Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid will attend and speak at the Friends of the IDF (FIDF) New York gala on Sept. 20.
The speech will be part of Lapid’s first visit to the United States since taking the top job on July 1.
More than 500 guests are expected at the organization’s first in-person gala since before the COVID-19 pandemic. All proceeds will go towards FIDF programs to support Israeli soldiers.
“It will be an honor to welcome Prime Minister Lapid to the FIDF National Gala in New York City next week where we will raise critical funds to support educational, financial, well-being and cultural initiatives for Israel’s soldiers,” said Peter Weintraub, FIDF national chairman, in a statement to JNS.
The event will also be Weintraub’s last as national chairman after announcing on July 31 that he was stepping down.
“It has been my great pleasure to stand in solidarity with the young men and women of the IDF over the last two decades as the future of Israel and the Jewish people rests on their shoulders,” he said.
Board president Fred Gluckman will take over Weintraub’s position.
