RAPHAEL POCH
ON A RECENT TUESDAY EVENING AT PIER 60, IN CHELSEA PIERS, OVER 1,000 PEOPLE GATHERED IN SUPPORT OF FRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH, ISRAEL’S PREMIER FULLY VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION. OVER 400 OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS UNDER THE AGE OF 35.
The crowd was there to attend the 3rd Annual Gala held by Friends of United Hatzalah of Israel, in support of the work done by the organization’s network of 6,200 emergency medical volunteers in Israel. Throughout the night supporters made donations which will go to support Hatazalah’s lifesaving efforts.
At the heart of the event, the organization featured Dr. Zevi Neuwirth, a Miami physician who volunteers with the organization during international crises. He conducted dozens of black-ops rescue missions inside Ukraine, over the first two months of the Russia-Ukraine war, as part of the organization’s relief efforts.
The event was chaired by supporter Alex Blavatnik, who flew in especially to support Hatazalah’s efforts in Israel and Ukraine. He was honored by the President and Founder of United Hatzalah, Eli Beer, as well as Chairman, Mark Gerson. Also honored were Cathy and Allan Weiss and Chantal and Al Gindi, for their continued support of Israel and the emergency services organization.
Al Gindi is a third-generation donor to many Jewish causes, both in the US and in Israel, among them is United Hatzalah. “I am grateful to have learned everything from the most amazing role models, my father Raymond Gindi, Uncle Isaac “IG” Gindi, and my grandfather Al Gindi A”H, the patriarch of our family. They taught me the importance of steadfastly upholding Jewish values, such as integrity, humility, and generosity,” AI said.
Eli Beer spoke about the qualities that he respects so much in Chantal, Al, and their family: charity, integrity, love, and kindness. “Most people give either annually, or only after their businesses make a profit. Chantal and Al take a different approach. They created a unique and thoughtful tradition. They make a donation whenever they close a new business deal, before any profits are realized, and they have encouraged their family and friends to give back to both their community and to Israel, as well. I can say that many lives have been saved because of their efforts and generous donations. They are a shining light in the Syrian community of New York.”
The event marked the third time that such a gala has been hosted in New York by Friends of United Hatzalah, and the first time since COVID began.
Beer concluded, “The Gindi family, as well as other members of the Syrian community who came out tonight, supported our efforts in Operation Orange Wings, which we undertook to provide humanitarian aid and medical care for refugees in Ukraine and Moldova. They even flew nearly 3,000 refugees to Israel. Now, they are here showing their support once again and donating to help us continue our work saving lives in Israel. I am grateful that we had the opportunity to honor Chantal and Al at this event, and I am simply in awe of how caring a community this truly is. Thank you.”
Raphael Poch is a volunteer EMT with United Hatzalah. He is the team leader for the Efrat region. In addition to his volunteer work, he serves as the International Media Spokesperson. He lives in the city of Efrat with his wife and two children and originally hails from Toronto, Canada.
