A standing-room-only crowd at Kushner greeted Eli Beer, United Hatzalah, and Israeli singer Eden Golan on March 27 at JKHA/RKYHS in Livingston. “We love Eden and her fight against antisemitism with her music,” said Mara Soverinsky, New Jersey regional development officer of United Hatzalah. Soverinsky explained how many young people feel hopeless and without representatives in the face of anti-Jewish rhetoric since Oct. 7, 2023. “Eden Golan is embracing her position in a beautiful way, especially for young kids who look up to a superstar.”

Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah explained: “The reason we have Eden Golan is that she’s incredible; she’s a hero. She’s not scared of anyone. She was threatened not to be proud of who she is by many antisemites.” Beer was describing Golan’s experience at Eurovision, during which she had three times the normal security and had to stay isolated in her room until her performance. She rose to fifth place in the 2024 competition representing Israel in this annual song contest. This was after her song, “October Rain,” had to be changed to “Hurricane” at the insistence of Eurovision.

Beer founded United Hatzalah in Israel many years ago. Growing up in Jerusalem he saw motorcycles deliver pizza going faster than ambulances in traffic. He often thought that if he would need help he would rather call for a pizza than an ambulance. Today United Hatzalah rescues people in 90 seconds. There are 1,500 ambucycles as well as other emergency vehicles in Israel, with 8,000 volunteers answering 2,000 calls per day, helping people of all backgrounds—the fastest response team in the world. “Time makes all the difference between life and death,” Beer said. “Neighbors are helping in times of crisis, transferring citizens into superheroes. Helping people is what we do.”

United Hatzalah is innovating using its new AI initiative. With this technology responders can predict when and where calls can take place, based on data of previous years. It allows emergency medical providers to be on the scene before problems happen.

Virtual reality (VR) goggles are another new tool in a program called “Healing Our Heroes.” This helps give therapy to responders to help them manage the trauma they have been exposed to since October 7, 2023.

United Hatzalah is proud to honor Eden Golan with its Heroes Award. Beer announced: “We want to recruit children to be heroes. Eden wants kids to be heroes, too.” Usually one has to be 21 to be a volunteer. “But it’s not enough,” Eli exclaimed. He introduced the Leight Legacy Heroes project, sponsored by Lynn and Paul Leight of Miami. Kids, starting at age 10, from all over the world, who care about Israel and want to help, can register today on israelrescue.org or by emailing alanar@israel rescue.org to join and earn prizes.

Eden Golan and United Hatzalah have an amazing partnership. Their current tour includes St. Louis, Dallas, Boston and Miami. At Kushner, she greeted an appreciative and adoring crowd of all ages, from fifth graders to grandparents. Before her concert, Golan listened attentively to fans and spoke with them as she graciously posed for photos. Midway through the program, Abbi Halpern, president of women’s philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ, interviewed Golan. She explained her new song, “Beautiful Horizon,” is about her grandfather, and said, “I feel like so many can relate to missing people and the hostages.” With the moment all were waiting for, Golan brought the audience to its feet, inviting all to join her with warmth and unity to sing “Hurricane.” Learn more about United Hatzalah at israelrescue.org.