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United Hatzalah’s network of more than 8,000 volunteer EMTs, medics, and doctors responds to over 800,000 emergencies annually—free of charge and with an average response time of 90 seconds.
By Shula Rosen
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 Nova music festival massacre, was honored with the Hero Award at United Hatzalah’s gala in Los Angeles, where she moved the audience with an emotional performance of her song “Rescue.”
Raphael, who gained international attention after performing “New Day Will Rise” at the Eurovision-style contest last May, where she won the audience vote and placed second overall, received a standing ovation as she took the stage.
Overcome with emotion, she thanked the audience through tears, saying she was grateful for the moment before delivering a powerful rendition of “Rescue.” A clip from her Eurovision performance was also shown during the event.
The Los Angeles gala gathered leaders of the city’s pro-Israel philanthropic community to raise funds for medical supplies and training programs for United Hatzalah, Israel’s largest volunteer emergency medical service.
Actress Gal Gadot, speaking at the event, praised the organization’s lifesaving work across religious and cultural lines. “Jews, Muslims, Christians, men, and women rush out at a moment’s notice to save the lives of complete strangers,” Gadot said.
“They don’t ask who you are, where you’re from, or what you believe. They simply respond, and they do it all for free.”
United Hatzalah founder and president Eli Beer called the evening “an incredible night” for the organization.
“It was truly inspiring to see Gal Gadot present the Hero Award to Yuval Raphael—two real Israeli heroes in one room,” he said. “Yuval’s bravery is so inspiring to the people of Israel and the entire world.”
The gala, chaired by business leaders Rick Caruso and Sunny Sassoon, also honored Shaun Maguire of Sequoia Capital with the Am Yisrael Award for his outspoken support of Israel.
Sponsored by Greenberg Traurig Law, the event raised funds to train new medics and psychotrauma responders and to purchase lifesaving equipment.
United Hatzalah’s network of more than 8,000 volunteer EMTs, medics, and doctors responds to over 800,000 emergencies annually—free of charge and with an average response time of 90 seconds.
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