FIDF https://www.fidf.org/ Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Sat, 14 Oct 2023 17:41:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.fidf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-FIDF_Symbol_FullColor_RGB_c-32x32.jpg FIDF https://www.fidf.org/ 32 32 Solidarity With Israel https://www.fidf.org/events/ylmiamisolidarity/ Sat, 14 Oct 2023 16:11:09 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20523 The post Solidarity With Israel appeared first on FIDF.

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]]> National YL Mission To Israel https://www.fidf.org/events/ylmission24/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:27:48 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20170 The post National YL Mission To Israel appeared first on FIDF.

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]]> Formal Education – A Vital Imperative! https://www.fidf.org/news/formal-education-a-vital-imperative/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 18:32:19 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20119 Back to News Despite society’s good intentions to provide equal opportunities, educating today’s youth suffers from serious disparities across a variety of cultural, socioeconomic, national, and ethnic groups. Fortunately for them, the Israel Defense Forces, a genuine melting pot of young soldiers from all walks of life, is the ultimate equalizer of opportunity. Through the […]

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Formal Education – A Vital Imperative!

Despite society’s good intentions to provide equal opportunities, educating today’s youth suffers from serious disparities across a variety of cultural, socioeconomic, national, and ethnic groups. Fortunately for them, the Israel Defense Forces, a genuine melting pot of young soldiers from all walks of life, is the ultimate equalizer of opportunity.

Through the combined efforts of the IDF and the Formal Education program, helmed by Friends of Israel Defense Forces, countless soldiers can complete their basic high school education when they otherwise would not have been able to do so. Whether from backgrounds of privilege or from those devoid of it, soldiers serve equally side-by-side on the IDF’s level playing field, surmounting personal barriers, making connections, and paving together their post-military roads ahead.

The FIDF’s Formal Education program ensures that natural citizens and new immigrants alike leave service with rich opportunities ahead and indispensable tools to claim them a place in Israel’s society with viable career skills. The cost for each soldier is $1,500. By saving one life from the indignities of impoverishment we’re saving an entire family from a life of despair!
“Without the soldiers of the IDF, there would be no Israel. They risk their lives on our behalf; I do my part to give them love and support during their service, and make sure that they have opportunities ahead afterwards.” – FIDF Supporter


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]]> Spectrum of Talent – Soldiers on the Autism Spectrum https://www.fidf.org/news/spectrum-of-talent-soldiers-on-the-autism-spectrum/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 18:24:14 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20112 Back to News A trailblazing new program, Spectrum of Talent opens the IDF’s doors to soldiers with autism in Israel. Spectrum of Talent provides opportunities to the thousands of Israelis with autism, promoting inclusion and harnessing important skills for the benefit of the country. More than 400 soldiers are currently participating in Spectrum of Talent. […]

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Spectrum of Talent – Soldiers on the Autism Spectrum

A trailblazing new program, Spectrum of Talent opens the IDF’s doors to soldiers with autism in Israel. Spectrum of Talent provides opportunities to the thousands of Israelis with autism, promoting inclusion and harnessing important skills for the benefit of the country.

More than 400 soldiers are currently participating in Spectrum of Talent. Many excel in areas that had once been off-limits to those on the spectrum, including units that require security clearances like the military cyber-Unit 9900, which gathers intelligence using satellites. With particular emphasis on aerial photo-analytic abilities of the Spectrum of Talent-trained soldiers, they analyze satellite images, drone video, and reconnaissance flights over areas like the Gaza Strip and Syria.

These talented soldiers played a significant role in “Operation Breaking Dawn” and the Gaza-Israel clashes in August 2022, and even more so during the recent spate of attacks. Spectrum of Talent is another example of why the IDF is an army like no other, utilizing talent from all walks of society and offering equal opportunity for the benefit of Israel’s protection. A gift of $674,000 for three cycles of 100 participants each for one year – $2,247 per person.

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]]> Therapy Dogs for Veterans with PTSD https://www.fidf.org/news/therapy-dogs-for-veterans-with-ptsd-2/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 17:23:11 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20104 Back to News For too many soldiers, the mental and emotional wounds of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are crippling. FIDF is partnering with the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense to ensure soldiers with PTSD, who often find themselves facing a lifetime of challenge, frustration, and pain, can continue to have a high quality […]

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Therapy Dogs for Veterans with PTSD

For too many soldiers, the mental and emotional wounds of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are crippling. FIDF is partnering with the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense to ensure soldiers with PTSD, who often find themselves facing a lifetime of challenge, frustration, and pain, can continue to have a high quality of life through our Therapy Dog program. The program pairs a veteran suffering from PTSD who needs emotional support and improved self-image with a specially trained therapy dog upon returning home from service.

Numerous clinical and professional studies have proven the extraordinary effectiveness that therapy dogs can have in assisting soldiers with PTSD after service. The wide range of benefits include:
  • Improved quality of life and daily activities
  • Promotion of positive emotions and reduced PTSD symptoms
  • Reduced use of medication
  • Lowered levels of depression
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Increased social functioning, including volunteering or working

Receiving a therapy dog for emotional support is life changing. As coping with daily life becomes easier and anxieties decrease, veterans slowly regain the confidence to reintegrate into society. Each kennel has 15 dogs and each dog costs $26,000. The total financial support per group of 15 dogs is $391,500. These dogs will provide unconditional love and emotional support for deserving veterans with PTSD.

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]]> SOULdier Recharge https://www.fidf.org/news/souldier-recharge-2/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:54:01 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20095 Back to News The dedicated combat soldiers of the IDF work around the clock to secure Israel’s borders and protect the Jewish people. Vital for steady, intense field assignments, Recharge fosters unity among soldiers and commanders, strengthens the team to operate seamlessly on the battlefield. Simultaneously, the program enables soldiers – combat men and women […]

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SOULdier Recharge

The dedicated combat soldiers of the IDF work around the clock to secure Israel’s borders and protect the Jewish people. Vital for steady, intense field assignments, Recharge fosters unity among soldiers and commanders, strengthens the team to operate seamlessly on the battlefield. Simultaneously, the program enables soldiers – combat men and women – to re-energize their souls for the challenges that lie ahead.

Uniquely, SOULdier Recharge provides donors the opportunity to support and connect directly with an entire unit. For example, following the recently executed “Operation House and Garden” mission in Jenin required thoughtful reflection.

SOULdier Recharge is a weeklong educational program that takes soldiers out of their day-to-day operational activities and provides them with a chance to process their experiences and mentally prepare for what inevitably lies ahead. The curriculum is designed to educate soldiers about the nature of their duties as soldiers and citizens of Israel, while rejuvenating their spirits and encouraging camaraderie.

Donors can sponsor an IDF unit of their choice with a SOULdier Recharge week and have the unique opportunity to develop personal relationships with the soldiers and commanders who are benefiting from their support. A grant of $25,000 covers the cost for one battalion to benefit from a SOULdier Recharge week.
“For the first time since my injury, I feel at home. I finally have the support of people who truly understand my situation. I am no longer alone.” — A Recent IDF Veteran

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]]> A Mezuzah for Every IDF Doorpost! https://www.fidf.org/news/a-mezuzah-for-every-idf-doorpost/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:41:57 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20078 Back to News This timeless link to our heritage dates to the Exodus when it served as an inspiring force that guarded the Jewish people. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) with its partner MyZuzah is launching a spiritual initiative to place mezuzot on doorposts on every IDF base and barrack. A part of […]

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A Mezuzah for Every IDF Doorpost!

This timeless link to our heritage dates to the Exodus when it served as an inspiring force that guarded the Jewish people. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) with its partner MyZuzah is launching a spiritual initiative to place mezuzot on doorposts on every IDF base and barrack. A part of Jewish tradition, many older IDF outposts that have no mezuzot or have damaged ones that are no longer recognized as ‘kosher’ need to be replaced. The shortage is acute in areas far from Israel’s population centers where soldiers experience some of the most challenging conditions.

Beautiful mezuzah parchments (klafim), handwritten by scribes (sofrim) according to Jewish law, are placed in protective metal cases by the IDF. Affixed by IDF rabbis according to Jewish tradition, each mezuzah dedication includes an educational component for the soldiers and will be documented with a photograph.

Cost: $75 per Mezuzah (parchment and case). With each donation, you will receive a certificate recognizing your special gift. Supporting a mezuzot is a great way to honor a special occasion, celebrate a mitzvah, honor, or memorialize a loved one or friend.

To buy a mezuzah for an IDF doorpost, visit fidf.org/mezuzot.

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]]> YL- LA Shabbat Dinner https://www.fidf.org/events/yllashabbat23/ Tue, 03 Oct 2023 18:33:15 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20065 The post YL- LA Shabbat Dinner appeared first on FIDF.

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]]> YL – Miami Family Day https://www.fidf.org/events/miafamilyday24/ Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:18:22 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20048 The post YL – Miami Family Day appeared first on FIDF.

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]]> YL-DC Latke Vodka https://www.fidf.org/events/dclatkevodka/ Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:42:18 +0000 https://www.fidf.org/?p=20042 The post YL-DC Latke Vodka appeared first on FIDF.

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