Barbra Streisand has yet to respond to multiple offers to perform in Israel, but she will appear at a special event honoring the Jewish state’s armed forces.
The singer and actress, who rarely lends her name to such events, will take the stage at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces annual gala Thursday, Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.
The evening is being organized by Israeli-American businessman and billionaire Haim Saban and his wife, Cheryl, who personally asked Streisand to perform and recruited musical producer David Foster, as well.
Actor Jason Alexander will host the event, and more than 1,000 are expected to attend. The guests of honor will be former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and FIDF’s national director, Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Jerry Gershon, chair Nily Falic and national president Julian Josephson.
Saban, one of the IDF’s biggest donors, is the chairman of the gala for the fifth year in a row.
The L.A. branch fundraiser is considered one of the organization’s flagship events. Some $8.8 million was raised last year.
FIDF has been active for 30 years. It initiates and helps support educational, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for Israeli soldiers, their families and the families of fallen soldiers.
Every year, the organization raises more than $60 million. It has 14 branches across the United States and Panama.