The event was chaired by businessman and media mogul Haim Saban and his wife Cheryl and included a number of prominent Jewish names including Serge Azria, Robert Book, Robert K raft, Maurice and Paul Marciano and Casey Wasserman. Other celebrity guests in attendance included Julie Bowen, Gerard Butler, Robert De Niro, Joanna Krupa and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

IDF Sgt. Sapir Isaschar; IDF Master Sgt. Allison Bressand; Robert DeNiro; Larry King; Haim Saban; and Israeli Air Force (IAF) Cpl. Lianne Eaves at Thursday’s FIDF Western Region Gala.

“We are gratified to see that the FIDF’s important mission – to provide well-being and educational programs for the heroic men and women of the IDF – continues to resonate with the Los Angeles community,” Saban said.

Founded in 1981, the FIDF provides educational, cultural, recreational, and social programs and facilities to Israeli soldiers as well as supporting families of fallen soldiers and wounded veterans.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and head of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, made the single largest contribution of the night of $6 million.

“The commitment of Israel’s soldiers to protecting their country and her citizens is truly inspiring and remarkable,” Eckstein said. “It is incumbent upon us to stand by these brave soldiers and support them in whatever way we can, so they know how deep our commitment is to their well-being and their futures.”