San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
The San Francisco Bay Area chapter was established in 2008. Extending from the wine country in the north down to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula in the south, our chapter is home to a large and growing Jewish community. Since the establishment of the FIDF chapter, the community’s ties to Israel and its support of the IDF soldiers have been rapidly growing.
Based on its new professional staff and its reenergized Board, this chapter has high expectations and goals. The chapter issues a monthly e-newsletter and carries out a wide range of programs, including events that cater to the large young and technology-savvy population of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The San Francisco Bay Area chapter Leadership:
Local Board of Directors: The chapter has formed a board of directors and will conduct its first board meeting on June 2, 2010. The board, which operates under formal guidelines, currently has 11 members representing the primary regional areas covered by the Chapter (San Francisco, East Bay, Peninsula, and the South Bay). A chairman, president, and vice president have been designated. The board has been officially approved by the National Board.
Young Leadership Division: We are excited to share the successful launch of the Friends of the IDF Young Leadership Division of the San Francisco Bay Area. On February 21, 2010, a large group met to learn about the organization. We look forward to developing a Young Leadership Division that inspires and engages the community. If you are interested in participating and becoming involved in working with this division of young people, it is not too late. Please join us on Facebook and feel free to contact us with questions. The YL has continues to increase its membership and now consists of over 270 members. The YL held its first big event on May 22nd, 2010.
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter | 825 San Antonio Rd. Suite 207 | Palo Alto, CA 94303 | 650-494-3100 | sanfrancisco@FIDF.org
Philanthropy at a young age
Rudy Rockman, a high school student who recently moved to the Bay Area, organized a party to raise funds for the FIDF while he was still living in Miami. He raised $1000, which his parents matched.
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Wornick Jewish Day School 7th graders award the largest check to the FIDF
Seventh-graders at Wornick Jewish Day School in Foster City work all year on their philanthropic Mitzvah project. Each student selects a charitable organization, researches and writes about it, and shares the information with classmates.
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Purim Event Raises $20,000
FIDF supporters Dorit and George Alon hosted a spectacular Purim nightclub party in downtown Mountain View on Sunday night, February 28. The event featured Hollywood celebrity theme and included more than 300 FIDF supporters.
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SF Bay Area chapter led for the first time Israel’s Memorial Day commemoration
On April 19, the FIDF SF Bay Area chapter led for the first time the Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) commemoration. 1400 people attended the ceremony which was held at the Flint Center in Cupertino.
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SF Bay Area chapter New Location
We moved our office to Palo Alto, right across from the JCC. Though the place is not free of boxes yet, as we are still unpacking, the new home already looks like an official FIDF headquarters. The Israeli flag, the photos of soldiers, the FIDF t-shirts and hats nicely displayed in the shelf, give the office a distinctly. We have a wonderful new volunteer who will be helping us to organize the office, and attend weekly to clerical tasks, and, we have a new Administrative Assistant, Sharon Laufman.
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San Francisco Bay Chapter Board of Directors
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| Sloane Citron, Chair |
Howard Fine |
| Lisa Cohen, President |
Taly Katz
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| Francine Gani, Vice President |
Amnon Rodan |
| Robert Hudson - Chair Emeritus |
Sharam Sasson |
| Ricki Alon |
Chagit Shmargad
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| Riva Bererlson |
Rosemary Schindler |
| Ross Dargahi |
Sarita Bronstein - Executive Director
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Testimonials
"It is my joy and duty to support the FIDF, to help the young men and women who defend and preserve our Jewish nation. Without the IDF, Israel wouldn't exist. Israel is the place of my soul, my dreams, and my people. The actions I take as an FIDF supporter; from attending a function, to giving a gift, to encouraging a friend to join us; make a big difference to the IDF soldiers. It seems like such a simple way to play a role in Israel's safety and future."
- Sloane Citron, San Francisco Bay Area Board Chairman
"Without the IDF there would be no Israel!"
- Lisa Cohen, San Francisco Bay Area Board President
""The story of Israel’s Economic Miracle” as described in “Start Up Nation” by Dan Senor could not have happened without the important role of the IDF.
“Battlefield Entrepreneurs” The culture of leadership, risk management, innovations and team work is being taught and practiced from age 18 at the IDF. The role of the IDF provides inspiring insights into what’s behind Israel’s dynamic economy.
This is above and beyond the fundamental role of the military defense forces."
- Ricki Alon, Board Member
"Israel is in very real terms on the front lines of a war against democracy and liberty by a fanatical and determined enemy. It is the men and women of the IDF who bravely protect Israel and by proxy the United States against the same forces that oppose our freedoms and way of life. It is our responsibility as both friends and allies of Israel to support her and the IDF against a ruthless foe bent on eliminating Israel and her people. Through its many programs directly impacting the lives of soldiers and their families, the FIDF provides the perfect vehicle to fulfill this responsibility."
- Ross Dargahi, Board Member
"As a former member of the IDF, I witnessed the impact of a contribution, a new basketball court, on the wellbeing of my platoon. It truly is a way for us here to help those that put their lives on the line. Our financial involvement touches lives and makes a difference that you can experience firsthand. That’s a special and very motivating opportunity."
- Amnon Rodan, San Francisco Bay Area Board Member
"I consider myself privileged to have had the State of Israel all my life, others have not been that fortunate. I feel oblige to contribute to Israel’s well being by doing all that I can."
- Sharam Sasson, Board Member