Sunday Culture Program
Broadening Their Horizons with a Taste of Culture
In Israel, Sunday marks the beginning of the work-week as well as the military week: the time when soldiers leave their families after a weekend break and return to their service. Soldiers gather at certain meeting points from which they continue to their military bases. Therefore, Sunday presents an opportunity for soldiers to enjoy cultural events as educational group activities.
For many soldiers, the Sunday Culture Program is a unique opportunity to experience something they have not before, such as attending a dance performance or a theatrical production. The program exposes soldiers from all walks of life and different parts of Israel to a range of Israeli art and culture.
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Sunday Culture Brochure
These activities connect the soldiers with the civilian community during their military service. The Sunday Culture days give the soldiers the opportunity to relax, enjoy good performances, spend time with other soldiers, and re-energize themselves for the return to their base.
- Last year, 1,200 soldiers enjoyed cultural activities, such as concerts, art exhibits, museum visits, dance performances, film screenings, and lectures, underwritten by FIDF.
- Cost: Any gift is greatly appreciated. FIDF Sunday Culture Program is limited only by its limited resources. FIDF’s goal is to give every combat soldier the opportunity to enjoy at least one cultural activity during his or her service. To realize this goal, FIDF must raise $250,000 per year.
Gifted Musicians in the IDF
As part of promoting the Sunday Culture Program, FIDF also supports the Gifted Musicians Program, which encourages and nurtures young musicians who are serving their country as IDF soldiers. Many musicians who grew up learning and improving their music often set it aside when joining the army. Through the Gifted Musicians Program, they have the opportunity to practice their music, attend concerts, auditions and competitions, and perform in front of the soldiers.
Upon completing their military service, graduates of this program continue to study, perform, and lead successful musical careers all over the world.
- Cost: The cost of annual expenses for the Gifted Musicians Program is $50,000. FIDF welcomes any contribution that helps young musicians in Israel develop their talent as part of their military service.
Testimonials
"Life as a soldier at a checkpoint is particularly difficult. The shifts are long and the routine becomes grey. Endless streams of people trying to cross - it isn’t simple to contend with both the human and security elements. You need food for creative and positive thought, and the FIDF Sunday Culture gives it to you. Amid the chaos, it makes me feel connected to civilization."
- Yair, IDF soldier
"Last Sunday, we took our young cadets to see ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Cameri Theater of Tel Aviv as part of the Sunday Culture Program. I must stress that this break in military routine and the opportunity to enjoy a Sunday Culture event feels amazing and shows us that there are people who appreciate what we do, not just as soldiers and commanders, but also as human beings."
- IDF Course Commander
"Personally, I was really moved by this play. But more than that – I was happy to see soldiers, for whom this play was their first (and maybe last?) theater experience, enjoy the event so much. Even just for this one simple thing – it is all worth it."
- IDF Course Commander
"As a young musician embarking upon a professional career, the Gifted Musicians Program allowed me to maintain and develop my musical skills after joining the IDF. Many of my friends and colleagues benefited from this great program. Without the opportunities it provided us, we would not have been able to continue with the same artistic direction that has been a part of us since childhood. There is no equivalent to this unique program, and I hope it will help young musicians for many years to come."
- Tibi Cziger, Graduate of the Gifted Musicians Program and the Juilliard School