Israeli-American Council's (IAC) star-studded virtual concert fundraiser raised $325K Sunday night. Proceeds will go directly towards providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and food to health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate communities in the US and around the world. Even in the face of PPE supply shortages; nurses, doctors, and hospital staff continue to risk their lives every day.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The IAC Care initiative event was hosted by Israeli actress Shani Atias, and opened with a live-portrait painting of photographer Ziv Koren by artist Tomer Peretz. The concert featured songs by Israeli stars Idan Raichel, David Broza, Rotem Cohen, Shlomi Shabat, and Keren Peles, and more. Due to social distancing rules, all artists performed from their homes.
"The IAC is grateful to these Israeli artists and more than 400 volunteers of the IAC Care nationwide community who have demonstrated a great showing of solidarity in this time of crisis," said Shoham Nicolet, CEO and co-founder of the Israeli-American Council.
"Beyond the direct support to our heroes – the medical teams – tonight also demonstrated the strong bond between the people of Israel and the United States and the role of our community as a living bridge between the two. I'm humbled and inspired by the generosity and spirit of all the volunteers and supporters who made this effort possible."
In addition to the fundraising concert, the IAC Care initiative has recruited volunteers to deliver supplies such as face shields, N95 masks, and hygiene kits, in addition to warm meals, to hospitals across the organization's 20 regions since the onset of the pandemic.
To date, the organization has adopted over 60 hospitals nationwide and provided them with thousands of meals and medical supplies.
A sense of collective responsibility is at the core of the IAC Care initiative, which aims to build bridges and foster a culture of giving by matching volunteers with organizations and individuals in need of support.
The IAC has become the fastest-growing American-Jewish organization in the US, dedicated to building an engaged and united Israeli-American community that strengthens the Israeli and Jewish identity of the next generation and the bond between their people.
The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom and is a major IAC donor.
