Record $53.8 million raised for IDF soldiers at Beverly Hills gala

The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces raised $53.8 million at a Beverly Hills gala.

Some 1,200 people were in attendance at the annual event on Thursday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which raised what organizers said was a “record” amount for Israeli soldiers for such needed services as academic scholarships for combat veterans; financial assistance for soldiers in need; support for Lone Soldiers throughout their service and upon release; aid for wounded veterans and the families of fallen soldiers; weeks of rest and recuperation for entire IDF units, as well as educational, cultural, and recreational facilities.

The event was chaired by FIDF National Board member and major supporter Haim Saban and his wife, Cheryl.

The largest single gift in FIDF’s history was announced at the event as $16.6 million from Oracle co-founder, executive chairman and chief technology officer Larry Ellison. His donation will support the construction of well-being facilities on a new training campus for the IDF’s coed infantry units.

— JTA