Reporting by Leah
The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) held its sold out National New York Gala Dinner on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at New York City’s famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel. This not-to-be-missed Gala, FIDF’s largest single fundraising event, brought together close to 1,500 prominent business and philanthropic leaders from across the country to stand in solidarity and support the soldiers of Israel. This year marked FIDF’s 30th anniversary, a remarkable milestone that is a testament to the incredible generosity and commitment of its supporters and over 23 million dollars was raised at the Gala Dinner. This special evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 5:30pm followed by the dinner and program at 7:00pm.
Special guests included Israel’s Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. (Res.) Ehud Barak, five former IDF Chiefs of the IDF General Staff including Lt. Gen. (Res.) Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, Shaul Mofaz, Moshe Ya’Alon, Dan Halutz and Gabi Ashkenazi, high-ranking officials from the IDF’s past and present, notable dignitaries from Israel and Washington, 30 IDF soldiers and officers, performances by the exceptional IDF Orchestra, exclusive live-satellite with distinguished figures in Israel and honored guest speakers.
As in previous years the Gala was chaired by Mr. Benny Shabtai, president of Di Modolo. Author and nationally-syndicated radio host Monica Crowley served as the evening’s Master of Ceremony. Official representatives of the State of Israel also included Consul General of Israel in New York Ido Aharoni, Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York Shlomi Kofman, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Ambassador Meron Reuben and Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Ambassador Haim Waxman. Community leaders included Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, President and Founder of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) and Pastor C. Hagee, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church and Founder of John Hagee Ministries and Christians United for Israel (CUFI).
TV personality and announcer Alan Kalter began the dinner program followed by Master of Ceremonies Dr. Monica Crowley. The star-spangled banner was song by Captain Christina Mouradijan, Commander 152nd Military Police, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton and escorted by the Color Guard United States Marine Corps. A beautiful rendition of the HaTikva was then song and accompanied by the IDF Orchestra. A Q & A with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via satellite followed. The Keynote Speaker was Lt. Gen. (Res.) Ehud Barak.
Many moving stories and speakers addressed the packed ballroom especially Miriam Peretz who delivered A Mother’s Story and spoke of loss and hope and commitment to the State of Israel and who lost two sons. A memorial for Israel’s fallen soldiers followed accompanied by the IDF Orchestra.
The Dinner Chairman Benny Shabtai gave a response followed by many generous donors who stood and addressed the ballroom while making pledges to the FIDF in honor or in memory of family members, friends, Israel soldiers and/or honorees at the dinner.Notable among the donations was an $8.5 million pledge from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of International Fellowship of Christians and Jews; $500,000 from the Iranian American Jewish Federation; $1 million from Mr. Elias Kalimian, one of the prominent leaders of the Iranian-Jewish community in Great Neck, New York; a $500,000 pledge from Gadi Cohen, the father of two Lone Soldiers; and twins who donated $1,200 from their b’nai mitzvah fund.
Funds raised at the Gala provide services such as academic scholarships for former combat soldiers, financial support for soldiers in-need and Lone Soldiers from around the world, weeks of rest and recreation for entire IDF units, as well as cultural, educational and sports facilities. The evening was a unique and exclusive opportunity to pay tribute to Israel’s brave men and women in uniform and send them a message of love and support. For more information on the FIDF please visit
