The Israeli-American Council (IAC) will hold an online fundraiser this Sunday, May 3, at 5 p.m. PST, to raise money to support health care workers on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The fundraiser will include a star-studded virtual concert featuring some of Israel's most well-known musicians.
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As the pandemic devastates communities in the US and around the world, nurses, doctors, and hospital staff continue to risk their lives every day for the wellbeing of others – even in the face of personal protective equipment shortages.
Artist Tomer Peretz will open with a live-portrait painting of photographer Ziv Koren. The painting will be donated to a New York-based hospital.
The event will be hosted by Israeli actress Shani Atias, and will feature musical performances by Idan Raichel, David Broza, Rotem Cohen, Shlomi Shabat, and Keren Peles – all will be broadcasting from the confines of their homes.
All proceeds from the benefit show will go directly towards supporting health care workers.
"Over the past two months, our IAC Care program has been embarking on incredible initiatives around the country to help support health care workers during these extraordinary times, because they are the heroes who deserve unwavering support for what they have had to go through," said Shoham Nicolet, CEO and co-founder of the Israeli-American Council.
"I'm humbled by the spirit of our community, already adopting over 40 hospitals nationwide and providing them with thousands of meals and medical supplies. This event will be the backwind and fuel for their work."
Since the onset of the pandemic, the IAC Care initiative has recruited volunteers to deliver supplies such as face shields, medical and N95 masks, and hygiene kits, as well as warm meals, to hospitals across the organization's 20 regions.
An IAC volunteer in Boston even created his own 3D-printed ear guards, designed to alleviate pain caused by wearing a surgical mask for extended periods of time.
A sense of collective responsibility is at the core of the initiative, which is unique and aims to bring Israeli-Americans and Jewish-Americans together towards a common goal: To build bridges and foster a culture of giving by matching volunteers with organizations and individuals in need of support.
Nicolet stressed that in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic "the unity instilled by this initiative is more important than ever"
The IAC has become the fastest-growing American-Jewish organization in the US.
The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom and is a major IAC donor.
