At nearly 100 years old, Leo David still has the presence and energy of a man who has no intention of slowing down. When he took the stage Thursday evening at the Fairmont Hotel in Century City, the audience at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Los Angeles Gala had the opportunity to honor not only the organization’s founder in the Western Region, but a man whose own life story is intertwined with the history of Israel.
The evening’s tribute began with Simon Etehad, president of FIDF’s Western Region, recognizing the man he described as his mentor and dear friend. “Leo, I want to take a moment to recognize all that you have done for this organization and our soldiers,” Etehad said. “The work we do today is part of your legacy, and I am proud to be among those carrying it forward.”
Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan, CEO of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, presented David with the Pillar of Israel Award, recognizing his longstanding commitment to the organization.
A short film screened during the evening traced David’s remarkable journey, from his childhood in Düsseldorf to his family’s decision to flee Nazi Germany in 1933, first to the Netherlands and then to Palestine in 1934. It also recounted his decision, at just 16, to join the Palmach, the elite fighting force of the Haganah. He later switched to Lehi, also known as the Stern Gang, a Jewish underground organization that fought British rule in Mandatory Palestine before the establishment of Israel.
His life would take him through several more chapters: building a diamond business in Israel, moving to New York, settling in Los Angeles with his wife Ruth in 1959 and becoming a successful businessman and homebuilder.
In 1981, David formally founded FIDF’s Western Region, laying the foundation for an organization that would grow into a major source of support for Israeli soldiers and their families.
Throughout the years, David has donated millions of dollars to numerous causes, but FIDF has always held a particularly special place in his heart. His commitment was evident once again on Thursday night. Of the $31 million raised at the gala, David contributed an extraordinary $13 million, a gift that will help support the organization’s work on behalf of Israeli soldiers, including those struggling with the psychological wounds of war.
The need for that support has never been greater. According to Israel’s Defense Ministry, approximately 17,000 soldiers and security personnel who have sought rehabilitation since Oct. 7, 2023 are coping with psychological injuries, including PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Erin Molan, the Australian journalist and television presenter who has become a familiar presence at Jewish community galas and pro-Israel events, brought a particularly emotional moment to the evening. After losing her television hosting position in Australia following her outspoken support for Israel, Molan has continued to use her platform to speak out, despite the personal consequences.
She told the audience that earlier that day, the FBI had notified her that she had been targeted in a sophisticated cyberattack that was attributed to Iran’s regime. “It is quite concerning because I’m a mom. I moved to the States because I thought it would protect her,” she said, referring to her daughter.
The news, she acknowledged, was frightening. “It would be very easy for me to hide away and not do this anymore. It is quite terrifying, but I will never do that.”
Instead, she said, speaking out was more important than ever. “Standing by Israel should have never been a question or controversial, but it was,” she said, adding that the principles at stake were “the dignity of human lives and freedom and the right of a nation to protect its people.”
The evening also gave a voice to several young men and women who have served in the IDF, some of whom traveled to Los Angeles to share their experiences. Identified only by their first initials for security reasons, they represented the faces of Israel’s soldiers today: young people guided by strong values, morality and courage, and united by their commitment to protecting their country and its people.
One sergeant, identified as Sergeant N, recalled that it was while he was a student at USC that he first encountered antisemitism firsthand. Another, Sergeant C, had previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the IDF. Lieutenant Y offered a powerful description of the difference between Israel’s enemies and those defending it. “They fight to take life; we are fighting to protect it, and we will never stop,” she said.
Major Y spoke about Urija Bayer, a 20-year-old soldier in the IDF’s elite Maglan commando unit, who was born and raised in Israel to a German Christian family. His grandparents had moved from Germany to Israel in 1972, determined to help Holocaust survivors. The family settled in Ma’alot-Tarshiha, where they helped establish and operate a home for elderly survivors.
“He didn’t have to serve in the IDF, but he wanted to,” Major Y said.
Following in the footsteps of his siblings, who also volunteered for the IDF, Urija chose to serve in a combat unit. He was seriously wounded while fighting Hamas in Khan Younis on Dec. 14, 2023, and died of his wounds three days later.
Another particularly moving account came from Major D, who was seriously wounded during his service and is working toward returning to his unit. “You put your life on the line for the people and principles you believe in,” he said.
The evening also paid tribute to those who never made it home. Photographs of hundreds of young Israeli soldiers killed in the war appeared on the screen. Their faces, so young and full of life, offered a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of the conflict.
Among those who shared her story was Maya Regev, 24, who was kidnapped along with her brother, Itay, from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. As they tried to escape the attack, Hamas terrorists opened fire on their car, shooting Maya in the legs before abducting the siblings to Gaza. She spent 50 days in captivity, enduring severe pain from her injuries, before being released in November 2023. Her brother was released four days later.
Since her return, Regev has undergone a long and difficult recovery, including 10 surgeries, and spent nearly a year in the hospital. She has also become a frequent speaker at Jewish community gatherings and events around the world, sharing her personal experience. She has said she feels a responsibility to keep telling the story so that the world does not forget what happened that day.
After sharing her emotional story, Regev concluded on an optimistic note: “I saw what hate looks like, but I also saw what love and courage look like. Together, we are unbreakable.”
