Page 27 - Jewish News_February-2021

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD February 2021 27A

New FIDF CEO: The more you know us, FIDF CEO..continued from page 26A Holocaust, providing them with a 1939. They sought to remain in the live- bonds, and he connected all these peo-
self-dignity,” says Weil. He adds that
the more you’ll want to join us many soldiers who have been in the deeper understanding of their Jewish stock business and purchased a farm 50 ple to Israel. It made a huge impact on
program become officers and mentors
miles from Buffalo, New York, where
me growing up.”
identity and purpose.
to other soldiers who come from dis- FIDF also assists wounded sol- his father raised crops and bought and Just as decades ago, Weil’s father
next 60 years of their lives.” advantaged backgrounds. diers through various platforms, and sold livestock. Weil’s father, while vis- encouraged and promoted support for
Weil cites two other educational FIDF assists soldiers in numerous supports widows, orphans and other iting his customers – most of whom the fledgling country of Israel, Steven
programs that FIDF sponsors as exam- ways – through education, financial family members of fallen IDF soldiers could quote Isaiah by heart – would Weil relishes the opportunity, as the
ples of the groundbreaking work that assistance and preparation for life after with camps in the U.S., retreats in Is- convince them to invest in Israel bonds, new head of FIDF, to create solutions
the organization is doing on behalf of the army. Weil lights up when speak- rael and major life-cycle celebrations. offering them an opportunity to play a that will transform Israeli society and
IDF soldiers and their communities. ing about FIDF’s “Dignity” program FIDF has centered many of its ac- role in building the dream of Zionism. the future of the Jewish people, one
One, called the “Formal Education” that provides soldiers in-need and their tivities around the growing population “I was a little kid sitting in the truck,” soldier at a time.
program, allows soldiers who were families with essential items such as of Lone Soldiers, with about 3,500 of he recalls. “We would deliver the Israel
previously unable to attain 12 years furniture, electrical appliances and them coming from 70 countries. FIDF
of education or a high school degree other living necessities. For those with provides them with housing, social Mazel tov wishes…again!
to pursue an educational equivalent severe financial difficulties, FIDF pro- gatherings, financial assistance, fun By Ed Rosenthal, Florikan Founder and Chairman
while performing military service. vides monetary assistance through spe- days, 24/7 call center and flights home
FIDF seeks to increase opportunities cial grants and vouchers. He explains to visit their families. s a NASA collaborator, I am During Jessica’s first spaceflight
for these soldiers to reenter civilian life that Dignity is much more than just a Steven Weil is confident that his proud to announce that Jessi- in 2019, she participated in the first
on an even footing with their peers. name. Soldiers with financial hard- message of providing transformative Aca Meir, an American Jewish all-women spacewalks with crewmate
A second initiative, entitled “Proj- ships are provided with assistance, dis- opportunities to build the future of Is- NASA astronaut, has been selected to Christina Koch, totaling 21 hours and
ect Overcome,” assists young Israeli creetly and privately. “Until now,” says rael and the Jewish people will reso- be part of Artemis, a U.S. government- 44 minutes. The crew contributed to
citizens who struggle with emotional Weil, “we have taken care of 8,000 nate with Jews throughout the United hundreds of experi-
problems, addictions, low self-esteem soldiers every year who are under the States. In the coming months, he plans ments on the Interna-
or lack of ambition, often exacerbated poverty line. This year, the army has to expand the FIDF message to philan- tional Space Station in
by poverty and criminal backgrounds. asked us to support more than 29,000 thropic foundations that support Israel, biology, Earth science,
These youths were traditionally not soldiers in-need. It’s a huge responsi- extend the support of existing donors human research, phys-
considered fit for service in the IDF bility. Soldiers are provided with gift to the next generation, and make sure ical sciences and tech-
and had few opportunities to gain suc- card vouchers for use at supermarkets. that FIDF’s work becomes a major part nology development.
cessful employment. Through Project When they return home from the army of the conversation of American Jew- Jessica also par-
Overcome, at-risk youth can reform for weekends, not only are they not a ry. “The IDF,” says Weil, “is the great ticipated in growing
their behavior and gain tools and life burden on their family, but they end up unifier of Jews from five continents, Mizuna mustard greens
skills relevant for army service and being able to buy food and supplies for 70 countries and multiple cultures and for the Space Plant Bi-
as professionals in the civilian mar- the family.” perspectives. We are funding that op- ology Veggie Program,
ket. The program, which takes place FIDF’s “Witnesses in Uniform” portunity to give the IDF the role of the using a controlled re-
during the course of their IDF service, program, through visits to the sites of great unifier within world Jewry.” Jessica Meir lease fertilizer which
offers them a clean slate, a chance to death camps in Poland with delega- Weil’s background makes him was developed by my
discover exciting new capabilities in tions comprised of career officers and uniquely qualified to be a unifier of funded international human spaceflight family-owned business, Florikan.
themselves, and a path to change their commanders, reserve soldiers, fam- support for Israel. His family was in program that has the goal of landing In total, Jessica spent 205 days in
future. “This program gives them the ily members of fallen soldiers and the cattle business in Germany for hun- the first woman and the next man on space, with 3,280 orbits of Earth and a
opportunity to have self-worth and Holocaust survivors, offers soldiers dreds of years, and his parents escaped the Moon, specifically at the lunar trip of 86.9 million miles.
continued on next page a firsthand look at the horrors of the from the Nazis to the United States in south pole region, by 2024. Mazel tov Jessica!
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