On Tuesday, June 16, the American Friends of Soroka Medical Center will hold its third annual Gala Benefit Dinner in New York City at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The event will celebrate Soroka’s unique contributions to defending Israel’s health and the heroic care for Israel’s wounded soldiers provided at Soroka during Operation Protective Edge last summer. Dr. Amit Frenkel, Soroka Medical Center’s Senior Intensive Care specialist; Brigadier General Dr. Daniel Gold, the CEO and founder of Gold R&D Technology and Rabbi David Greenberg, spiritual leader of Temple Shaaray Tefila of Bedford, NY will receive awards. IDF Soldier Daniel Fish, who was gravely wounded during Operation Protective Edge, will present the award to Amit Frenkel, his doctor at Soroka, where his life and limbs were saved.

All proceeds from this event will directly support the expansion of Soroka’s Emergency and Trauma Center. The center is already Israel’s busiest, yet must now grow by 30 percent to meet the needs of the State of Israel given the anticipated exponential growth of Be’er Sheva and the Negev. This project will assure that the hospital, a strategic asset for Israel and the only major medical center on the southern front, is prepared to deal with emergencies of all kinds, saving lives in times of peace and war alike.

The evening will feature a deluxe silent auction that includes such luxury items as designer jewelry, vintage handbags and sterling silver. In addition, there will be a very special offering of original art by renowned Mexican artist Eduardo Cohen. Ronnit Vasserman, the founder of Art Connect Group, has facilitated a remarkable connection for Soroka, that brings a unique element to the gala. Seeking novel ways to attract support for Soroka, Ms. Vasserman introduced Esther Shabot, the widow of Eduardo Cohen, to American Friends of Soroka Medical Center. Upon hearing about the wonderful cause that is the Soroka Medical Center, Ms. Shabot decided to participate in this year’s gala, which coincides with the marking of the 20th anniversary of Eduardo’s death. She will be donating one of Eduardo’s works to Soroka, where it will be installed in the new Comprehensive Cancer Center, currently under construction. She will also be offering a well-curated collection of Eduardo’s art for sale at the gala, with 30 percent of the proceeds being donated to Soroka. Eduardo’s work is truly magnificent and we are honored and most appreciative that Esther would choose to share Eduardo’s legacy with Soroka.

Eduardo Cohen was a Jewish-Mexican expressionist who composed beautiful pieces of figurative artwork that consist of a combination of his life experiences with his emotions that loosely recreate and modernize biblical samplings. Much of his artwork focuses on the prophets and stories presented in the Bible and is represented through his use of vibrant color and movement. His series of Prophets connects faces to the familiar names told in stories, and gives the figures emotions through colorful shading and color blocking. Cohen’s use of movement is present throughout his paintings, both in pastel and other mediums; he manages to direct the eye across the canvas in a unique way that manages to tell a story. For example, in his series of paintings entitled “Al Kanfei Nesharim,” Cohen depicts the Israelites escaping Egypt on the back of an eagle in a haze of bright color and swirling movement. Just as Cohen used his faith to support him throughout his life, he shows the Israelites being supported by the eagle bringing them to Jerusalem. Like Soroka, Eduardo is a symbol of unification, proudly combining his Mexican heritage with his Jewish identity.

There will be many dignitaries at the gala, including Ambassador Consul General Ido Aharoni, Consul General of Israel in NY. Ambassador Aharoni, who has represented the State of Israel since 1991 in a range of leadership roles reflecting his vast expertise in foreign affairs, policy, communications and media relations, will offer greetings, and Dan Abrams, Chief Legal Analyst for ABC and the founder of Abrams Media Portfolio, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Dr. Amit Frenkel, Soroka Medical Center’s Senior Intensive Care specialist and one of Israel’s most acclaimed physicians and a specialist in neuro-trauma, will reflect on his unique experiences delivering medicine under fire, including working around the clock during Operation Protective Edge, caring for the most seriously wounded soldiers.

Rabbi David Greenberg is the senior Rabbi at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, NY, and has been a strong advocate, supporter and friend to Soroka, and has been extremely moved by Soroka’s humanitarian mission and in particular the needs of Soroka’s Neonatal Intensive Care department to build a fortified building.

Soroka Medical Center

One of Israel’s largest and busiest hospitals, Soroka is the only major Medical Center for the entire Negev, which comprises 60 percent of Israel’s land.

Soroka is an intensely multi-cultural hospital, serving as an example and symbol of peaceful co-existence.

Centers of excellence within the hospital include trauma care, cancer care, genetics, brain, clinical research, pediatrics and psychiatric care.

During Operation Protective Edge Soroka cared for over 1,200 wounded, including 800 soldiers.

The hospital is responsible for the health and emergency care of a million people including 400,000 children and many IDF soldiers. Soroka must now grow by 30 percent, given anticipated rapid population growth, with the IDF moving key bases and operations to the Negev, and Beer Sheva’s evolving transformation into a high-tech center.

· Soroka serves all, regardless of race, religion, politics or national origin.

Tickets to the gala are $500 per person and up, with a special price of $260 for young professionals.

For more information about the the Soroka Medical Center Gala please contact Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld at 914-725-9070 or [email protected]. American Friends of Soroka Medical Center is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that attracts supporters from across all demographics, with friends working together to support Soroka and its essential role as Israel’s “Iron Dome for Health.” Its address is PO Box 184-H, Scarsdale, NY 10583.