About FIDF
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors to provide for the wellbeing of the men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as well as the families of fallen soldiers. Headquartered in New York City, FIDF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that operates 13 regional offices in the United States and two offices in Latin America.
The strength of the IDF, which has been guarding the State of Israel since it declared independence in 1948, derives from the selfless determination and great capabilities of the young men and women who form it. At the tender age of 18, all Israelis are drafted into the IDF. Those who serve commit to uphold the difficult tasks of defending Israel’s borders and guaranteeing the safety of its people.
The Israeli government is responsible for training IDF soldiers and providing them with the necessary tools for their service. FIDF is committed to providing these soldiers with love, support, and care in an effort to ease the burden they carry on behalf of the Jewish community worldwide.
Their job is to look after Israel. Ours is to look after them.
Mission Statement
The FIDF initiates and helps support social, educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland. The FIDF also provides support for the families of fallen soldiers.
How You Make a Difference:
In 2009:
• FIDF granted 2,439 IMPACT! scholarships for students at over 80 institutions throughout Israel.
• FIDF supported over 400 Ethiopian-Israeli soldiers through the Amir program, assisting them with their successful integration into the IDF.
• 4,913 soldiers enjoyed seminars, workshops, discussion groups, and field trips through the FIDF Identity and Purpose program.
• FIDF’s Sunday Culture program funded the attendance of 1,246 soldiers at concerts, art exhibits, plays, dance performances, film screenings, and lectures.
• FIDF sponsored 37 SPIRIT weeks, enabling 19,014 combat soldiers to enjoy a vacation week at the R&R facilities in Ashkelon and Givat Olga.
• FIDF assisted over 15,549 soldiers in-need as part of the DIGNITY program with critical aid for basic appliances and furniture, food vouchers, special grants, and holiday gift vouchers. Of these, about 4,000 were Lone Soldiers.
• FIDF sponsored 35 battalions through the Adopt a Battalion program, enabling them to enjoy fun and sports days, conduct unit ceremonies, and celebrate Jewish holidays together.
• FIDF funded over 300 different small projects such as club renovations, various wellbeing needs, and special unit evenings.
• FIDF completed 74 Construction Projects and there are 42 other projects in various stages of construction.
• FIDF LEGACY program for families of fallen soldiers supported 70 widows and 80 orphans through weeks of R&R around Israel. In addition, the LEGACY program hosted 98 Bar / Bat Mitzvah children from bereaved families at summer camps in the U.S. During this period, it also brought 40 LEGACY Soldiers from bereaved families for 10 days of vacation in the U.S.
• FIDF sponsored 85 flights for Lone Soldiers enabling these young men and women to visit their families abroad.
FIDF is proud to offer a variety of programs that enable our donors to contribute to a cause particularly close to their heart that meets the needs of IDF soldiers.