THERE FOR THOSE WHO ARE THERE FOR US.
OUR MISSION
Zahal Shalom of Bergen County is dedicated to healing and lifting the spirits of wounded Israeli Defense Force veterans.
Our compassionate volunteers open their hearts and homes to forge lasting, life-changing relationships that support the veterans and their hopes for the future. We in turn benefit from sharing our lives with them, and are proud to express our gratitude for their service to the State of Israel. Our program of cultural, educational, and social events enriches the lives of the veterans, promotes a sense of new opportunities, and fosters a bond of love and support.
WHY ZAHAL SHALOM?
Thousands of IDF
soldiers are wounded every single year.
Zahal Shalom's work is built upon helping aid and alleviate physical and mental injuries that soldiers suffer following their service in the IDF. In addition to a multitude of physical injuries, thousands of IDF veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our programming is designed to enable our delegations to enjoy stress-free experiences in America.
118,000+
soldiers injured since Israel's inception
2,000+
cases of PTSD diagnosed annually
15,000+
soldiers in rehabilitation
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Proudly led by passionate and devoted volunteers.
Tali Blum
Co-President
Tali joined the Zahal Shalom Executive Board in 2016, serving as Co–Vice President and contributing to several committees, including Events, Fundraising and PR. In 2022, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of making Aliyah and now resides in Israel, where she continues to lead the organization and serves as the primary liaison between Zahal Shalom and the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization. Tali works closely with the ZDVO in selecting delegation participants and maintains ongoing relationships with the IDF veterans. Each year, she joins the delegation in the U.S. to ensure continuity and a meaningful experience for all involved.
Amanda Zonereich
Co-President
Amanda has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2008, along with her husband Davy and their two children, serving as both Host and Buddy families over the years. She joined the Executive Board in 2017, contributing to Programming, Fundraising, and Events, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Programming Committee. In 2021, Amanda accepted the role of Co-President, bringing dedication and enthusiasm to the organization. Together with her family, she shares a deep passion for Israel and visits often.
Ellen Breger
Co-Vice President
Ellen, along with her husband David, has been actively supporting Israel for many years, including hosting Israeli teens whose lives were affected by terrorism. After traveling to Israel to visit their daughter, Ellen discovered the Zahal Shalom program and began hosting a disabled veteran in 2014, continuing since as a Host or Buddy family. Ellen brings valuable perspective to the organization and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Food Committee, helping ensure programs and events are welcoming and well organized. She joined the Executive Board in 2019.
Steve Kornblit
Co-Vice President
Steve serves on the Publicity and Fundraising Committees as well as being a NYC guide during delegation visits. Since 2005, Steve and his wife Susan have hosted seven veterans. Before Zahal Shalom, Steve had no relationship to Israel, but now has Israeli friends he considers family and has visited three times.
Susan Kornblit
Secretary
Susan has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2005, when she and her husband Steve first participated as a host family. Since then, they have continued to welcome and support veterans through the program. Born in New York to parents who were German Jewish refugees, Susan has a deep appreciation for Israel and the importance of strong connections between Israeli veterans and the Jewish community. She currently serves on the Host & Buddy Committee.
Treasurer
Phil Yucht
Phil’s connection to Israel began with his first visit in 1974, where he met extended family and his future wife. Together with his late wife Karen, Phil shared their love of Israel with their three children and became involved with Zahal Shalom as a host family in 2004. Phil and Karen hosted veterans many times over the years and Phil continues to do so today. He joined the Zahal Shalom Executive Board in 2016 and has served as Treasurer with dedication, finding meaning in supporting IDF veterans and strengthening connections in Israel and the U.S.
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Amy Albalah
Amy has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2017, along with her husband David and their family. Inspired by their strong connection to Israel, Amy became actively engaged in the organization, contributing to fundraising efforts and serving on the Events Committee. She currently serves on the Host & Buddy Committee and plays an important role in welcoming new families and strengthening connections with the veterans.
Israel Blum
Born in a Cypress detention camp before moving to Israel in 1949, Israel served as a technician in the IDF Air Force. In 1970 he moved to the US to attend college. Married to Sara and the father of 3 children and 2 grandchildren, Israel's been committed to Zahal Shalom since 1999. From 2017-2021 he served as Co-Vice-President with his daughter, Tali. Israel's humor, generosity and loving nature touch all.
Julie Calabro
Julie became involved with Zahal Shalom in 2017, along with her husband Stephen and their daughters, first as a Buddy family and later as Host Family. She has contributed to the organization through her work on the Fundraising and Events Committees and by supporting social media efforts before joining the Executive Committee in 2021. Julie values the meaningful connections built through Zahal Shalom with both veterans and fellow families—and remains actively engaged in strengthening those relationships.
Debbie Corwin
Debbie and her husband Jan have been involved in Zahal Shalom since 2011, serving many times as both host and buddy families. Debbie works in assisted living and has volunteered in multiple Jewish organizations. She is also a talented musician, and often leads lively sing-a-longs when the veterans are here. Debbie and Jan love visiting their Zahal Shalom families in Israel and make it a regular part of their life.
Jan Corwin
Jan and his wife Debbie have been involved in Zahal Shalom as a host and buddy family since 2011. Before moving to NJ in 2006, they lived in California, where Jan was a chiropractor in Oakland. He currently teaches anatomy and physiology in local colleges. Jan loves being a part of Zahal Shalom and the warm community between Israel and Bergen County.
Sherry Frank
Sherry became involved with Zahal Shalom in 2017 after learning about the organization during a trip to Israel. Along with her husband Stephen and their family, she joined as a Buddy family and quickly developed a strong connection to the program and its mission. Sherry has been actively involved in organizational events, including the annual fundraiser and auction and brings enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to the Events Planning committee. Her family remains deeply committed to Zahal Shalom and its work.
Shelly Goldstein
Shelly’s connection to Israel began during his studies there in the early 1970s, where he met his wife Susie. Together, they have been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2011, serving as Host & Buddy families over the years. Shelly has contributed his skills through public relations projects, including the creation of a Zahal Shalom promotional video, and is pleased to serve on the Executive Committee. He looks forward to continuing his involvement with the organization and maintaining strong connections with the veterans and the broader Zahal Shalom community.
Susie Goldstein
Susie has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2011, along with her husband Shelly, serving as Host & Buddy families for many veterans over the years. After reconnecting with veterans during a return visit to Israel, Susie deepened her involvement with the organization and joined the Executive Committee. She has contributed through her work on the Fundraising and Events Committees and plays an active role on the Programming Committee. Susie looks forward to continuing to welcome and support future delegations.
Alice Heffner
Alice’s connection to Israel began during a NFTY high school semester in Jerusalem and on Kibbutz Kfar HaMaccabi. Along with her family, she has been actively involved with Zahal Shalom for many years through hosting and buddying veterans. Alice serves as Co-Chair of the Host & Buddy Committee and plays a key role in welcoming and supporting veterans and host/buddy families each year. She looks forward to reconnecting with Israel and engaging with each delegation when they arrive.
Jo Resnick Rosen
Jo has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 1999, when she, her husband Michael, and their three children hosted the first of three soldiers. She serves on the Programming Committee, leads day trips and is also a professional photographer who generously uses her talents to document Zahal Shalom programs. A former student at Tichon Hadash in Tel Aviv, Jo has maintained a lifelong connection to Israel through frequent visits.
Stacey Rosen
Stacey has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2016, when she and her husband Ritchard began hosting veterans through the program. Inspired by their love of Israel and commitment to the Jewish community, Stacey became actively engaged in the organization and joined the Executive Committee in 2019. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Food Committee.
Richard Schnaittacher
Richard has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 1998. He served as President and Chairman from 2007 to 2016 and now lends his guidance and expertise to the Executive Committee as President Emeritus. Richard lived in Israel for eight years in Neve Monoson, near Tel Aviv, holds dual citizenship, and is fluent in Hebrew and Mandarin Chinese.
Mindy Schultz
Mindy has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2014, when her family hosted their first disabled veteran. Prior to joining, Mindy, her husband Jeff and their two sons hosted several Israeli teens affected by terrorism. She was naturally drawn to Zahal Shalom due to her passion for Israel, and approached the organization about opening her home for hosting opportunities. Mindy serves on the Host and Buddy Committee and enjoys bringing new families into the program. She also lends her graphic design skills to marketing materials.
Debbie Zingler
Debbie has been involved with Zahal Shalom since 2012, along with her husband Joel and their two children. Her deep connection to Israel began during her first visit as a teenager and has remained a central part of her life ever since. Debbie and her family have served as Host & Buddy families for several veterans over the years, and she currently serves as Chair of the Events Committee, finding meaningful ways to give back while building lasting community connections.
THEY WERE THERE FOR ISRAEL, NOW WE NEED TO BE THERE FOR THEM.
2024 Delegation | Touring New York City
