If there is one word that epitomizes Israel’s state of mind since October 7, 2023, it’s “resilience.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines resilience as “the ability to be happy and successful again after something difficult or bad has happened.” The horrors of that day will not be forgotten, but the country’s ability to rebound has been nothing short of remarkable.
That same spirit of resilience will take center stage at the 2025 United Hatzalah Los Angeles Gala, which will take place on September 18 at the Fairmont Century Plaza. Israeli singer Yuval Raphael will be honored with United Hatzalah’s Hero Award. Raphael represented Israel at Eurovision 2025 with her song “New Day Will Rise,” which placed second and resonated with millions.
Her performance was especially poignant given her personal story: She survived the Hamas attack at the Supernova music festival near Re’im on Oct. 7. Trapped in a bomb shelter with dozens of others, she played dead for eight hours as terrorists fired bullets and grenades into the shelter. Her song – with lyrics like “New day will rise, life will go on. Everyone cries, don’t cry alone. Darkness will fade, all the pain will go by” – is a message of recovery and strength.
“Yuval is a shining star of resilience,” says Eli Beer, founder and president of United Hatzalah. “To go through what she went through, survive, and then rise again to inspire others with her voice and presence – that’s the kind of courage we honor.”
Beer draws a parallel to United Hatzalah’s mission: “When we respond to emergencies, we often find people at their lowest moment; and when they survive and recover, that’s everything. Yuval embodies that journey.”
Presenting the Hero Award will be actress and Israel advocate Gal Gadot. When she heard about the award being given to Raphael, she asked to be the one to present it. Gadot, too, has her own story of resilience: While pregnant with her fourth daughter in early 2024, she suffered a rare type of stroke – cerebral venous thrombosis – and required emergency surgery.
“She could have stepped back,” says Beer. “Instead, she stayed strong, kept working, and kept standing up for Israel. She’s fearless.”
Beer shares a personal connection to Gadot’s journey: “I nearly died from COVID in 2020. I was on a ventilator for over a month. When I woke up, I knew I had a second chance. That kind of moment changes you.”
Gadot is also drawn to United Hatzalah because of its inclusive model: “There are Jews, Arabs, Druze, and Christians volunteering side by side. Men and women. Religious and secular. That unity is powerful.”
The gala’s co-chairs are Rick Caruso, a prominent real estate developer and staunch supporter of Israel; and Sunny Sassoon, executive chairman of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “We’re honored to co-chair this event again,” says Sassoon. “There is no better cause than one that saves lives 24/7.”
The young leadership chair of the gala is Ryan Marciano, son of Guess? Inc. co-founder Paul Marciano. “He and a group of young people are involved with United Hatzalah,” says Beer. “We’re going to have over 1,400 people join us between the United Hatzalah Gala and the Young Leadership after party that will immediately follow. Ryan will speak about his involvement with our organization and his dedication of an ambucycle in honor of his uncle, Maurice Marciano.” Beer adds that Guess? supports many medical causes in the United States, and it is especially drawn to United Hatzalah, which is known for its innovative medical practices.
The Am Yisrael Award will go to venture capitalist and political activist Shaun Maguire, a partner at Sequoia Capital and outspoken advocate for Israel. “Shaun has taken a stand, despite facing harsh backlash,” says Beer. “That takes courage.”
Beer has been fundraising in Los Angeles for more than 15 years. “This is a city that loves Israel,” he says. “You see people from all walks of life – haredi, secular, Left, Right, Jewish, and non-Jewish – rallying around the cause. They want to give to something real.”
He recalls the first gala in LA, held just before COVID hit in 2020. Two weeks later, he was critically ill. “I honestly didn’t think we’d ever have another event like that. When I came out of the hospital, I dreamed of rebuilding.”
That dream is now a reality. The upcoming 2025 gala is set to be the biggest yet. “People here believe in what we do – fast, free, lifesaving emergency care. Our 90-second response time. Our mission is to unite and protect,” says Beer.
He points out the organization’s growing appeal: “Our AI tools help predict emergencies. Our volunteers reflect Israel’s diversity. That’s why LA gets it. That’s why this gala matters.”
Visit www.uhlagala.com to learn more or reserve your seat.
This article was written in cooperation with United Hatzalah.