American Eagle CEO Cofounds Fund to Support Gold Star Families in Israel
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American entrepreneurs and philanthropists Jay Schottenstein, the chief executive officer of American Eagle, and Robert H. Book are launching the Fallen Heroes Fund, a global effort providing immediate financial and emotional support of the families of fallen Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and first responders, on Tuesday.
The Fallen Heroes Fund is a direct response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The fund’s mission is to come together with empathy and strength for the parents, children, and spouses of those who have died.
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The group will provide a memorial book honoring the fallen and a check for 36,000 NIS ($9,628 U.S.) to the immediate family of the fallen. One hundred percent of the money donated goes directly to the families; administrative costs are covered by the founding members.
Members of the Fallen Heroes Fund plan to travel personally to visit with the families as they grieve and adjust to their circumstances, aiming to help in any way possible to ease suffering.
“The devastating cost of sacrifice to those left behind does not discriminate,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, a co-chair of the Fallen Heroes Fund.
To date, the Fallen Heroes Fund has privately raised more than $7 million and is in the process of providing relief to the families of more than 540 fallen soldiers and first responders. In addition to Friedman, the fund’s board of directors includes co-chairmen retired major general Israel Ziv, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Senator Joe Lieberman, among many others.
Donations are being accepted at fallenh.org.
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