Special Guest Yossi Cohen

Former Director of the Mossad & Head of SoftBank Investment Advisers, Israel

Yossi Cohen led Israel’s Mossad from 2016 to 2021, overseeing critical operations, including the Iranian nuclear archive seizure and negotiations behind the Abraham Accords. A recipient of the Israel Defense Prize and the CIA’s George J. Tenet Award, Cohen also served as Israel’s National Security Advisor. Today, he heads SoftBank Investment Advisers in Israel. Cohen was born into a religious family in Jerusalem. He and his wife Aya are blessed with four children and eight grandchildren.

With Ambassador Gilad Erdan

As global president of Magen David Adom, Ambassador Gilad Erdan represents MDA on the international stage and advocates on its behalf at global forums and events. He assumed his new role in September 2024, shortly after completing a four-year tenure as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, where he was recognized as an impassioned defender of Israel.

Ambassador Erdan has long been an advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. During his tenure at the UN, he was also elected to serve as the vice president of the General Assembly, and from January until November 2021 served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States.

After the Hamas attacks of October 7, he emerged as one of the strongest voices for the victims of terror and the right of Israel to defend itself.

With a performance by Omer Shaish

Omer Shaish is an Israeli-born, international singer and actor. His theater credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City, NYC), The VocaPeople (New World Stages, NYC), the US National Tour of Seussical, and the Israeli National Premiers of Chicago and Spring Awakening. Omer has performed as a vocalist in prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, Radio City, ICC Center in Jerusalem, Toronto Center Of the Arts, and Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. He also performed as a soloist at the Celebrity Fight Night (Florence, Italy), featuring Andrea Bocelli, George Clooney and Lionel Richie. Since 2015, Omer has been touring the world as a lead singer in the classical vocal trio Kol Esperanza, as well as his self-produced show My Broadway Shpiel. In 2022, he portrayed the role of Ilmarinen in the Kalevala Broadway concept album alongside Ramin Karimloo and Julia Murney.

Dr. Steven Sckolnik and Dr. Rotem Fishel-Sckolnik are truly honored to chair Heroes of Hope this year. As oncology physicians, caring for others is not just their profession—it is their calling. The privilege of supporting patients during their most vulnerable moments inspired them to become part of the Magen David Adom family. Magen David Adom’s mission to save lives without regard to ethnicity, background, or beliefs reflects their core values as healthcare providers. At the heart of medicine is the understanding that every life deserves care, dignity, and compassion. Drs. Fishel-Sckolnik and Sckolnik are proud to stand with MDA and support its lifesaving work.