About the New Jersey Chapter

The New Jersey Chapter of FIDF began back in 1970 when three Lone Soldiers – Sammy Bar Or, Avi Oren and Mike Gross – met while serving in the IDF. After returning to the United States, they reunited and decided they wanted to provide for other Lone Soldiers. That commitment was realized in 2004 when they founded the Chapter with our first Annual IDF Tribute Dinner in 2005 and today we are approximately 25,000 strong.

The FIDF New Jersey Chapter is proud of the young men and women in Israel and from our community who serve in the IDF. It is our honor to look after these young heroes as they look after Israel.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Tu B'Shvat Breakfast

 

NEWS

Star of hit Netflix series ‘Fauda’ joins FIDF NJ Supporters to raise over $500k for Israeli Soldiers

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GARFIELD, Dec. 4 – Over 250 Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) New Jersey supporters braved the first snowstorm of the season to gather on Monday, December 2, for the 2019 FIDF New Jersey Tribute Dinner, featuring Israeli TV and film star Rona-Lee Shim’on of the hit Netflix series Fauda . The FIDF event, themed “A Night of Heroes,” raised over $500,000 for the organization’s well-being and educational programs. 2019 FIDF New Jersey Tribute Dinner guest speaker Rona-Lee Shim’on and Master of Ceremonies Siggy Flicker onstage at the FIDF New Jersey Tribute Dinner. Photo Credit: Shahar Azran Shim’on, who...
Members of the IDF Ensemble singing at the NJ Jersey Shore event on August 18th

The IDF Ensemble at the Jersey Shore

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Over 80 FIDF supporters from New Jersey came together in song and celebration for a very special IDF Ensemble Concert in Long Branch. We were joined by Sergeant Omer and Sergeant Lior who sang a wide range of songs from Israeli classics to modern pop. We also heard from First Sergeant Dana who shared with us her incredible story of survival after being struck by a terrorist. New Jersey Community a huge thank you for making this evening of music and dance such a success. Your enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to our brothers and sisters in the Israel Defense Forces...

Guys Night Out

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On June 11, 2019, the New Jersey Chapter held its first ever Guys Night Out at the Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, NJ. We enjoyed drinks, games and had the privilege of hearing from Staff Sgt. Matan and Sgt. Major Tomer , both of whom received FIDF IMPACT! scholarships, enabling them to pursue their dreams of higher education. A special thank you to Mitch Broder , Guys Night Out Event Chair, for helping make the inaugural Guys Night Out such a success.
Standing: (from left) FIDF Tri-State Executive Director Galit Brichta; Hadar Edelstein; Maj. Gen. Michael Edelstein; FIDF Chairman Emeritus Arthur Stark; Sylvia Stark. Sitting: (from left) Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gila Klifi-Amir; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; Donna Calcaterra; Wayne Fried; Isabelle Klaus

Hundreds attend 2018 New Jersey dinner, raising over $4 million

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More than 400 members of the New Jersey Jewish community gathered this Oct. 7 at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe for the New Jersey Chapter Annual Tribute Dinner to support the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces, including N.J. natives serving as ‘Lone Soldiers’ – those who immigrate to Israel without immediate family in order to serve in the IDF. The dinner, which has become one of the N.J. Jewish community’s premier events, celebrated Israel's 70th birthday as FIDF and its supporters saluted seven decades of heroes and hope. To recognize this anniversary, a special ceremony honored...

New Jersey Hosts Bereaved Children for Their Bar/Bat Mitzvah

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Sixteen children and siblings of fallen IDF soldiers visited Long Island and New Jersey as part of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces LEGACY program to attend an unforgettable weeklong recreation camp. FIDF supporters in Long Island and New Jersey hosted the Israeli teens – all of whom have lost a family member who was serving in Israel’s military – at their homes in the Great Neck, N.Y., and Deal, N.J., areas before and after the camp as part of the LEGACY experience. At Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, in Wingdale, N.Y., the Israeli teens bonded with each other...
Lior Raz at New Jersey FIDF Event

Parlor Meeting with Lior Raz of Fauda

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The co-creator and star of the hit Israeli Netflix show Fauda, Lior Raz, gathered with over 30 New Jersey FIDF supporters at the home of FIDF New Jersey Co-Chairs Jodi and Saul Scherl on to help the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces. “I cannot take out the warrior inside of me. I am a Zionist and I have to protect my family and friends” Raz told the FIDF gathering. Funds raised at the event helped construct well-being and recreational facilities for an elite IDF unit in the Negev Desert. So far, $560,000 has been raised for...
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BOARD MEMBERS

Adam Bell Harry Tuvel Ronit Hanan
Amy Geldzahler Jay Zimmet Sammy Bar-Or
Annette Stern Jodi Scherl Saul Scherl
Avi Oren Lance Drucker Seth Geldzahler
Mel Berger Lisa Nadler Sharon Raanan
Brian Katz Lloyd Sokoloff Shelly Talmud
Moshe Cazaz Marc Breslaw Steve Mermelstein
Cheri Deshe Marc Zimmet Steve Talmud
David Moskovic Martin Heistein Sylvia Zimmet
Debbie Cazaz Melinda Lowell-Paltrow Thomas Nadler
Beth Drucker Michael Axelrod  
Ellen Sokoloff Norbert Schacter