Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Celebrates Annual New York Gala

For the past 15 years, Danny Zelouf has served as president of Zelouf International located in New York City. Heavily involved in philanthropy, Danny Zelouf supports several charitable organizations, one of which is the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF).

Begun in 1981 by several Holocaust survivors, FIDF offers education and support to men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The nonprofit organization also helps families of fallen soldiers. Israeli soldiers, who are drafted into the IDF once they turn 18, serve the country’s borders. The FIDF provides these soldiers with support, care, and compassion to help them deal with looking out for the Jewish community.

Although it is headquartered in New York, the FIDF maintains branches across the country. The New York chapter hosted its annual gala dinner on March 15, 2016, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Former Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya’alon and U.S. Ambassador Danny Danon were in attendance. The gala brought together more than 1,300 business people and leaders who raised a record-breaking $33.1 million. These funds will support educational and well-being programs for the soldiers.

The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces’ IMPACT Program

The president of Zelouf International, Danny Zelouf leads fabric/textile import and design operations from company locations in both New York and Los Angeles. He also supports a range of Jewish and Israeli philanthropic causes. As a contributor to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), Danny Zelouf helps provide health and education resources to service personnel in the IDF and to the families of fallen soldiers.

A 501c3 not-for-profit corporation with headquarters in New York City, FIDF maintains 15 regional offices in the United States and Panama. One of its flagship initiatives, the IMPACT Program, provides postsecondary scholarships to former Israeli combat soldiers. In addition to covering tuition costs at an accredited college or university, these scholarships typically cover textbooks and other associated expenses. Recipients of IMPACT scholarships must promise to give back to the community at large by completing 130 hours of volunteer service during each year of study.