Western Region - Los Angeles Chapter

The Western Region of Friends of the IDF was founded in 1981 by Leo David who today serves as Chairman of the region and a member of the National Board of Directors. While the vast majority of support is derived from Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, the region has also conducted activities with donors in Sacramento, Napa Valley, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Aspen, and even Australia! 

The Western Region has been a national leader in raising funds for a variety of programs. Our donors sponsor nearly 400 IMPACT! scholarships; have adopted 8 IDF battalions; have hosted 30 LEGACY Bar/Bat Mitzvah age children to summer camp each of the past 4 years and 30 LEGACY Soldiers each of the past 3 years; have sponsored SPIRIT Weeks for every combat battalion who fought during Operation Cast Lead; and have built numerous major capital projects.

Western Region | 4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 406 | Marina del Rey, CA 90292 | 310-305-4063 | california@FIDF.org

Saluting the Future Soldiers of the IDF

While many of their peers are planning summer vacations and gearing up for college, there is a group of special young American men and women who have made a different choice.  They choose to leave their homes and their families, travel across the world and give their all protecting the state of Israel.
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Western Region Adopts Soldier’s House in Jerusalem

To provide for the soldiers' needs, FIDF Western Region has adopted and will fund a new Soldier’s House that will provide Lone Soldiers and soldiers who serve in the greater Jerusalem area with the accommodations and necessary facilities to support IDF’s mission.
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Bereaved “LEGACY” Children To Visit Los Angeles July 25th – August 5th

For the fourth year in a row, the Los Angeles Chapter will sponsor “LEGACY” children to ten days of summer camp fun, a day at Universal Studios, a shopping spree, and barbecue celebration party.
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FIDF Hosts Yom Ha’Atzmaut Party Featuring Photo Exhibit & IDF Musicians

On Tuesday, April 20th, nearly 250 guests attended FIDF - Los Angeles for a magnificent Yom Ha’Atzmaut Party at The Beverly Hilton hotel.  Underwritten by Ruth and Leo David and co-sponsored with strategic partner, Israeli Leadership Council, the event included a special exhibit of IDF photos by Ziv Koren, Israel’s pre-eminent photo journalist, as well as music by three gifted IDF musicians. 
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Western Region Gala Raises $5.2 Million to Benefit Soldiers

On Thursday, December 17th, more than 1,100 people filled the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton hotel to honor Israel's brave soldiers. The annual LA Gala, which was once again chaired by Cheryl & Haim Saban, was completely sold out by the first of December and set a new record raising $5.2 million in support of a variety of programs that ease the burden and further the wellbeing of Israel's soldiers.
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Los Angeles Chapter “Gratitude” Mission Dedicates Projects and Thanks Soldiers with Spectacular Party

In the fall of 2009, FIDF supporters from Los Angeles traveled to Israel to express their heartfelt gratitude to Israel’s soldiers for their dedication and sacrifice. During the five day mission, participants received briefings, met with brigade officers and soldiers in Nablus in the West Bank, and visited an undercover anti-terrorism unit.
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Western Region - Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors


Leo David - Chairman Fred Leeds
Paul Guerin - President Irving Levine
Rabbi Isaac Jeret - Vice President Jennifer Malkin
Erika Glazer - Vice President Tony Rubin
Philip Werthman, M.D. - Secretary/Treasurer Larry Schnaid
Kal Berson Adam Share
Cindy Dubin Ron Simms
Simon P. Etehad Marci Spitzer - Chair, Legacy Committee
Larry Hochberg Jerome Unatin, M.D.
Ted Kahan David Wiener
Ernie Kaplan Robert Zarnegin
Dina Leeds Ari Ryan and Jon Waterman - Young Leadership Representatives

Western Region - Los Angeles Professional Staff


Miri Nash - Regional Executive Director
Richard Mahan - Deputy Director
Maura Chwastyk - Associate Director  
Pauline Arae - Director of Projects and Programs  

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Testimonials

"Israel is unable to provide its soldiers with extras or luxuries. That’s why the support provided by Friends of the IDF is critical."
- Leo David, Founder and Chairman, FIDF Western Region

 

"Without Israel’s soldiers to protect her night and day, Israel will disappear… and that is just not an option. FIDF and its supporters must care for the soldiers' well being just as they protect our Jewish homeland."

- Paul Guerin, President, FIDF Western Region


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