Actor Jonah Platt and global creator Valeria Lipovetsky took part in the top-tier event to raise funds for Israel’s national emergency services system.
In a deeply moving moment at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Monday evening, Eli Sharabi, finally free after 491 horrific days in Hamas captivity, joined Ambassador Gilad Erdan and actor Jonah Platt to kindle the menorah for the second night of Chanukah.
The ceremony was one highlight among many at the elegant AFMDA Gala, which drew over 500 people to support Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency services system, as it honored the contributions of MDA’s medics.
Hosted by global creator and philanthropist Valeria Lipovetsky, the evening featured a live conversation between Sharabi and actor Platt, which will be made available as an episode of “Being Jewish,” Platt’s popular podcast.
Sharabi, whose acclaimed memoir is a New York Times bestseller, touched on trauma, faith, survival and his path to healing in his remarks at the event. A resident of Kibbutz Be’eri where two MDA medics were killed on October 7, Sharabi recalled his close connection with neighbor Aviya Hezroni, an MDA EMT and ambulance driver who was killed while saving lives.
“Aviya was an amazing man. I remember that almost every day, he would wear his MDA uniform and go to save lives. It was amazing to me, his dedication to saving lives. It was well known in Be’eri. I miss him a lot,” Sharabi said.
After referring to the painful loss of his wife and daughters and recounting briefly the torture he suffered in captivity, Sharabi shared his path to moving forward amid tragedy..
“I appreciate my amazing family who fought for me for 500 days. I appreciate my friends that support them. I appreciate Am Israel (the Nation of Israel) that fought in the streets, marching for us and praying for us,” Sharabi said. “And then I started to go abroad and to meet all these Jewish communities and people, to see the solidarity they have with Israel and Israelis. It is very moving. I’m very grateful for that. Thank you very much to each one of you personally. You have a part in my release,” he added.
After the conversation, Platt recalled a recently released video of six hostages lighting a menorah deep underground in Gaza.
“While their captors brutally ended their lives, they did not succeed in extinguishing their light. And tonight, as we gather here in freedom, we carry their flame forward, both in our hearts and through the menorah that our people have been lighting on this night for thousands of years,” he said.
Ambassador Erdan, MDA’s global president, also focused on faith and resilience in his remarks from the podium.
“In the wake of the brutal attack against the Jewish community in Australia, we stand in solidarity with Jews there and around the world — reminded once again that our people face the same hatred, but stand together as one,” he said. “Chanukah teaches us that a little bit of light dispels much darkness. But we must remember that light does not sustain itself. It requires faith, conviction, and people who are willing to stand up and act. This is the story of the Jewish people. This is the story of Israel. And this is the story of Magen David Adom,” he added.
The evening, co-chaired by Eli and Tami Dadon, and Terri and Jeffrey Sonn, recognized Julia and Elie Deshe as Young Leadership Honorees and recipients of the 2025 L’Dor v Dor Lifesaver Award. The couple reflected on the tradition of giving that had been passed on to them from previous generations, noting that Elie had developed his sense of Jewish commitment from his parents and grandparents. His mother, Ann S. Deshe is a member of the AFMDA Board.
“I think we just want our kids to know that if you are lucky enough to be in a position where you can help others, then you shouldn’t hesitate,” said Elie Deshe “We don’t look at it as if we’re just giving charity. We feel we’re investing in the future of Israel, and the ROI on saving a life is immeasurable.”
MIami locals including leading public officials, community leaders, philanthropists, business innovators, and cultural influencers came together. Among those in attendance was Zuri Siso, who chose to attend the AFMDA event on his first day as Israel’s Consul General in Miami, and Miss Israel 2025 Melanie Shiraz Asor.
A musical program led by Tomer Addadi further conveyed the evening’s theme of darkness moving into light as videos and personal accounts by MDA medics were shared from the stage.
“On the second night of Chanukah — the festival of light — we gathered as one community to push back the darkness with hope, courage, and unwavering love for Israel,” said Mike Driquez, AFMDA director of strategic fundraising and community relations for the Southeast Region. “We cried together. We hoped together, and together we lit another candle of strength and courage for our people,” he said.
“Standing together with so many deeply committed supporters of Magen David Adom, I was moved by the sense of solidarity in the room,” said Tammy Karu, AFMDA national director of strategic philanthropy and director of the Southeast Region. “Despite two years of unrelenting violence in Israel, the spirit of generosity and the dedication to saving lives in Israel shown by the Miami community helps bring hope to us all,” she said.
