GLAMOUR AND GIVING HEARTS IN MONTE CARLO'S "HERMITAGE HOTEL"

For over a decade, international society has come together in the noble Hotel Hermitage for an "Enchanting Summer Night Happening" – an elegant benefit gala in support of the Sheba Medical Center. Prince Albert II of Monaco granted his High Patronage for the event again this year.

"Drink – dance – donate" was the motto of the evening. Hosted by Dorit and Marc Assaraf, the guest of honor, Prof. Yitshak Kreiss, Director General of the medical center, was accompanied by his lovely wife Inbal. 

Model and moderator, Hofit Golan, came from London and Valerie Perez, the anchor woman of the international I24 news channel, arrived from Marseille to guide attendees through the evening with charm and energy.

The dress code read "Dress to Impress", and the ladies certainly did. Hofit Golan remarked, "There is no such thing as being overdressed in Monte Carlo – even the supermarket looks like a Dior Boutique.  I have already been to the Sheba Gala in London, and now for the first time I’m attending the one here in Monte Carlo. I am from Israel and I like to be here. We support a fantastic cause against an amazing backdrop."

Also present was philanthropist, Daniele Thoma, former president of the Monte Carlo Friends of Sheba Medical Center from 2000 – 2006, and past recipient of the Sheba Humanitarian Award.

One of the highlights of the evening was the charity auction, conducted by Pierre Mothes, Vice-President of Sotheby's France. 120 guests bought both needed medical items as well as luxury ones such as valuable jewelry, art, a designer evening gown, vacation packages and more.

The proceeds of the evening will benefit the young patients of Sheba's Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital. Prof. Yitshak Kreiss thanked the sponsors and bidders: "Monte Carlo is a wonderful place, very cosmopolitan, and the mixture of the people here is unique. You are helping us tonight to help other people with what we are doing at Sheba."

After an exquisite dinner and the auction, there was another highlight. The young, talented and internationally celebrated operatic pop trio "Kol Esperanza" captivated the audience with their show: a mixture of classics, opera, musical and pop songs. DJ Melanie Estella, sponsored by Alberto and Alessandra Hazan and Radio Monte Carlo, rocked the dance floor till late into the night.