Some 200 Connecticut Jewish community leaders gathered Nov. 3 for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Connecticut Annual Dinner at the Stamford Marriott Hotel.

Highlighted by guest speaker Capt. Ziv Shilon, who lost an arm in a Hamas terror attack near the Gaza Strip security fence, attendees included several former and active-duty IDF soldiers, including FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipient Staff Sgt. (Res.) Elior, a former paratrooper who participated in one of the first rescue missions in northern Gaza during Operation Cast Lead, and 1st Lt. Sivan, who was orphaned at the age of 13, yet still enlisted in the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit as a Lone Soldier, where she now serves as an officer.

“Two years ago, I enlisted as a Lone Soldier through a special program funded by FIDF that helps Ethiopian teenagers integrate into the army and achieve more influential positions in the IDF,” said Sivan. “Thanks to FIDF I stand here today an officer and a President’s Excellence Award recipient.”

“This was a particularly special event for the FIDF Connecticut Chapter, offering an opportunity for us to meet the soldiers who keep Israel safe, who stand guard day and night to protect the most important place for Jews all around the world – the Jewish homeland,” said FIDF Connecticut Board Member and Gala Committee Member Alan Phillips.

CAP: (L to R) FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Director Anat Chavkin; FIDF supporter Marvin Schildkraut; Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gila Klifi-Amir and her husband, FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir; FIDF national president Peter Weintraub, FIDF supporters Ella, Alex and Mitch Gurevich, Robyn Greenberg, Evan Perkins, and Russ Greenberg; and FIDF Westchester/Connecticut Development Associate Ali Picheny. Photo Credit: Aviva Maller Photography.