Keynote speaker Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., told the crowd it was crucial for Israel to win its war against the terrorist group Hamas.
Palm Beach, Fla. (March 29, 2024) — More than 600 supporters of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency services system, gathered last night at The Breakers to pay tribute to the organization’s heroic medics and raise funds for increased emergency medical needs in Israel.
The event, “The Tribute to Our Heroes Gala,” honored Al and Linda Adelson with the Amit Man Award for Courage in recognition of their outstanding philanthropic leadership in the Palm Beach community and for their support of MDA’s lifesaving work. The event was co-chaired by Donald & Connie Berg and Martin & Bonnie Spector.
The event was sold out and attracted many first-time attendees in light of Magen David Adom’s heroic work since the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, during which four MDA medics were targeted and killed while actively treating patients or racing to emergency scenes. Among those killed was Amit Man, for whom the event’s award was named.
Money raised at the event will be used to vastly expand MDA’s fleet of ambulances, Medicycles, and other rescue vehicles. It will also purchase medical equipment and fund additional training that MDA says is needed because of the marked increase in rocket attacks in Israel’s North and terror attacks throughout the country.
Donations will also support the work of MDA’s Marcus National Blood Services Center, Israel’s newly opened blood bank, named for philanthropists and Palm Beach County residents Billi and Bernie Marcus. The building was designed to protect Israel’s strategic blood reserves and its blood-processing capabilities by housing those functions on successively more secure underground levels, reinforced against conventional, chemical, and biological attacks.
Earlier in the evening, MDA dedicated two ambulances and six Medicycles sponsored by members of the Palm Beach community. The vehicles will be shipped to Israel to be put into use saving lives. At the event itself, MDA raised another $4.2 million.
After cocktails and dinner, keynote speaker Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, assured the attendees of Israel’s determination to win its war against the terrorist group Hamas and spoke of Magen David Adom’s crucial role on October 7.
“[On that day] thousands of Israelis lay wounded and their only lifeline was Magen David Adom,” Amb. Erdan said. “There would be many more people mourning their loved ones if it weren’t for the heroic work of MDA.”
And he vowed that Israel would press on in its fight to eradicate the terrorist group, not just for Israel, but for other countries grappling with Iranian terrorist proxies.
“Did anyone call for a ceasefire when the Allies fought Hitler?” he said. “…Our soldiers may be fighting in Gaza, but they’re defending more than just Israel. Terror will spread like wildfire [if Israel doesn’t vanquish Hamas]. …We will not stop until Hamas is defeated.”
The event premiered a new award, the Amit Man Award for Courage, named for a 22-year-old MDA paramedic murdered by Hamas in Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel’s South while treating patient’s at the community’s clinic. In what was perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening, the award was accepted on behalf of Amit’s family by MDA paramedic Ofir Peretz, Amit’s one-time ambulance partner who later became her life partner.
The moment was accentuated by footage of Amit singing, which was accompanied live by a chorus.
Among noted guests at the event were Lois Pope, philanthropist and steadfast supporter of Israel; Jamie McCourt, former U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco; Robin Bernstein, former U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic; West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James; West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley; MDA Chief of Staff Uri Shacham; Kravis Center CEO Diane Quinn; Stuart Weitzman, designer and shoe company founder; Isaac Levy, co-founder of jewelry company Yvel; representatives from Lugano Diamonds and Chanel, as well as a group from Miami-based Forman Capital, led by partner Ben Jacobson.
“We are proud to support an organization made up of heroic volunteers who risk their lives daily to save all those who need treatment,” said honorees Al and Linda Adelson. “Especially at a time of pain and loss, when our brothers and sisters in Israel need our help more than ever, we find it meaningful that we can pay them tribute and honor their bravery.”
