Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Plans 3rd Annual Gala in Pikesville

The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces' Mid Atlantic Region will hold its third annual gala on Oct. 23 in Pikesville, according to the group's website.

Keynote speaker wll be U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman.

Gala chairmen are Joshua Mauer and Sheldon Berman.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m., but there is a cocktail hour as well.

The FIDF chapter is headquartered in Pikesville, and there are 1,000 donors in the Baltimore area, said Executive Director Charlie Levine.

It is the official fundraiser of the Israel Defense Forces, he said.

There are an additional 1,000 donors in Washington, D.C., he said.

According to the FIDF website, the organization raises money to fund social programs that help Israeli soldiers—social programs that their government cannot afford.

"We take care of the widows, families. We build gymnasiums and synagogues on the bases, etcetera," Levine said.

Examples of some programs are:

• DIGNITY—Welfare for soldiers in need.
• IMPACT!—Academic scholrships for former combat soldiers.
• LEGACY—Assistance to families of fallen soldiers.
• SPIRIT—Recreational programs for combat soldiers
• CAPITAL PROJECTS—Club rooms, gymnasiums, synagogues, etc.

While the FIDF has existed for 30 years, the Mid Atlantic Region has been around for only three, but has been very successful.

In the first year of the gala, the local FIDF raised $400,000 to support the troops and their widows and families, Levine said. Last year it raised $700,000. And the goal this year is $1 million.