On November 17th, more than 400 supporters came together in the glowing Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in New York City for the Hope, Healing & Heroism Gala—an evening filled with heart, purpose, and unity in support of Soroka Medical Center. From the moment guests arrived, the room radiated compassion and connection. It became a night defined by shared courage and community spirit, made possible by the generosity and unwavering dedication of everyone present.
An Evening Honoring Heroes
The gala paid tribute to individuals whose lives and leadership embody healing in its truest form.
The program featured honoring Rabbi Marc Schneier, whose decades of interfaith outreach and bridge-building reflect the essence of coexistence; Dr. Ira Savetsky, a healer whose dedication restores dignity to trauma survivors; and Professor Shlomi Codish, Soroka’s steadfast Director General, whose leadership has guided the hospital through the most turbulent era in its history.
Also saluting the extraordinary Soroka medical team, whose courage—often under fire—anchors the hospital’s lifesaving mission, and the incomparable Tovah Feldshuh, whose eloquence and artistry carried the emotional heart of the evening.
The gala was graced by His Excellency Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, who spoke movingly about Bahrain’s enduring commitment to religious freedom, mutual respect, and the profound impact of simple human kindness.
A Night Elevated by Artistry
The program featured stirring performances:
– Lizzy Savetsky, who opened with the national anthems
– Cantor Netanel Hershtik, accompanied by pianist Eric Freeman
– Soprano Tatev Baroyan with harpist Alisa Sadikova, choreographed by Maestro Constantine Orbelian, Musical Director of the Be’er Sheva Sinfonietta and NYC Opera
Their artistry lifted the room, setting a tone of reverence and inspiration.
Heroes of Truth: A Powerful New Exhibition
The gala proudly premiered Limor Garfinkle’s “Heroes of Truth” portrait series—moving visual tributes to individuals whose courage and integrity reflect Soroka’s deepest values.
All proceeds from the exhibition support PTSD treatment at Soroka.
Heartfelt thanks were extended to Printique, an Adorama Company, for their exceptional printing, and to Art to Frames for the custom framing that brought the exhibit to life.
A Mission More Urgent Than Ever
This thirteenth annual American Friends of Soroka Gala carried special significance. In the wake of devastating attacks and unprecedented pressures—including the Iranian missile strike of June 19—rebuilding and fortifying Soroka has become an urgent priority for the future of Israel’s Negev region.
Highlights From the Evening’s Program
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld: A Welcome of Purpose
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld, Executive Director, opened the evening by acknowledging the extraordinary momentum built over the past two years, even amid harrowing events affecting Israel and the Negev. She recognized the leadership of AFS’s presidents and past presidents, honored the presence of two IDF heroes treated at Soroka, and spoke of the hospital’s resilience through historic mass-casualty events since October 7.
She then introduced the evening’s storyteller and host, Tovah Feldshuh, whose presence illuminated the significance of the night.
Tovah Feldshuh: Capturing the Heart of Soroka
With grace and power, Tovah framed the evening around resilience and rebirth, themes deeply woven into Soroka’s identity. She honored the Soroka staff who continued treating patients even as missiles struck on June 19, calling them “heroes who never hesitated, never flinched, and never stopped believing in life.”
Tovah highlighted Soroka’s role as Israel’s Iron Dome for health—a center of innovation, coexistence, and hope—and underscored the critical need to rebuild protected emergency facilities for generations to come.
She then invited Lizzy Savetsky to lead Hatikvah and The Star-Spangled Banner.
Professor Shlomi Codish: A Leader at the Front Lines
Introduced by Tovah as “a rare blend of compassion and calculation,” Professor Shlomi Codish, Director General of Soroka, delivered a striking account of the current reality:
- The largest mass-casualty event ever recorded at a single hospital on October 7
- Treating 674 wounded in one day, and more than 3,400 soldiers in the months that followed
- The profound responsibility of caring for returning hostages
- The Iranian missile strike that directly targeted Soroka—miraculously without fatalities, due to an evacuation completed the day before
He emphasized that Soroka remains Israel’s least protected major hospital, underscoring the urgent need for a fortified medical infrastructure.
His Excellency Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa: A Tribute to Compassion and Coexistence
Ambassador Al Khalifa shared a remarkable narrative tracing the legacy of Amy Wilkes Zwemer, a young Jewish nurse whose work in early 20th-century Bahrain helped shape the country’s modern healthcare system. Her story reflects Bahrain’s longstanding tradition of trust, service, and interfaith harmony.
He highlighted the Bahrain Declaration of 2017, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s landmark commitment to religious freedom and shared humanity. From this foundation, he introduced his close friend, Rabbi Marc Schneier, whom he honored with the Soroka Humanitarian Award for a lifetime devoted to dialogue, respect, and coexistence.
Rabbi Marc Schneier: A Vision Rooted in Shared Destiny
Rabbi Schneier accepted the award with gratitude to Soroka, to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and to his family. He detailed Bahrain’s pioneering role in interfaith cooperation—from being the first Gulf nation to designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization to joining the Abraham Accords.
Drawing parallels between Soroka and Bahrain, he highlighted Soroka as a living model of coexistence:
- 50% of births at Soroka are Arab children
- One-third of staff are Arab, Druze, or Bedouin
- Soroka leads the world in decoding rare genetic diseases within Arab and Muslim populations
He concluded with a message that resonated deeply:
“As Muslims, Jews, and Christians, we share not only a common faith—but a common fate.”
A Closing Message of Gratitude
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld closed the evening by thanking the honorees, performers, partners, and guests whose compassion, leadership, and commitment illuminate Soroka’s path forward. She reflected on the courage witnessed throughout the night—from the Negev to New York—and expressed heartfelt appreciation for all who stand with Soroka in its mission of healing.
As the program ended, guests were led into an extraordinary dessert room—a breathtaking display of culinary artistry and indulgence. Tables overflowed with elegant cakes, delicate pastries, handcrafted chocolates, and vibrant seasonal fruits, creating a festive finale that radiated warmth, unity, and generosity. The celebration continued as attendees were invited to the After Party, where they enjoyed an exclusive preview of Heroes of Truth: Portraits of Courage by Limor Carfinkle and Soroka’s friends. The combination of exquisite flavors, artistic inspiration, and communal joy made for a memorable conclusion to a night devoted to hope, healing, and the heroes who make both possible.
By Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide
