American Friends of Sheba Gala Dinner Held in New York

The American Friends of Sheba Medical Center recently hosted their annual gala dinner in New York City raising nearly $1 million for Sheba. Sheba leaders Profs Zeev Rotstein and Mordechai Shani were joined by 600 black-tie guests at the December 12 gala in New York's fabled Plaza Hotel.

Itzhak Tshuva, one of Israel's leading businessmen with interests in real estate and natural gas, was honored with the Sheba Humanitarian Award. Peter Yarrow (of the legendary "Peter, Paul and Mary" musical trio), and Bill Austin (founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation) were declared Sheba Global Special Ambassadors.

From left: Sheba Friends Chairman Helene Feldman, dinner honoree Mr. Itzhak Tshuva and Barclay's Capital Vice Chairman Harvey Kreuger. (Stan Weiss Photos/AFSMC).

Among the prominent attendees were world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind (who is designing two new buildings at the Sheba Medical Center), Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin, and Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor. US Senator John Kerry sent a video greeting congratulating Mr. Tshuva and the hospital. Harvey Kreuger, Vice Chairman of Barclay's Capital, introduced Mr. Tshuva as a true hero of Israel, reflecting his rise to great success from humble beginnings.

Eyal Naifeld and Ron Weinreich, injured IDF soldiers who were nursed to health at Sheba's Rehabilitation Hospital, addressed the audience and were received with an outpouring of love and admiration.

Architect Daniel Libeskind with Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor (Stan Weiss Photos/AFSMC).

The evening raised funds for the Burn Treatment Center at Sheba. The American Friends of Sheba announced their commitment to support the construction of two Libeskind-designed buildings at Sheba: for the Center for Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and for an International Pediatric Neurosciences Institute.

The elegant evening was hosted by Sheba Friends Chairman Helene Feldman and President Mira Bar-Mashiah, and directed by Stephan A. Bassett, executive director of the American Friends of Sheba.

The Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer wishes its friends Happy Chanuka and best wishes for this holiday season!