Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Donating To Israeli Charities

I get a lot of emails from this blog. My personal gmail account is posted on my profile, which is actually pretty stupid of me in terms of the chance to get "spam-bombed," but I really like to have feedback. I can't even begin to tell you how many 17-25 year old people write me asking advice about the army, and Israel in general. Some people write simply to express appreciation for the blog, noting especially how little time I have to write it (about a few days a month, literally). I also get emails asking me about my personal opinions on relevant topics and news items. Supposedly my opinion counts?

Bottom line, I get a lot of emails. Recently, however, I had a very cool email from a teacher in America in response to my Foot Patrol post. With her permission, I am reprinting it here:

Shavua tov.
Can't remember how or when I first surfed to your blog, but I've been following it ever since. You always write very well, but this post in particular is magniv. I teach 4th grade religious school. Our new curriculum this year is Israel. I have decided that all of our tzedakah will go to Israeli charities. If you send me the name of your favorite charity, I will send our next $36 to it, in your honor. So far this year, we have raised money for Birthday Angels and Yad L'kashish, and our next project is Warm the Needy. If you don't have a favorite, we will send to PizzaIDF. Please let me know.



I recommended that her class donate their charity (tzedaka) to Friends of the IDF (FIDF), but specifically to the Wounded Soldiers Program. Any soldier who opens his eyes and sees their symbol, and specifically lone soldiers like me (chayal boded), will know that they really generate absurd amounts of money for the IDF and her soldiers. My battalion even had an entire week at an army resort in Ashkelon a couple months ago, replete with amazing food and ammentities - all funded by FIDF donors (actually, Haim Saban himself).

Now, I know I'm no fundraiser. But if you are feeling charitable, I have some ideas for good places to donate. Below is a list of IDF-specific organizations that support Israel's holy warriors (always wanted to say that):


Friends of the IDF (FIDF)

A Package From Home --- Their website is kinda lame, but trust me, I've heard good things about them!

The Libi Fund --- I see their logo everywhere in the army, also.

Yashar LaChayal --- These guys are great. They gave us Camelbak-style hydration packs at that resort I mentioned, and I even did a short video clip with my unit behind me cheering. I was thanking them in English. It was pretty awkward for me! Anyway, if you do donate to them, I personally hope you send money to the injured soldiers department.

One Family Fund --- This is actually a charity to support Israeli victims of terror. So, it's not directly for soldiers, but I suppose it's related. I included it because a good friend of mine is apparently a fan of it, according to the Fund's website. Also, I live really close to one of their buildings. Just another option for you!


In terms of all those pizza for IDF soldiers charities, I'm not going to endorse them. I haven't heard anything bad about them, or anything like that. It's just that I looked at their prices for donation, and it was a little ridiculous. 1 pizza and 1 soda for like $26 dollars? Why? A pizza in Sderot, which would be the place they'd bring Gaza-operating forces, probably costs like 45 shekels ($12). And the same for other operating areas in the West Bank. I just don't have experience with them, and the price is so high, that I can't really say anything! Sorry!

Anyway. If you want to donate, don't think any amount is too small! $10 here and there adds up!

8 comments:

CanMan said...

Pizza in Sderot cost about 42 shekels and its pizza+soda+garlic bread and shit usually.. lol pizza for idf sounds like they try to gain salaries for their employees..

Bonapetite Danny! :D

nmf #7 said...

Thanks so much for giving your take- it's nice to hear from someone who actually benefits as to which charities are worthwhile donations.

Anonymous said...

hey, greatest blog!
im enlisting and i was wondering a couple questions.
how hard is it to get into saayeret yahalom?-what do i have to do to get in? is it impossible for an american oleh?
Also i hear there is an Atuda program where the IDF puts a soldier through medical school in exchange for a 5 year commitment after...how hard is it to get into that, if you know?

lastly, not that it matters but, does the IDF care about any prior college experience or take that into consideration when placing into a unit?

if you have the time please let me know.

CanMan said...

Annonymous if you studied something in college and would like to put it in use in the IDF talk with them about it and ask if you can use your knowledge and studies in your service (like atuda) as for atuda.. ask them about it aswell but basiclly you need to finish high school (ofcourse) and after tzav rishon (after you get medical profile and quality grade) you can go to the tests for atuda (its hard for me to explain in englsih.. again contact IDF and they will help you!!)

as for sayeret yahalom you can get there it dsnt matter if you are american or not.. but like all sayarot/SF units you need to do a gibush.. some people from flight school or navy get there.. (people who "fall" from those courses or didnt get in to or somethin like it)

or!! you go to the combat engeniring corps.. and then the top soldiers go to 5 days gibush and the best in that gibush (or tests) get in to yahalom.. anyways.. good luck :D

Israeli by Day said...

I don't know about getting into yahalom itself, but I believe it is a part of yom sayerot - the gibush for the very top elite units (sayeret matkal, 669, shayetet, shaldag, hovlim, etc). I know of an american in shayetet who simply doesn't know hebrew at all, so none of that matters. If you've got the mind and body to do one of those units, they want you.

the sabra said...

StandingTogether is an amazing organization who may "charge" lots for their donuts or cups of coffee, but they are definitely not making money off their supporters. I've volunteered for them in the past and seen first hand the expenses that go into their "missions".

Chabad with Terror Victims is another very worthy organization that I've volunteered with.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to recommend the ISRAEL's WAR HISTORY movie. It's now available for download and is very recommended!It's a 2 hour movie that describes the Israeli history in a beautiful way.
Take a look at

http://www.972films.com/israels-war-history/

by the way It can be purchased as DVD as well on the same site or at Amazon too.
Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to recommend the ISRAEL's WAR HISTORY movie. It's now available for download and is very recommended!It's a 2 hour movie that describes the Israeli history in a beautiful way.
Take a look at

http://www.972films.com/israels-war-history/

by the way It can be purchased as DVD as well on the same site or at Amazon too.
Enjoy!