Projects

1. DIPLOMAS FOR COMBAT SOLDIERS In the framework of this unique project , the IDF allows soldiers from fighting units who lack one to three subjects for their high-school diplomas, to leave their units about three months prior to the end of their military service, so as to devote this period for the completion of their studies. The courses are held in a campus with dormitory facilities and the subjects studied in this project include — Mathematics, English and when needed, citizenship. Since the commencement of this project in the year 2000, fourteen semesters have been held; 3,600 soldiers,(including 98 Ethiopian immigrant soldiers), have completed their examinations successfully. This project"Diploma for Fighters"is of the utmost importance and opens the way for higher academic learning and a better opportunity for integration into the Israeli society. The Libi Fund has raised in Israel so far for this significant project about NIS 6,000,000 , which enabled the IDF to launch this educational program, opening up the possibility for our young fighting soldiers to attain a high- school diploma. The guiding premise of the Israel Defense Forces is that the quality of our army does not rest solely on the quality of its equipment, but more so on the quality of its soldiers. This is the reason that Tzahal accords such great importance to education. The IDF is ready to waive three months of military service , in order to give these youngsters the opportunity to obtain the necessary educational basis and open up for them the possibility of further academic achievements. It is also a way for us all to show our gratitude to these soldiers for giving three years of their youth in the service of their country, risking their lives in the defense of the State of Israel. The Libi Fund has undertaken to promote this significant project and turns to its Friends in Israel and abroad to assist the young combat soldiers of the IDF and contribute to this important cause.

2. PESACH SEDER for immigrant combat soldiers The Libi Fund has for the past three years sponsored a traditional Pesach Seder for new immigrant combat soldiers, who have no family or relatives in Israel. What began three years ago, initiated by the former Chief of the General Staff, Lt. General Shaul Mofaz, when hearing about the situation of these combat soldiers, who were not participating in the celebration of one of the most important and traditional of the Jewish Holidays, has now become a permanent project of the Libi Fund. The Friends of Libi in France financed the first Seder , held three years ago at a large hotel in Tel- Aviv, at which about 500 combat immigrant soldiers attended, many of them participating for the first time in a Pesach Seder. Following the enthusiastic response of the soldiers, the Libi Fund has since held two further Pesach Seders, which were financed by the generous donations received from the International Fellowship of Christian and Jews, founded and headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. The soldiers celebrated the Pesach Seder this year, in April 2004, together with the present Chief of the General Staff, Lt. General Moshe Yaalon, General Harrari, head of the Army's Education Corps and the Chief Rabbi of the IDF, General Weiss. The participation of these immigrant soldiers in a traditional Pesach Seder draws them closer to the Jewish faith, its history and its universal values, which have prevailed over the past three thousand years.

3. Donation of  $785,000 from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews for combat soldiers The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, announced a $785,000 donation to assist the Israel Defense Forces in addressing special welfare needs of combat soldiers. The funds will provide lone immigrant soldiers and other needy IDF combat soldiers with coupons to purchase food, clothing and other basic commodities. The economic crisis in Israel has seriously affected increasing numbers of families in Israel, many of whom have children serving in combat units in the IDF. Many soldiers find themselves serving while experiencing growing concern for financial difficulties at home. New immigrants soldiers without families in Israel are also hard-pressed financially during their army service. Thanks to the contribution of the Fellowship, each soldier will be entitled to receive up to $270 in coupons annually, which will be provided to him discreetly and based on level of need, by his commanders. With these coupons, he will be able to purchase food, clothing and other such basic items, thereby easing his burdens during military service. “We are moved by and grateful for the personal sacrifice, dedication and love these soldiers and their families display for Israel.” said Rabbi Eckstein. “It is heartwarming to know that our donors have once again opened their hearts to help the people of Israel in their time of need.”

4. Ambulance Donation -     From the NY Israel Security Fund & Mesora Two ambulances were recently dedicated (December 2002) to the IDF Medical Corps by the new York-based Israel Security Fund and Mesora.org. Funds for the ambulances were raised during a few week period prior to Yom HaAtmaut 2002 by a group of young New York Jews chaired by Howard Abarbanel (picture in the photo) along with jeffrey Katz and Marshall Gisser. Several hundred individuals contributed towards the grass-roots effort and funds were successfully raised through word-out-mouth and e-mail, without any formal events or major publicity.

5. Rehabilitation Center for the soldiers of the IDF The Libi Fund inaugurated on the 11th May 2003, the new and most modern rehabilitation center, located at the Tzriffin army base. Construction of the center was made possible by a bequest of the estate of the late Lieb Greenberg, through the Libi Fund. The center has Orthopedic and physiotherapy departments, a dental clinic, a facility for periodical examinations and a noise and hearing testing facility. The center will provide soldiers of the IDF with the most advanced and up-to-date treatment, given by the health most qualified medical personnel.

6. The Friends of Libi in France donated 3 Ambulances At an impressive ceremony held at the Tziriffin Army Base in May 2003, and in the presence of the head of the IDF Medical Corps, General Martonoviz and the Chairman of the Libi Fund, General (Res.) Danny Matt, 3 Ambulances were handed over to the IDF, for the use of combat Units. The funds for the financing of these three Ambulances were raised at a special Fund-raising Dinner held in Paris, organized by the friends of Libi in France, headed by Mrs. Gladys Tibi.

7. IDF to help soldiers learn better English Soldiers struggling with their English are set to get extra help from the latest in language lab technology with the opening of a new language center at their base. The lab has been inaugurated at the Tzrifin army base near Rishon Lezion. The project was sponsored by the Histadrut which donated NIS 200,000 for the laboratory. "We all know that Israelis have problems with English in high school," said Major General (Res.) Danny Matt, chairman of the Libi Fund. "As the second language in the world of higher education and technology, proficiency in English is very important and we want to encourage the soldiers to improve in the language."

8. Soldiers guarding citizens in the north receive fitness room A fitness room to serve the soldiers of the Northern Command recently opened. The fitness room was made by contributions from leading retailers in Israel. The soldiers of the Northern Command are guarding the citizens of the Upper Galilee and along the Lebanese border.

9. A 'Joint effort' donates books to IDF soldiers in the Hermon Steimatzky, the largest chain of book stores in Israel, in cooperation with Libi, handed out thousands of books to soldiers at army bases on Mt. Hermon which is on the northern edge of the Golan Heights. Mt. Hermon is the highest mountain in Israel and overlooks the northern parts of Israel as well as South Lebanon and the road to Damascus in Syria. The books were donated to the IDF libraries in various army units for the soldiers to enjoy a calm recreation after their regular activites.

10. Libi Launches Two Mobile Educational Units The Libi Fund played an important role in a recent ceremony at an IDF Education Corps base in central Israel, marking the launching of two mobile educational units. The units were funded by the late Mr. Galli Patel, through Libi, for the benefit of the Education Corps. The mobile educational units will circulate among forward positions along the Lebaneese border, in Judea and Samaria, and Gaza, providing special activities to soldiers in operational units. Some of these activities include road safety seminars, communications, movies, Islamic studies and more. The soldiers will enjoy both educational and entertainment activities, providing essential breaks from the normal, taxing routine.

11. Research into Skin Substitute for the Treatment of Burn Victims The Libi Fund is supporting a major project researching biological skin substitutes to be used in the treatment of severe burn victims. The research started recently in conjunction with the national skin bank at the Experimental Surgery Department of Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem. The research, which is planned to continue for five years, will be funded by Libi and by bequests specifically earmarked for this purpose. It will explore the feasibility of combining part of the skin in the national skin bank with tissue cultures taken from the burn patients. The combination of dermis (from the skin bank) with the epidermis (from the patient) will perhaps provide a permanent skin substitute for severely burned patients.

12. Libi Funds Donates Eleven Ambulances to IDF Thanks to Major Bequest Chief Medical Officer Major-General Arieh Eldar thanking Major-General (res.) Danny Matt. Chief Medical Officer Major-General Arieh Eldar thanking Major-General (res.) Danny Matt. An impressive ceremony was held at the headquarters of the IDF Chief Medical Officer, Brigadier General Dr. Arieh Eldar, during which the Chairman of the Libi Fund, Major-General (res.) Danny Matt, handed over eleven ambulances purchased through the Libi Fund for the transportation of disabled soldiers. The vehicles will serve members of the IDF at command bases across the country. They were donated through the legacy of the late Mr. Henry Motek, who bequeathed his estate to the Libi Fund for the benefit of the Army Medical Corps.

13. Mobile Intensive-Care Unit Purchased Through Libi Chief Medical Officer Major-General Arieh Eldar at the ceremony with members of the Markus family. At a recent ceremony, the Marcus family, together with the Libi Fund, donated the first IDF mobile intensive-care unit. According to the Chief Medical Officer, the conditions created along the confrontation lines and in Judea and Samaria make it essential to have a mobile intensive care unit close at hand. The IDF will continue to depend on Magen David Adom's intensive care services, but the new mobile unit will add a new dimension to the efficiency of the Medical Corps, and will help reduce the dependency on civilian services. The Libi Fund recognizes the great importance of the Medical Corps' life-saving work, and makes enormous efforts to help achieve their goals. The mobile intensive care unit is an example of such aid.

14. Libi Fund Donates NIS 5.2 Million to Set Up a Military Medical Center near Beer-Sheva for the soldiers of the southern command Until a relatively short time ago, Army Medical Corps base of the Southern Command served hundreds of patients in a group of old and dilapidated huts. The Libi Fund has recently raised enough money to build a modern facility in their place. Since the construction of this new building, the number of treatments provided at the base has almost doubled. This building, costing NIS 5.2 million, is only the first stage in the construction of an extensive Medical Corps Center. The second stage, now being planned, will include a new and modern hospitalization unit as well as a first-class dental clinic. The cost has been estimated at NIS 11 million, made possible by a NIS 5.5 million bequest from the late brothers Rachmil and Moszek Rubman through Libi. The inauguration of the center took place in April 2000. "Libi's contribution to the Center, and to IDF medical care in general, is of utmost importance." stated Major Zohar Levy, commander of the clinic.

15. The Estherina Giron School of Hebrew Studies for Immigrants is Opened An opening ceremony was recently held for The Estherina Giron School of Hebrew Studies for Immigrants at the Central Base for Education in Galilee. The school was instituted with the purpose of teaching Hebrew language skills to new immigrants in the IDF. The construction of the school was made possible through the generosity of the late Estherina Giron who donated one and a half million dollars to the cause.

16. Sela Institute awards students In May, the Sela Institute held an awards ceremony at which 26 scholarships were distributed, through the Libi Fund, to 26 recently discharged soldiers for studying software development. In the framework of the Libitrom '99 fundraising campaign, the Sela Institute donated 150 scholarships to soldiers who want to study software development. The awards are worth NIS 3.5 million.