Israeli Soldiers and Widows to Receive Over $2 Million in Holiday Aid

In anticipation of the High Holidays, the Association for the Wellbeing of Soldiers and the Friends of the IDF (FIDF) in the US are launching a significant support initiative. This program will distribute gift certificates valued at over NIS 8 million (approximately $2.2 million USD) to Israeli soldiers and IDF widows facing financial hardship. The aim is to alleviate holiday expenses and allow recipients to celebrate with dignity.

Under this initiative, 12,000 lone soldiers and those eligible for specific support programs will each receive gift certificates worth NIS 500 (approximately $135 USD). This portion of the aid, totaling around NIS 6 million (approximately $1.6 million USD), is funded by a donation from FIDF.

An additional donation of approximately NIS 2 million (approximately $540,000 USD) from donors in Canada will provide similar gift certificates to soldiers' families with complex socio-economic needs, based on criteria defined by the IDF.

Liron Donal, CEO of FIDF in Israel, emphasized the importance of supporting soldiers, especially those who are alone or struggling financially, to help them celebrate the holidays with dignity and a sense of belonging. Eyal Alok, CEO of the Association for the Wellbeing of Soldiers, added that this holiday support is another way to ease burdens, strengthen soldiers, and remind them they are not alone, expressing gratitude to donors and partners worldwide.