FIDF

‘Operation Hug’

Initiative to reunite lone soldiers with parents resumes

Nefesh B’Nefesh, Friends of the IDF (FIDF) and Jewish National Fund–USA, combine efforts once again to bring Lone Soldiers and parents together after long separation.

New Resilience Center provides vital support for Lone Soldiers

Co-established by Nefesh B’Nefesh and Friends of the IDF (FIDF), the center provides comprehensive mental health services and emotional support for Lone Soldiers returning to civilian life – in Israel and the USA

Fast lane for lone soldiers:

Nefesh B'Nefesh and FIDF host driver's license conversion day

The event, co-hosted by Israel’s Ministry of Transportation and the IDF streamlined the license conversion for some 900 Lone Soldiers and National Service Volunteers in just one day - under one roof.

Home away from home:

Thanksgiving dinner held for lone soldiers in Jerusalem

Over 300 Ex-Pats gathered together for an evening of gratitude and nostalgia featuring classics such as turkey and pumpkin pie but with an Israeli twist.

In Tel Aviv:

New Nefesh B'Nefesh center supports lone soldiers, new immigrants

The new Nefesh B’Nefesh Tel Aviv Center is located in the Azrieli tower, in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Inaugural driver’s license conversion day for lone soldiers

The event was attended by 1000 Lone Soldiers as well as National Service Volunteers, expediting the conversion of their foreign driver’s licenses in one day.

Itay Levy wows New York audience: 'Have no fear, Israel!'

Israeli singer Itay Levy performs at a sold-out fundraiser for Friends of the IDF. 'In name of my country and my people, thank you.'

FIDF ensures Israeli soldiers will enjoy Rosh Hashanah

Gift cards worth $1.3M distributed to Lone Soldiers and soldiers in need.

Groundbreaking for new state-of-the-art home for Lone Soldiers

FIDF, IFCJ, and Ha'aguda Lema'an Hachayal fund building with 56 apartments to house Lone Soldiers who left their homes to defend Israel.

Showing gratitude to the IDF, the modern-day Maccabees

Much of the world doesn't realize how much Israel's survival depends on the bravery of the young IDF soldiers who protect it. Op-ed.

American supporters bike across Israel with wounded IDF veterans

American Friends of the IDF bike with wounded veterans across Israel.

Over 2,000 lone soldiers attend annual Nefesh B'Nefesh event

Nefesh B’Nefesh, Friends of the IDF (FIDF), host annual ‘Personal Errands Day’ for Lone Soldiers' as the finale to a special week.

IDF Chief of Staff salutes FIDF for 21 years of impact

Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, program graduates, join annual event for IDF vets receiving college scholarships.

Bride: 'Immigrating to Israel led me to my partner for life'

First lone soldier wedding hosted at Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Campus in Jerusalem.

Israeli Air Force major moved by the support of American Jewry

IAF Major who continued in his father's path in the Air Force says that FIDF NY event was a very meaningful and powerful experience.

Lapid at gala in New York:

'Israel is stronger than all of our enemies'

Prime Minister Yair Lapid speaks at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala: The US has stood by our side from the very beginning.

Children & siblings of fallen soldiers enjoy unique summer camp

Nearly two dozen children and siblings of fallen Israeli soldiers enjoy US summer camp experience thanks to FIDF.

Twin brothers make aliyah and will enlist in elite IDF unit

Ari and Ron (18), twin brothers from New York, immigrated to Israel and will be drafted into the Shayetet 13 unit of the Naval Brigade.

Olympic taekwondo medalist shares experiences as IDF soldier

Israeli Tokyo Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist welcomed at FIDF Washington, D.C., chapter.

FIDF cuts funding to IDF Widows and Orphans

IDF Widows and Orphans Organization finds itself in dire straits as major contributor set to end financial support.

IDF soldiers host Iranian Muslims at military base

Iranian Muslim dissidents and activists meet IDF soldiers on Israeli military base on Lebanon border.

FIDF announces Hanukkah giving campaign

FIDF announces new Hanukkah giving campaign and virtual lighting series featuring lone soldiers.

Over $15m raised at first-ever virtual FIDF national gala

'Nowhere in the world is there another organization like this,' IDF Chief of Staff says.

Largest IDF synagogue to date opens

Soldiers at IDF training campus in Southern Israel can now pray and celebrate in the largest IDF synagogue to date.

1,000 US lone soldiers will not be with families for Passover

Friends of the IDF implements programs to address needs of soldiers stuck on base indefinitely due to coronavirus.

FIDF supporters to cycle across Israel with wounded veterans

American FIDF to host its 5th Annual Ride, an intense six-day bicycle adventure through Israel to show solidarity with Israeli soldiers.

Camp for bereaved teens kicks off

D.C. and Philadelphia-area summer camp for children and siblings of fallen Israeli soldiers offers participants fully-funded fun.

Holocaust survivor meets US army vet who liberated her

Sophie Tajch Klisman meets army vet Doug Harvey, thanking him for helping liberate her from Salzwedel concentration camp during WW II.

FIDF breaks records

More than half-billion shekels raised to benefit IDF soldiers by American Friends of the IDF (FIDF) in 2018.

20 women FIDF supporters to embark on unique mission to Israel

20 leaders and supporters of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces from across the US to join FIDF Women’s Mission to Israel.

Surprise celebration for NY native who donated center years ago

In moving ceremony, FIDF honors long-time supporter who donated sports center to IDF soldiers 20 years ago.

'It's the least we can do'

An interview with a unique man: Max Blankfeld, who sponsors a project exposing UNRWA, and heads the Texas FIDF, among many other things.

Hollywood honors the IDF

The star-studded event raised $60 million for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

"We turn hateful into grateful"

Watch: Staff Sgt. Bar, a paramedic who treats Syrian civilians as part of the IDF’s “Operation Good Neighbor,” at FIDF event.

'Proud to be a soldier in the IDF'

Watch: Cpt. Or, the first female soldier to command a Patriot Battery, speaks to the participants at the FIDF event in Manhattan.

Meet the Rebbe's grandson, an IDF officer

Watch: Arutz Sheva speaks with grandson of Satmar Rebbe who graduated from the IDF's Officer School.

From the battlefield to Manhattan

IDF Soldiers attend annual FIDF event in NYC; 'There's a community who decided to stand side-by-side with IDF; very important contribution.'

'Thanks to IDF soldiers - Jews can flourish around the world'

Public figures join FIDF in wishing IDF soldiers well: 'Spectacular event shows level of support our soldiers get - highest level ever.'

From Israel to Broadway to singing with soldiers

Renowned Israeli singer and former X Factor Israel television personality performs with IDF Musical Ensemble at gala dinner.

During one night: Over $32 million raised for IDF soldiers

1,200 business people and philanthropists salute Israel’s brave soldiers in an inspiring evening attended by IDF soldiers.

Supporters of FIDF to cycle across Israel

Supporters of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) gearing up for an intense six-day bicycle ride through Israel this month.

New IDF synagogue dedicated in time for Jewish New Year

Thanks to Florida natives, Israeli soldiers receive new synagogue in time for High Holidays.

NBA star shoots guns with Israeli police during visit

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green visits police training centers during visit to Israel, prompting criticism from leftist groups.

'We will win every encounter with the enemy'

Friends of the IDF unveil new synagogue, donate Torah scroll to IDF base in southern Israel.

Bed Bath & Beyond President may chair top Jewish policy group

Arthur Stark of Bed Bath & Beyond and Friends of the IDF is likely to chair the Conference of Presidents.

Caring for Israel’s defenders:

Nefesh B’Nefesh - FIDF ‘personal errands day’ for Lone Soldiers

All essential government agencies whose services are needed by Lone Soldiers were concentrated under one roof in one intensive day.

Meet the twin IDF lone soldiers

Arutz Sheva speaks with twin brothers Even and Shai Goel, who left their family in the US to join the IDF as 'lone soldiers.'

Holocaust survivor reunited with woman who hid her from Nazis

At an event held by Friends of the IDF Holocaust survivor Miri Amir meets savior Mirosława Gruszczyńska.

Florida FIDF event raises over $2 million

More than 800 IDF supporters join MK Michael Oren for FIDF gala.

Over 1,500 lone IDF soldiers gather for personal errands day

Over 40 representatives from various government departments, NGOs, agencies assist lone soldiers with all bureaucratic requirements.

Women IDF supporters to visit Israel

FIDF delegation to meet with Israeli women political and military leaders.

20 Lone Soldiers Make Aliyah on Hanukkah

72 Olim landed at Ben Gurion Airport this morning, including 20 future Lone Soldiers - ‘present-day Maccabees.’

Hollywood salutes IDF soldiers

Hollywood stars came to show support for IDF soldiers at annual FIDF gala event in Los Angeles.

Watch: WWII vet reunited with Holocaust survivor he liberated

Sid Shafner and Marcel Levy forged a close friendship after Shafner liberated Dachau concentration camp, but the two lost touch for decades.

Immigrant lone soldiers get some backup

Over 1,500 lone soldiers take part in Yom Siddurim in Tel Aviv, making their lives easier as the bureaucracy comes to them.

Hollywood celebs raise $31 million for IDF soldiers

Actors and singers take part in massive FIDF event, showing 'amazing support of Hollywood elite and Jewish community' for Israeli soldiers.

Syria is '50 Shades of Black,' Says IDF Intelligence Chief

IDF Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Hertzi Halevi warns FIDF gala audience that internal violence along Syria's borders is growing.

Watch: Immigrants Celebrate Thanksgiving in Israel

What does Thanksgiving mean to an expat? Celebrants say traditional American holiday has become universal.

Pro-Palestinian Groups to Protest Maccabi Tel Aviv Game in US

In the weeks after Operation Protective Edge, Maccabi Tel Aviv to be met by Pro-Palestinian protestors at their preseason games in the US.

IDF Captain Who Lost Arm Proposes to Girlfriend

Captain Ziv Shilon, who was wounded in a terror attack and lost his arm, proposed to his girlfriend in front of 1,500 people in Miami.