Friends of the IDF Raises Over $150,000 to Benefit Israeli Soldiers at Chicago Bourbon & BBQ Event

Photo Credits: Romy Modlin Photography.

CHICAGO – Some 300 gentlemen from Chicago’s Jewish community gathered Thursday night at The Montgomery Club to enjoy bourbon and barbeque, raising more than $150,000 to support well-being and educational programs for Israel’s brave soldiers.

The annual Bourbon & BBQ event, hosted by the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Central Region, brought together friends and supporters of the organization for an upscale evening in the heart of Chicago’s downtown. Attendees enjoyed a premium bourbon tasting, award-winning barbeque, a sampling of fine cigars, and a raffle with luxury prizes – including a luxury Swiss watch, a bottle of rare bourbon, and autographed sports memorabilia.

“This year we brought together a stellar group of people to join in supporting Israel’s brave soldiers while enjoying bourbon, cigars and barbeque,” said event co-chair Tom Kane, president of the FIDF Central Region. “While everyone had an exceptionally fun evening, our purpose was serious: to raise much-needed funds for programs supporting the well-being of Israeli soldiers and their families – and I’m proud to say the evening was a complete success.”

FIDF’s “Bourbon & BBQ” night has become one of the Chicago Jewish community’s premier social events and has raised more than $500,000 since its inception four years ago.

Photo #1: (From left) Model Becky; FIDF Central Region Chairman Daniel J. Hyman; model Erin; FIDF Chicago Bourbon & BBQ Chair David Heller; model Yoshi; FIDF Chicago Bourbon & BBQ Chair Louis Paster; model Hannah; and FIDF Central Region President and Chicago Bourbon & BBQ Chair Tom Kane.

Photo #2: (From left) FIDF supporter Ira Holtzman; FIDF Central Region Board Member David Israel; FIDF Central Region Chairman Daniel J. Hyman; and FIDF Central Region Board Member Richard Sheiner.

Photo #3: (From left) Model Yoshi; FIDF supporters Jimmy Sarnoff and Ben Cohen; and model Hannah.

Photo #4: (From left) FIDF supporters Doug Sharfstein, Dr. Avi Bernstein, Dr. Brian Kaplan, and Sel Beyhack.

About Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF):

FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission of offering educational, cultural, recreational, and social programs and facilities that provide hope, purpose, and life-changing support for the soldiers who protect Israel and Jews worldwide. Today, FIDF has more than 150,000 loyal supporters, and 16 regional offices throughout the U.S. and Panama. FIDF proudly supports IDF soldiers, families of fallen soldiers, and wounded veterans through a variety of innovative programs that reinforce the vital bond between the communities in the United States, the soldiers of the IDF, and the State of Israel. For more information, please visit: www.fidf.org.