Atlanta Celebrates Israel's 70th at Benefit for IDF Soldiers

Photo credits: Jon Marks Photography.

ATLANTA – A record crowd of nearly 600 community leaders gathered Monday at the InterContinental Buckhead for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Atlanta Gala Dinner, which celebrated 70 years of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and raised a record of more than $750,000 to support well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers.

The evening, which is one of the Atlanta Jewish community’s largest events, featured a speech from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and a keynote address by U.S. Congressman Brian Mast. A former U.S. Army staff sergeant, Mast lost both of his legs after being seriously injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Bothered by anti-Israel demonstrations while he was studying at Harvard University, he traveled to Israel in 2015 to volunteer on an IDF base and show his support for Israel’s soldiers.

“Volunteering alongside soldiers of the IDF taught me that I had brothers facing the same battles I was,” said Mast. “Today Israel and America both fight so that we may never allow ourselves to become terrorized by those who commit beheadings, suicide bombings, take hostages, and target the innocent with executions. The soldiers I met who were recovering from their injuries learned what I did: that we are blessed with 24 hours every day to do as much good as we can squeeze in.”

Telling their inspiring stories at the event were active-duty soldiers representing the IDF’s best from the land, air and sea;1st Lt. Shlomo, who received a citation for his outstanding courage during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge; Capt. “N.,” a woman combat flight navigator; and Israeli Navy Capt. “Y.,” the grandson of a Polish Holocaust survivor who, thanks to FIDF, was able to take part in the Witnesses in Uniform program, which brings Israeli soldiers and officers to Poland to commemorate and learn about the Holocaust.

Two Lone Soldiers – those who immigrate to Israel with no immediate family in order to serve in the IDF – originally from the Atlanta area, Cpl. Dafna and Sgt. Zach, also spoke about their experience. There are some 6,750 Lone Soldiers from 70 countries serving in the IDF today. About 880 of them are American, with some 30 of them originally from Georgia.

“For the past 70 years, the brave men and women of the IDF risked their lives to protect Israel and Jews around the world,” said FIDF Southeast Chairman Garry Sobel. “Our gala was a wonderful opportunity for our supporters to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary, while meeting, connecting, and expressing gratitude to the young soldiers who safeguard the Jewish state today.”

One of Israel’s rising musical stars, award-winning violinist Bar Markovich, gave a special cross-genre performance at the dinner. Other distinguished guests included U.S. Congressman Doug Collins; U.S. Congresswoman Karen Handel; Consul General of Israel to the Southeast United States Amb. Judith Varnai Shorer; Atlanta resident Chaim Avneri, a veteran of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence who served in the Haganah and later the IDF, after the state of Israel was established, until 1950; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF Southeast Executive Director Seth Baron; and FIDF Southeast Region Development Director Tracy Bernstein.

Photo #1: (From left) FIDF Southeast Executive Director Seth Baron; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal;Consul General of Israel to the Southeast United States Amb. Judith Varnai Shorer; and U.S. Congressman Brian Mast at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.

Photo #2: Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal(center, left) and FIDF Southeast Executive Director Seth Baron(center, right) with IDF soldiers from Atlanta Sgt. Zach(left) and Cpl. Dafna (right) at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.

Photo #3: U.S. Congressman and former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Mast(center) with IDF soldiers at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.

Photo #4: U.S. Congressman Brian Mast speaking at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.

Photo #5: FIDF Southeast Chairman Garry Sobel speaking at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.

Photo #6: IDF Cpl. Dafna (right), originally from Atlanta, showered a local Holocaust survivor with flowers and affection at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.

Photo #7: 1948 Israeli War of Independence Veteran Chaim Averni (right) and his wife Penny (left) with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (center).

Photo #8: FIDF supporters and leaders with U.S. and IDF soldiers at the May 14 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner.