A Record 350 Gather for Westchester FIDF Benefit Featuring Keynote by 'The Green Prince'

All photo credits: Michael Priest Photography.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – More than 350 leaders from the Westchester community gathered Saturday, Sept. 17, for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Westchester Annual Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester to salute the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The dinner gave FIDF supporters the chance to celebrate – and meet – Israel’s men and women in uniform, helping to deepen their connection to Israel’s defenders, and to learn about FIDF’s well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers.

Attending were active-duty IDF soldiers, including 1st Lt. Sivan, an Ethiopian Israeli who serves as an officer in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit; wounded 1st Lt. Nir, who, with help from the Westchester community, 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; Sgt. Alexander, a Lone Soldier originally from New Rochelle, N.Y., who serves in an IDF combat infantry unit; and Cpl. Margot, a Lone Soldier originally from Harrison, N.Y., who serves in a special operations canine unit.

Speaking was Sarit Gomez, the widow of Israeli Air Force Capt. Daniel Gomez Z’’L, a helicopter pilot who was killed just before the end of the Second Lebanon War. The IDF Musical Ensemble performed traditional and contemporary Israeli songs, and Gomez’s son, Aviya Daniel Gomez, joined them for a song memorializing his father.

The keynote address was delivered by Mosab Hassan Yousef, dubbed “The Green Prince,” by Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency. Yousef is the son of Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef and used his connection to the terrorist group to become Shin Bet’s most valuable intelligence resource, helping to prevent dozens of attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians. He fled the West Bank and moved to the U.S. in 2007.

“I am humbled to be among the real heroes tonight,” Yousef said. “In their war against the enemies of that which is right – the enemies of humanity – the IDF has to make tough choices. During the First Intifada, I saw Israeli soldiers rescue Palestinian victims from a collapsed building in Ramallah – and people thanked them by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at them on their way out of the city. The IDF’s mission is complex and very difficult.”

After reading Yousef’s autobiography, Hyla Ruby, who co-chaired Saturday’s dinner, wanted to share his story with the Westchester community. “It was truly inspiring to see how someone literally born into terrorism could change for the better – and, help save so many lives. The Jewish community needed to hear that there really is potential for peace.” Also co-chairing the dinner were Ruby’s husband Steve, Jonathan and Lynette Tulkoff, and Aram and Shari Rubinson.

Other distinguished guests in attendance included FIDF National Chairman Arthur Stark; FIDF National President Peter Weintraub and his wife, Ellen, of Scarsdale; FIDF National Board Member Marc Jason and his wife, Dana; FIDF National Board Member Wendy Moskowitz and her husband, Dan; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir and his wife, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gila Klifi-Amir; FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Chapter Director Anat Chavkin; and FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Chapter Development Associate Ali Picheny.

“This year’s incredible turnout reflects increasing awareness of FIDF in the Westchester community,” said Mrs. Ruby.

Photo #1: The Times of Israel's Middle East analyst, Avi Issacharoff, interviewing “The Green Prince,” Mosab Hassan Yousef, at the Sept. 17 FIDF Westchester Annual Dinner.
Photo #2: (From left) IDF 1st Lt. Nir; FIDF National President Peter Weintraub; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; Mosab Hassan Yousef, who was dubbed “The Green Prince” by Israel’s internal security agency; FIDF Westchester Dinner Co-Chairs Steven and Hyla Ruby; FIDF National Chairman Arthur Stark; FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Chapter Director Anat Chavkin; and IDF Sgt. Alexander, a Lone Soldier from New Rochelle, N.Y.
Photo #3: (From left) FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Chapter Development Associate Ali Picheny; FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Chapter Director Anat Chavkin; IDF Cpl. Margot, a Lone Soldier originally from Harrison, N.Y.; IDF Sgt. Alexander, a Lone Soldier from New Rochelle, N.Y.; IDF Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gila Klifi-Amir and her husband, FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF Westchester Dinner Co-Chair Hyla Ruby; IDF 1st Lt. Nir; FIDF National President Peter Weintraub; FIDF Westchester Dinner Co-Chair Steven Ruby; and FIDF National Chairman Arthur Stark and his wife, Sylvia; FIDF Westchester Dinner Committee Members Wendy and Dan Moskowitz; and IDF 1st Lt. Sivan.
Photo #4: (From left) IDF 1st Lt. Nir; FIDF Westchester Dinner Co-Chairs Shari and Aram Rubinson, and Hyla and Steven Ruby; FIDF National President Peter Weintraub; and IDF 1st Lt. Sivan.
Photo #5: Sarit Gomez, the widow of Israeli Air Force Capt. Daniel Gomez Z’’L, speaking at the Sept. 17 FIDF Westchester Annual Dinner.
Photo #6: Aviya Daniel Gomez (center), the son of fallen Israeli Air Force Capt. Daniel Gomez Z’’L, joined the IDF Musical Ensemble for a song of remembrance at the Sept. 17 FIDF Westchester Annual Dinner.

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.