A performance by Broadway star Tovah Feldshuh highlighted the annual Palm Beach gala of the American Friends of Magen David Adom.
“From Darkness to Light” took place March 26 at The Breakers.
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Don and Connie Berg were chairman and chairwoman for the evening, which underscored the spiritual and financial support of the Palm Beach community for Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service.
“Year after year, this community continues to show up, not just with generosity, but with commitment and action,” chairwoman Berg said. “Ambulances, medicycles, lifesaving equipment, so much of what is on the ground in Israel today, saving lives every single day, exists because of the people in this very room.”
In addition to a cocktail reception and dinner, the evening included the presentation of the Amit Mann Award of Courage, a Q-and-A between Douglas Murray and Noa Tishby, remarks from a former Hamas hostage, and Feldshuh’s performance.
Randee and Jonathan Cherner received the Amit Mann Award of Courage from Heidi Lein, AFMDA’s director of major gifts, in recognition of their longstanding support for and dedication to Magen David Adom.
In his remarks, Jonathan Cherner underscored the role supporters play in sustaining MDA’s work. “Make no mistake that the herculean efforts of MDA would not happen without the support of American benefactors and, to a large degree, the people in this room,” he said. “We make the difference, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”
Former hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and held captive for 505 days, paralleled the events “From Darkness Into Light Theme” with the work of MDA.
“When people are hurt, they run toward them, Tov said. “When people are afraid, they show up. When seconds matter, they act. They are the light that enters the darkest situations.”
Feldshuh’s performance included an original song about MDA and its lifesaving heroes, and a musical set by Omer Shaish, who performed ‘Rescue’ with orchestra, followed by ‘Mi Sheberach.’ the National Anthem anthem, and ‘Hatikvah,’ honoring the 39 MDA medics who have died since Oct. 7.
Murray, a bestselling author and journalist, and Tishby, an Israeli actress, producer, and advocate, engaged in a live conversation that centered on Israel, the war, antisemitism, and the moral stakes of the current moment.
Murray praised MDA’s frontline impact, telling the audience, “I’ve been on the ground in Israel, and I’ve seen the enormous good work that theydo as an organization.”
He framed the broader fight of the current war between Israel and Iran in stark moral terms: “The world’s biggest death cult has just tried to take on the world’s greatest life cult, and the life cult’s going to win.”
More than 400 people attended.
Proceeds from the event are earmarked for the work of MDA, Israel’s national first response, rescue and blood bank organization.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: As missiles fly elsewhere, supporters boost Israel’s first responders
Reporting by Shannon Donnelly, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
