In a deeply moving moment at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Dec. 15, Eli Sharabi, freed after 491 horrific days in Hamas captivity, joined Gilad Erdan, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, and actor Jonah Platt to kindle the menorah for the second night of Chanukah.
The ceremony was one highlight among many at the elegant American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) annual gala, which drew more than 500 people to support Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency services system, as it honored the contributions of medics.
Hosted by global creator and philanthropist Valeria Lipovetsky, the evening featured a conversation between Sharabi and Platt, to be made available as an episode of “Being Jewish,” Platt’s popular podcast.
Sharabi, 52, whose acclaimed memoir, Hostage, 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 while saving lives on Oct. 7, 2023, Sharabi recalled his close connection with neighbor Aviya Hezroni, an MDA EMT and ambulance driver.
“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, Lianne, and two daughters, Noiya and Yahel—murdered that day by Palestinian Arab terrorists—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 who supported them. I appreciate Am Israel [the ‘Nation of Israel’] that fought in the streets, marching for us and praying for us,” he 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. Thank you very much, to each one of you personally. You have a part in my release.”
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.
Co-chaired by Eli and Tami Dadon, and Terri and Jeffrey Sonn, the event recognized Julia and Elie Deshe as Young Leadership Honorees and recipients of the 2025 L’Dor v Dor Lifesaver Award.
Jewish communal leaders, philanthropists, public officials, business innovators and cultural influencers gathered at the event. Among those in attendance was Zuri Siso, Israel’s new 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 Lights,’ 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.”
“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 dedication to saving lives in Israel shown by the Miami community helps bring hope to us all.”
