Over 550 Maryland Leaders Gather for Friends of the IDF Benefit Supporting Israeli Soldiers

Photo Credit: Ross Lewin.

PIKESVILLE, Md. – More than 550 leaders from the Baltimore area gathered on Thursday, Sept. 22, for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Baltimore Annual Gala at Beth Tfiloh Congregation to salute the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Speaking at the gala was Anat Ariel, the bereaved mother of Israeli Air Force Capt. Tamar Ariel Z”L, who was the first Orthodox Israeli woman to navigate an F-16 fighter jet in combat, and was killed in a Nepal avalanche in 2014.

“Our family has gone through great suffering, including our youngest daughter, Naama,” said Ariel. “But thanks to FIDF, she has had time to heal among friends who understand and feel the same, through the FIDF LEGACY Program.”

Other notable speakers included IDF soldiers 1st Lt. (Res.) Sivan, an Ethiopian Israeli who serves as an officer in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit; wounded 1st Lt. Nir, who, with FIDF’s support, has made a successful recovery after his special operations task force was ambushed by Hamas, killing three of his friends and leaving him badly injured; and FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipient Staff Sgt. (Res.) Yehuda Abaramowitz, who surprised Dr. Judith Sherwood-Janoski, the FIDF supporter who contributed to his college education, at the gala. The FIDF IMPACT! Scholarship Program grants full college scholarships to Israeli combat veterans of modest means.

“The gala gave our community the chance to celebrate Israel’s brave soldiers,” said FIDF Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Ari Dallas. “It was an amazing opportunity for our supporters to learn about FIDF’s well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers and to forge real connections with the soldiers who benefit from these programs.”

Co-chairing the gala were Clara and Michael Klein and presiding as the evening’s master of ceremonies was FIDF Baltimore President Dr. Gary Applebaum.

Other distinguished guests included FIDF National Board Member and Mid-Atlantic Region Chairman Bill Fox; FIDF National Vice President Bobby Cohen, who founded FIDF’s Washington chapter; FIDF Baltimore Chairman Josh Mauer; FIDF Washington President Arnie Hiller; and FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir. Henry M. Rosenbaum is director of the FIDF Baltimore Chapter, under whose auspices the gala took place.

The evening started with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. The funds raised at this event are put toward FIDF well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers, including FIDF’s Adopt-A-Brigade Program; the FIDF LEGACY Program, which supports the widows, orphans, and other family members of fallen IDF soldiers through a variety of recreational activities and life-cycle celebrations; and the FIDF SPIRIT Program, which provides weeks of rest and recuperation – swimming, sports, great food, and nightly entertainment – for Israeli combat soldiers at state-of-the-art resorts in Ashkelon and Givat Olga.

The FIDF Mid-Atlantic region has adopted the soldiers of the Israeli Navy’s 3rd Flotilla and the Baltimore Chapter adopted the IDF Home Front Command’s Kedem Battalion, a search and rescue unit that conducts emergency operations in Israel and abroad. FIDF’s Adopt-A-Brigade Program supports soldiers in the adopted brigades by providing financial assistance to soldiers in-need, caring for Lone Soldiers with no immediate family in Israel, and funding rest and recuperation weeks for combat units.

Photo #1: IDF 1st Lt. (Res.) Sivan speaking at last Thursday's gala.

Photo #2: FIDF supporters Michael (left) and Leslie (right) with their daughter, Cpl. Rochelle (center), who serves as a Lone Soldier in the IDF.

Photo #3: (From right) Dr. Judith Sherwood-Janoski with the FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipient whom she sponsors, IDF Staff Sgt. (Res.) Yehuda Abaramowitz.

Photo #4: (From left) FIDF Baltimore President Dr. Gary Applebaum with wounded IDF 1st Lt. Nir.

Photo #5: An overview of last Thursday’s FIDF Baltimore Annual Gala.

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.