American Friends of ELEM hosted its annual “Ray of Hope” benefit at the Museum of Jewish Heritage–Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City, honoring two leaders whose dedication to empowering youth reflects the mission of the organization.
Ari Ackerman received the “Ray of Hope” award. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, social-media activist, co-owner of the Miami Marlins and community leader, he has dedicated his career to building, giving and inspiring. The award recognizes exceptional efforts to alleviate youth suffering, combat social inequality and promote tolerance.
Ackerman said, “Why ELEM? When they asked to honor me, I didn’t know that much about this incredible organization. But when I jumped in and learned about it, I was hooked. I was hooked because what they do every day, like me, is fight for children. They give young people safe spaces, mentors, and a chance to see a future for themselves. This is not just charity, this is hope, something we all need right now.”
Jonah Platt was honored with the LifeSaver Award, established in 2010 to recognize individuals who confront abuse, inequality and intolerance while protecting vulnerable youth. Platt, host of America’s top Jewish podcast, “Being Jewish with Jonah Platt,” has spotlighted prominent voices, including Josh Gad, Van Jones, Sheryl Sandberg and others.
“When Elem emailed me about this LifeSaver award, I was confused at first. I thought I would be presenting it to ELEM because I don’t feel I am a lifesaver; that is what ELEM does. ELEM is literally out there every single day, doing work that matters, that saves and changes lives”, said Platt.
He added: “Be an ambassador of Jewish people, of goodness. You can be the person who brings the Latkes into the break room at your office and explains to your colleagues what Chanukah is. You can invite somebody over for Shabbat who’s never had Shabbat. What we have to do is advocate for ourselves as people, taking up space in public, normalizing that Jews are here. We are a part of the fabric of the world, of this country—we are proud of it, and we are not going anywhere.”
The evening highlighted ELEM’s four decades of work supporting Israel’s most vulnerable youth, addressing issues such as domestic violence, sexual exploitation, homelessness, school attrition, substance abuse, depression, suicidal ideation and family system failure. ELEM serves youth across Israel—from Jewish to Druze, LGBTQIA+ to Orthodox and secular communities.
“What inspires me every day is seeing young people discover that they are not defined by the trauma they’ve lived through,” said American Friends of ELEM CEO Liora Attias-Hadar. “After a crisis, or when they’ve been displaced, ELEM gives them a safe space to start over, to find stability and to believe in themselves again. That transformation is why our work is so urgent and why every moment counts.”
The benefit also sheds light on the urgent challenges youth face in Israel.
Lenore Ruben, president of American Friends of ELEM, said that “last year, we hosted Roei Shalev, ELEM’s LifeSaver Award honoree, who survived the Nova music festival but lost his partner and best friend there. When we met him, we saw someone deeply wounded, struggling to cope. That connection felt natural to us because so many of the young people we work with carry heavy trauma and often feel they are falling through the cracks. Sadly, Roei recently took his own life, a painful reminder of the challenges that so many youth face in Israel. Still, we do not have the privilege to give up or break down.”
Funds raised during the benefit support ELEM’s year-round programs and emergency initiatives, helping displaced youth in hotels, kibbutzim, and schools, including Nova music festival survivors, teens with friends held hostage in Gaza, and those who have lost family members to war, terrorism and a number of other causes.
Programs provide stability, enable students to stay in school, and reduce the rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
