SUPPORTING IDF SOLDIERS EDUCATION
Reports, articles, letters, photos about the IDF soldiers and our support for them.
| To RJCF from the IDF Alexandroni Unit | |
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| The wounded soldier sewing project | |
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| Sending Purim Gifts to Wounded Soldiers | |
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| Helping IDF soldiers | |
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RJCF sent various essentials to the IDF soldiers and reservist across
Golani, Nahal, Givati, and Special Forces units Watch a short video - the snipers of the IDF Gilani Brigade thank RJCF and its supporters. Support Israel | |
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| Projects of the RJCF Stand With Israel Fund | |
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RJCF Stand With Israel Fund awarded grants to the following projects:   
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Anna Karol (Summer 2020) | |
 Dear Friends at Zionist House & RJCF, How are you? I hope that you and your family are fine, and that you are managing to go through this hard time. My family and I are feeling good these days. When we were celebrating "Passover" the Virus did not make it easy. The situation is difficult and unclear, but we must keep our strength in the best way possible. Lately, I haven't done any army reserve duty (which is usually during September-October) because I got an exemption from it. Instead, I'm volunteering to do it through "Magen David Adom" – the Israeli first aid organization. I volunteer once a month and drive with the ambulance while providing first aid to anyone who needs it. School is going well, even better than I thought. I improved my grades (since last year) and I'm really glad about it. We were supposed to start our clinical experiences as nurses in the hospital after Passover, but ... | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Ruslan Radinovski (Summer 2020) | |
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This is my second time writing to you, it's an honor for me to write these letters every time. So, all the world is fighting the COVID19 and me too. It's almost about 2 months that we stay home, all our life has been changed since this pandemic. I started the spring semester and after a week the academy closes the doors because of the situation and after a week we started to learn online in Zoom. It's very challenging for me and all my friends, but we fight together. I almost finishing my 3rd year in Mechanical Engineering and now because of this situation, we build our projects online. | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Evgeni Lukovski (Summer 2020) | |
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The next school year has passed. Time flies very quickly. This time, I do not have as many changes in my life as it was in the previous year. I study at the same "Sapir" college, I work in the same place as before in the "Sokhnut" absorption center as a security guard. As for study, this year was the most successful in terms of grades! I am very glad that every year my grades are getting better and better. I am studying industrial management and six months ago we had to choose one of 4 management tracks: information systems, production, biotechnology or agriculture. I chose the biotechnology, because is the most interesting direction for me, although it's not the most popular. Most of all I liked the laboratory work in chemistry and biology. I really liked to study microorganisms and observe various chemical reactions. | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Oksana Karimov (Summer 2019) | |
 Dear Friends at Zionist House and RJCF,
I would like to thank you for all your support and assistance in the Impact scholarship.
During the semester break I gave birth to a daughter and we named her Romi, She is a wonderful and charming baby girl, which caused me many difficulties in organizing my time, since my nights are sleepless and in the day time I prefer to invest in my academic duties. At the end of the school year I will receive my degree and hope to find a special education class and to have as much influence as possible on the population and future students.
I volunteered to accompany another woman with difficulty in vision, with whom I was less connected mainly because she works late and we did not find time to meet. This was not fair on my part, to prevent her from receiving help from a volunteer who can give her quality time and it was a hard decision to give up the Impact Scholarship...
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: George Zeldkin (Summer 2019) | |
 Dear Friends at Zionist House and RJCF,
Hello my dear friends!
Before I started writing the last letter, I had decided to read again the first one. So many things had happened during this period, that on one hand seems as if it passed so quickly but on the other hand was filled with amazing landmarks!
During this time, I moved in with my partner, got married, worked and studied at the same time, developed a new hobby of photography, almost finished my degree and thank god, we are now expecting our first child!
School was very interesting. I am so happy that I had the chance to do this degree since it had taught me a lot, expanded my horizon and provided me with deeper perspective. During the end I started feeling the difficulty and it all became harder. But I believe that dealing with challenges and overcoming them makes us stronger. As for now, I have one more paper to finish and several courses...
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Evgeniy Lukovskiy (Summer 2018) | |
 Dear Donors at Zionist House and RJCF,Half a year has passed since my last letter. Unfortunately, it has been one of the most unpleasant and hardest periods of my life. Changes happened first in my personal life, which consequently negatively influenced my studying. Notwithstanding this difficult period of time, I gathered strength and passed half of my exams good enough, for I devoted lots of time to get prepared to them, so proving myself that even in such an uneasy time I was able to cope with myself and get myself to study. I hope very much that in the forthcoming half a year my life will start changing for the better, and start to work on myself, so this fall I’ll be able to proceed with my studies with new energy, for it is so important for me and my future. Soon, my mother, for the first time in 7 years, will visit me for two weeks. I hope she will like it here and possibly she’ll agree to make Aliyah in couple of years too. | |
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| Letter from our soldier: George Zeldkin (Summer 2018) | |
| Dear Donors at Zionist House and RJCF, My second year of university is coming to an end and I have finished more than half until graduation. This period is challenging and rewarding, but it also provides difficulties to deal with. I have found out that this period teaches me not only the material presented in class but also how to be more responsible, creative and determined. I learn how to cope with mistakes and the challenges of life and find ways to deal with them and succeed. | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Oksana Karimov (Summer 2018) | |
 Dear Donors at Zionist House and RJCF,It was a few months since my last letter to you, the time has gone really fast for me. First of all, I can say that I passed all my exams successfully in the first semester of the year, and this is my last semester. Unfortunately next year I will have to do a final work in one of the subjects of the title. With each successful semester, I realize that more and more every time how vital the support I get through IMPACT is for me... At the “ALEH” program in which I take part as part of the IMPACT scholarship, I'm helping an older. | |
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| Surprise presents for Purim to IDF soldiers from RJCF | |
 Last week, in preparation for Purim, Chayal el Chayal staff put together gift packages and traveled to multiple bases to distribute these gifts to soldiers.RJCF donated money to help treat 100 IDF soldiers to gift baskets in celebration of Purim, making them all happy and smiling. | |
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| Thank you from IDF Lone Soldiers (Videos) | |
 Dear RJCF,
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you! With your generous donation we were able to keep 100 soldiers warm this winter! Because of you, the IDF Lone Soldiers received vital and top of the line winter fleeces! On behalf of all 100 Lone Soldiers, thank you! WATCH THE TESTIMONIALS FROM THE SOLDIERS! | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Evgeniy Lukovskiy (Winter 2017) | |
 Dear Donors,My name is Evgeniy Lukovskiy, I’m 25, now I am studying my second year of academic degree. ... On October 30th 2011, I enlisted to the IDF. First three weeks I was on the sorting base for "olim hadashim" in "Michvei Alon". That’s where I found my first army friends. After three weeks of hesitation, I decided to continue my service in "Kfir" - the youngest military squad which mainly covers the towns and villages of Judea and Samaria, defending the Jewish settlements. ... I want to thank you for your selfless help, for your generosity, by which you not only helping us to reach our ambitions, but also demonstrating the brilliant illustration of how important it is to help other people! I hope that your family and community “Impact” will succeed even more this year... | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Oksana Karimov (Winter 2017) | |
| Dear Donors, It's been several months since my last letter to you, and a lot has happened in this period. First of all, I finished my fourth semester of my degree, out of 6. Currently, I have passed all my exams so I started my third and last year without academic duties. With the financial support I receive from you through IMPACT, it is easier for me to concentrate on my studies. ... This year as part of my studies, I teach twice a week in grade 2 elementary school. As part of the experience, I teach arithmetic and verbal problems... | |
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| The Lone Soldiers’ Home – Chayal El Chayal | |
 Every year, hundreds of young men and women come to Israel from around the world to serve in the IDF, risking their own lives to protect the lives of the Jewish nation. RJCF is partnering with Chayal el Chayal’s to provide a warm and welcoming home for these Lone Soldiers. A family that provides an invaluable framework of assistance in the physical, spiritual and emotional aspects of their daily lives. They stand in front to protect the Jewish nation, we stand behind them!
Donate $180 to provide a solder a well needed winter gear. Donate a portion of it. Any amount counts. | |
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| Our IDF Soldiers from 2006 to 2017 | |
 RJCF supports high education for the former combat soldiers of Israel Defense Forces (IDF), who cannot afford it otherwise. We started this program in 2007 and since then helped 12 ex IDF soldiers. Please read their letters on the RJCF's Supporting IDF Soldiers page. Here is the quote from the first letter we received in 2008: “When I was released from the Army, I didn't know what to do with my life: I wanted to study but I didn't have any money. My Father was handicapped and he couldn't help me. Then, I discovered the scholarship program offered to demobilized soldiers who served in Combat-Units. It gave me the hope to be able to make a change in my life. I thank you for your support. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!” | |
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| Letter from our soldier: Oksana Karimov (Summer 2017) | |
| Dear Donors, It's been a few months since my last letter to you, and those month passed really fast for me. First of all, I can say that I successfully passed all my exams in the first semester of this year, so I left only 3 semesters to the end of the degree. With each successful semester, I understand it more and more each time how crucial the support that I receive from via IMPACT. At the "ALEH" program in which I take part as part of IMPACT scholarship, ... | |
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| Letter from our soldier: George Zeldkin (Summer 2017) | |
| Dear Donors, It's been six months since I started learning. During the first semester I realized how much I like the area of my studies and the semester went by really fast! During this semester I had six cources, including Introduction to The Middle East, Hate of Israel and Anti-Semitism, Law and enforcement, research methods, Basic computer use and English for advanced learners. Because most of the courses were fascinating to me, my grades were fairly high: ... | |
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| Letter from our soldier: Evgeny Buzilo (Summer 2017) | |
 Dear Donors,It's been some months since last time I wrote you. I hope you and your families are fine and you are also healthy. In July I hope I will finish the 4th year of my studying. This year is harder than the previous years. My courses are more dificult and it demands a lot work. Besides I have started to do my final project. In my project I have to plan and construct seventh apartment building. | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Oksana Karimov (Winter 2016) | |
| Dear Donors, It's been a few months already since my last letter to you, and much has happened during this period of time. First of all, I finished the 2nd semester of my degree, out of 8. As of now, I passed all my exams so I can start my 2nd year without any academic debts. With the financial support that I receive from you via IMPACT it is easier for me to concentrate on my studies. In the "CPM", which I take part as part of the IMPACT! Scholarship, I am helping two children, Leal 7 years and 4 year old David, whose mother is blind. I read them stories, take them to activities in the afternoon. Leal this year started first grade and I get to be the one to help her with ... | |
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| Letter from our soldier: George Zeldkin (Winter 2016) | |
| Dear Donors, My name is George Zeldkin. I am 26 years old and I live in the Northern city Karmiel, with my girlfriend Yana. I am in good relations with my parents, Anna and Yigal, and I have a little sister named Tali, who is now a 12th grade student and will join the army afterwards. In the following months, I would like to propose to my girlfriend, thus besides working and studying, I also have to plan this complex wedding proposal operation. Let me tell you about myself: I made Aliya with my family from the former USSR ... | |
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| Letter from our soldier: Evgeny Buzilo (Winter 2016) | |
| Dear Donors,
It’s been a couple of months since last time I wrote you. I hope you and your families are fine and you are also healthy. In July I finished the third year. I think this year was harder than the previous year. The courses were full of the special technical material because of that it was more difficult to learn and it took me a lot of time to learn and understand these subjects. This summer it was the first time that I had my summer holidays. During the holidays I worked and had a rest and prepared for my next studying year. | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Nikolay Starkov (Summer 2016) | |
 Dear Russian Jewish Community Foundation,It is the final year of my degree in Graphic Design. In the last four years I have learned about interesting fields like: Typography, digital arts and advertising. It is hard to believe school is almost over... I would like to thank you very much for supporting me through the last four years, helping me in achieving my degree. Without your help it wouldn't have been possible... | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Oksana Karimov (Summer 2016) | |
| Dear Russian Jewish Community Foundation, My name is Oksana Karimov, I am 23 years old and right now I'm in my second semester of my studies in the Gordon College of Education, which is located in Haifa. Right now, I'm at the end of the first year of my degree, out of 4, BA in Education and Teaching B.Ed. After undergoing preparatory academic average of 93. With the financial support that I receive from you via IMPACT it is easier for me to concentrate on my studies. ... thank you very much for all of your help! It makes me optimistic to know that there are people like you, who are willing to help in such a tremendous way... | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Evgeny Buzilo (Summer 2016) | |
| Dear Russian Jewish Community Foundation, It’s been a couple of months since the last time I wrote you. I hope you and your families are fine and you are also healthy. In July I will finish the third year. I think this year was harder than the previous year. The courses were full of specialized technical material, and because of that it was more difficult to learn and it took me a lot of time to learn and understand these subjects... In closing, I would like to tell you how grateful I am for your financial support. You can't imagine how it helps me. It is easier for me to concentrate on my studies. I want to thank you very much for the scholarship that I receive. | |
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Nikolay Starkov (Winter 2015) | |
 Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation,
The holiday season has passed and now we are getting back to our regular routine and studies.
Now I am beginning the 5th semester of my degree, out of eight. I am excited about my last year and hope to succeed in the upcoming final projects.
I am attending a new postproduction class and I am learning about the making of commercials business. The course provides practical skills that could help me in the future.
I am still volunteering In the “lattet” program, giving a hand and help providing groceries and goods to the elderly and people in need.
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Oksana Karimov (Winter 2015) | |
| Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation,
My name is Oksana Karimov. I am 23 years old. Right now I'm in my First year of my studies in the Gordon College of Education, that is Located in Haifa. I live in Nahariya with my mother and my sister. My sister now is 19 years old and she is serving in the army. Originally I was born in Soviet Union and when I was 2 years old, my family immigrated to Israel. I was drafted to the IDF in 2011 and served the in Air Force until 2013. I served as an Armament systems technician in a Fighter Squadron called "The Hammers". It’s an F-15i Thunder fighter jet. My job was to take care of everything that somehow related to the armament of this jet: check the plane before the flight, after the flight, and many other things... | |
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| Letter from our IFD soldier: Evgeny Buzilo (Winter 2015) | |
 Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation,
It's been a couple of months since last time I wrote you. I hope you and your families are fine and you are also healthy.
In October I started the third year after a long summer vacation even that it wasn't a totally vacation because I took three courses. Two of them were replaced to this year because of the hard military position that was last year and I also took one course in order to make my brain busy and also allow me to do one less course in the first semester of the third year. My average now 80. I try to do my best in order to raise it or at least to keep it in this level. It isn't simple because the courses become more difficult according to the last year.
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| IDF Soldiers: Thank You! | |
 Dear Russian-Jewish friends of Boston — Shalom!
My name is Gabriel Samberg; I am 21 years old, from Jerusalem, and an officer of an intelligence combat unit in Israel’s Defense Forces. The soldiers under my command have recently become beneficiaries of your generous gift, which allowed us to procure essential outdoor gear.
Before anything else, I must admit: I simply don’t know how to express my respect and tremendous gratitude for your help and extraordinary support. In my eyes, and in the eyes of my soldiers, your willingness to help is something out of the ordinary, and we value it tremendously.
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| APPEAL: HELP THE WOUNDED IDF SOLDIERS | |
 Russian Jewish Community Foundation has decided to donate money to help soldiers wounded during Israel's Operation Protective Edge.
Money raised will be used for rehabilitation programs to deal with effects of life changing injuries and post-traumatic treatment.
Please Donate to RJCF Support IDF Fund so that we can all help Israel's wounded soldiers who fight for Israel and for us.
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Nikolay Starkov (Summer, 2014) | |
| Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation
It's been six months already since my last letter to you, and much have happened during this period of time.
So, this is my 3rd semester of my degree, out of 8. As of now, my average stands at 91.4 but I still have a few exams a head, and hopefully it will stay at that level. The studies are quite hard but going well, thanks to the support that I receive from you guy's, it is easier for me to keep concentrate on my studies. Without it, I would not be able to keep my average above the 90's.
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: Emil Isakov (Summer 2014) | |
 Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation,
It's been six months already since my last letter to you, and much have happened during this period of time. My name is Emil Isakov, I am 27 years old and I am a Mechanic-Engineering student at Ort-Brauda collage in the city of Carmiel.
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| Letter from our IDF soldier, Michael Zemelman | |
 Dear Russian Jewish Community Foundation,
First, I want to thank you so much for the assistance you give me funding my B.A studies in business administration majoring in accounting.
It's been six months already since my last letter to you, and much have happened during this period of time.
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| Israel Army Combat Veterans Take Their First Crucial Steps Toward Achieving Their Life’s Dreams! | |
 RJCF continues its ongoing commitment to the Friends Of Israel Defense Forces "Impact" project. Friends of IDF motto is - "Their job is to look after Israel. Ours is to look after them." RJCF looks after these soldiers by funding scholarships to three former combat soldiers who otherwise cannot afford a higher education. This scholarship is matched by Zionist House and over the years has helped numerous soldiers complete their college education. Please read the letters from our soldiers and please donate to help us continue to support these brave men protecting Israel!
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| Letter from our IDF soldier, Michael Zemelman | |
| December, 2013
Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation.
My name is Michael Zemelman, I'm 25 years old, I was born on 11.23.1988 in the city of Chernovtsi, Ukraine in the Soviet Union. I immigrated to Israel on 05/01/1991 at the age of two and a half. When we land in Israel we moved into community that called Bney Ayish (located in the south of Israel). At the age of 8 I began
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| Letter from our IDF soldier, Nikolay Starkov | |
 Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation
My Name is Nikolay Starkov I am 26 year old, and now starting my first year in academic world.
I was born in Ukraine, and made “alia” with my mother and uncle in 1993. I am the eldest brother in the family, my younger brother name is Itzik from my mother's second marriage.
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| Letter from our IDF soldier, Emil Isakov | |
 Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation.
It's been six months already since my last letter to you, and much have happened during this period of time.
My name is Emil Isakov, I am 27 years old and I am a Mechanic-Engineering student at Ort-Brauda collage in the city of Carmiel.
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| Letter from our IDF soldier: David Pilavin (2008) | |
 Here is a quote from the letter sent to RJCF by David Pilavin, a former combat soldier in the Israeli Army whose college tuition are paid by the RJCF and the Zionist House:
“When I was released from the Army, I didn't know what to do with my life: I wanted to study but I didn't have any money. My Father was handicapped and he couldn't help me. Then, I discovered the scholarship program offered to demobilized soldiers who served in Combat-Units. It gave me the hope to be able to make a change in my life. I thank you for your support. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!” | |
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