Some 40 Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) supporters gathered last month at an event hosted by Betsy and Ed Karotkin and Rabbi Ron Koas to welcome and meet with visiting Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Naval officers from Ashdod Naval Base. The officers were taking part in a joint project with the U.S. Army.
The event took place on the evening of November 3 at the Karotkin’s home. The Karotkins and Rabbi Ron Koas, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth El, welcomed enthusiastic congregants and fellow FIDF supporters who took the unique opportunity to meet with and learn from the visiting IDF Naval officers.
“I am happy that this meaningful and important event was able to take place here in Virginia Beach,” said Rabbi Koas. “We at the Tidewater Jewish community believe that this is the first of many partnerships with the FIDF to provide support for Israel’s amazing soldiers.”
“It’s not often that we get the opportunity to meet with IDF soldiers face-to-face here in Virginia and we are so grateful for the opportunity,” said Jasmine Amitay, FIDF associate director, Virginia Chapter. “I’d like to thank the Karotkins for their warm hospitality and their help to make this happen.”
To learn more about how to help impact more than 118,000 soldiers through education, welfare, construction, spiritual needs and more, contact Jasmine Amitay at Jasmine.Amitay@FIDF.org.
Photography by Jasmine Amitay: courtesy of FIDF.