An introduction to real FIDF

To the editor:

(re: “Peeling back layers of free speech,” Feb. 6)

In a letter about the firing of a teacher by the Fieldston School that is, at least in part, a response to my own letter, Emmaia Gelman raises the irrelevant point that I am employed by the nonprofit charity Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

I am proud to work for FIDF (and grateful to the many people in Riverdale who contribute to it), as I am proud of my own combat service in the Israel Defense Forces.

However, because Gelman misrepresented what FIDF is and does, I feel obligated to set the record straight.

FIDF is an American public charity. It does not fund military activities, and does not lobby. It raises money from generous Americans for individuals — particularly those in poverty or distress — who are serving or recently served in the Israel Defense Forces. Since military service is a universal obligation in Israel, as it is in many countries, FIDF benefits a wide range of people.

Among the things FIDF funds are college scholarships for low-income students, programs to help Israel Defense Forces veterans integrate into civilian life after their service, rehabilitation for wounded veterans, and support for families who have lost a loved one in military service.

Readers are invited to visit FIDF.org to learn what FIDF is  all about.

Ron Wegsman

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