Yankee Stadium plays host to IDF fundraiser

[Jefferson23]

Over $100,000 raised in support of Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

By Haaretz Sports Staff | Jul. 20, 2012

Friends of the IDF, together with the president of the New York Yankees, Randy Levine, and his wife Mindy, raised over $100,000 on Monday in support of Israel Defense Forces soldiers, the non-profit announced yesterday.

Over 60 prominent lay leaders and supporters gathered in a private suite in Yankee Stadium. Major General (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon, the national director of the Friends of the IDF, was also on hand. A small group of IDF soldiers joined them for a tour of the stadium, a view of batting practice and a chance to see the Yankees defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3, according to the organization.

The event raised $100,000 for the Oketz Unit, the canine Special Forces unit of the IDF. A representative of Friends of the IDF said the money raised will provide a much needed spirit R&R week for the unit this fall. She added the funds will also be used to support well-being needs of the soldiers, including clothing, backpacks and fleeces.

http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/anglo-file/yankee-stadium-plays-host-to-idf-fundraiser-1.452364

[King_David]

1. Good for them

Probably good for business too and a tax receipt too.

Win win win

[azurnoir]

2. well

Poverty in the IDF: Thousands jailed for economically motivated desertion

On Friday, Channel 2 News aired a story of unique importance, offering a glimpse into the world of the financial difficulties faced by Israeli soldiers. A soldier from the notorious Kfir Brigade, which is often accused of brutal treatment of Palestinians, testified that 9 out of 10 soldiers need financial support, and a Knesset report indicated that thousands of soldiers desert for financial reasons each year.

A recent report by the Knesset Research and Information Center indicates that 14,000 soldiers were imprisoned in 2012. More than 70 percent of these soldiers were sentenced for short-term or long-term desertion; according to Channel 2 the majority of desertions were economically motivated. Military service is mandatory in Israel (with several exceptions) and it pays very little: NIS 350 a month, NIS 700 for a combatant. The latter is less than $200 a month, about a seventh of the minimum wage in the labor market; even if you take into consideration the services the army provides, it is still far too little to actually live off.

http://972mag.com/poverty-in-the-idf-thousands-jailed-for-financially-motivated-desertion/77588/

now that said I can't think of another foreign military that raises funds in the US from private donors

[King_David]

3. Well you should find a political party that agrees with you

And vote for them for president and congress.
That's how democracy works.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. Random non-sequitur

I don't believe that supporting the IDF by private donations is a policy of either of the USA's major political parties (and in point of fact one would hope that the many billions in aid that the USA provides Israel made it unnecessary).

[King_David]

5. I help treat the IDF soldiers to pizza treat

Every now and then.
A friend of mine was in a group of soldiers who was very grateful to receive .


http://pizzaidf.org