FIDF Event Features Grit, Music and Inspiration

The annual Friends of Israel Defense Forces’ Legends & Heroes Event returned to City Springs with emotional photos and songs on Monday, Dec. 8. The evening showcased local leaders like Ben Levy and Garry Sobel, along with dramatic features like war photographer Oren Cohen, singer and guitarist Noam Buskila, and a high level IDF brigadier general, who has to remain unidentified due to his next chapter of imminent reenlistment.

Local attorney Levy fired up the group by recollecting the events of Oct. 7 in the importance of standing by and appreciating the IDF soldiers. He stated, “We cannot take security for granted, and dozens of Atlanta’s Lone Soldiers have served. The IDF is our first line of defense … think of radical groups like Iran building and rebuilding nuclear capabilities.”

He recalled local Lone Soldier Rose Lubin who lost her young life in the line of duty.

Sobel, who has been an FIDF national board member for 12 years, spoke next about the heavy stresses remaining since Oct. 7, and how “Never Again” rings true in victories like Operation Rising Lion, where the IDF maintained total air supremacy over Iran, and the larger mission of “saving the free world.”

He concluded, “After the massacre at Nova, we made a pledge – a simple, defiant promise: “we will dance again. Because of the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers, our hostages are home; and tonight gives us a moment to fulfill that pledge, to breathe, and yes – to smile again.”

Next up was a spellbinding IDF general with decades of experience in working with both the U.S. and Israel military in various high level attaché positions, in addition to senior commander in the cockpit.

He said, “Post-Oct. 7, we worked shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers. At first, it was total chaos … urgent discussions by the hour … ultimately, now we are left with psychological trauma where the FIDF provides life changing tools. We don’t take pride in fighting … after all, I have sons … and now I’m called back for another mission.”

FIDF supporter Rachel Goldschein told the AJT that she was looking forward to hearing guitarist Noam Buskila, known as the “Ricky Martin of Israel.” Dimpled and charismatic, he performed an inspirational “Mishibarah,” “Hatikvah,” and “Am Yisrael Chai,” where audience members were brought to their feet with emotion.

The final speaker was Oren Cohen, the official war photographer who spent 460 days in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea, and Samaria, in terror tunnels, on the sea, and in the air to document real events in an unfiltered way, so no one will forget the faces of the brave soldiers. He spoke of the Sheba Project where the FIDF supports victims of PTSD. Cohen, who also previously served as a medic in the IDF, showed a photograph of soldiers escorting traumatized children who were visibly not able to trust or hug back.

He said, “Here’s a photo of this soldier, Greenberg, who was subsequently killed … just think, the tunnels were 24 feet deep and 50 feet long, going on for three miles, dark with no air … soldiers who could evacuate did not wait for helicopters.”

Cohen shared how he purposefully featured female soldiers on his book’s cover because some feel that women should not be sent to the front line … as Israel did for the first time in this war. Another compelling photo showed canine war heroes laying by the graves of their fallen soldiers alongside roses. Another emotive photo featured a war widow introducing her newborn to its late father on the gravesite. Cohen concluded, “Oct. 7 was the miracle that united us. No one can break us.”

After the event Cohen signed his book, “6:29 October 7th,” in the lobby.

Jen Scher, vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Region FIDF, told the AJT, “The Legends & Heroes event was a truly meaningful opportunity to share our gratitude with our devoted donors. Our incredible speakers inspired us all, while Noam Buskila’s beautiful music elevated the entire evening with joy and emotion. Oren Cohen’s powerful photographs added another unforgettable dimension, capturing our living history and reminding us why this community’s support matters so deeply.”