The United Palace in New York City came alive on Saturday night with the melodies of the “Symphony of the Stars” concert, organized by United Hatzalah, Israel’s national volunteer-based emergency medical service (EMS) organization. With a remarkable turnout of 3,500 people, the event captivated the audience and raised an impressive $250,000 in support of the organization’s lifesaving mission.
The line-up featured Jewish music stars Benny Friedman, Ishay Ribo, Avraham Fried, Shulem Lemmer and Mordechai Shapiro. In a harmonious convergence of diverse musical styles, the singers created a musical tapestry that resonated across audiences.
Avrumy Jordan, major gifts officer for the Tristate Area at United Hatzalah, declared the evening “a tremendous success.”
He noted that “singers said the atmosphere felt like the concert was happening in Israel, and concert-goers told me it was the most incredible concert New York had ever seen.”
The Dec. 16 concert also carried a deeper significance. United Hatzalah volunteers, who are often at the forefront of emergency responses, were among the first to help on Oct. 7 amid Hamas’s terrorist attacks in Israel. The goal of the event was to pay tribute to them, as well as celebrate Jewish unity and pride.
“We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support during this challenging time. The ‘Symphony of the Stars’ was not just a concert; it was a collective expression of solidarity and strength,” said Eli Beer, founder and president of United Hatzalah. “Not only did everyone have an amazing time, but by doing so, they allowed us to continue to equip and train our volunteers to allow the fastest and free emergency medical response throughout Israel when it’s more needed than ever.”
