Annual Dinner at the Hilton Chicago (Photo credit: Robert Kusel).

Photo #6: Left: David Rubinger’s iconic photo showing Israeli paratroopers (from left: Zion Karasenti, Yitzhak Yifat, and Haim Oshri) standing in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem during the Six-Day War, June 7, 1967 (Photo credit: David Rubinger/GPO). Right: A recreation of David Rubinger’s famous photo 50 years later at the Western Wall in Jerusalem (Photo credit: AFP).