UNITED HATZALAH’S ANNUAL GALA

Aventura, Florida On December 20th, 2022, Friends of United Hatzalah hosted its 3rd Annual Gala in Miami, Florida, at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort with a special performance by renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Eric Bouskila and the ARI Foundation were present during the event to proudly support Israel's national volunteer-based EMS organization, United Hatzalah. At the event, Bocelli and his wife Veronica were honored by the organization with the "Humanitarian Award" to recognize the couples' contributions to lifesaving. Also honored by the President and Founder of United Hatzalah, Eli Beer, were philanthropists Margo and Yoram Cohen who received the "L'Dor V'Dor Award" for their ongoing support of the organization's activities.

The event gathered dignitaries, elected officials, community leaders, and philanthropists from the United States, Latin America and Israel, who collectively helped raise $13 million for the organization. United Hatzalah of Israel is the largest independent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) non-profit organization comprised solely of volunteers who provide free emergency medical first-response throughout Israel. The more than 6,200 volunteers at United Hatzalah are available around the clock, every day of the year to provide medical service to all people regardless of race, religion or place of origin. The donations received at the event will help obtain ambulances, ambucycles, medical equipment and training for additional volunteers.

Eric Bouskila at the Andrea Bocelli's guitar auction during the Friends of United Hatzalah's 3rd Annual Gala in Miami, Florida

At the highlight of the event, the world's most beloved tenor, who performed accompanied by his daughter and two other performers, for the crowd of over 1200 guests, agreed to auction off the guitar he was playing during the performance. In a moving gesture of utmost kindness, Bocelli's daughter Virginia addresses the audience and says she has an idea to raise more funds for the organization, but she first has to ask her father for permission. After the 10-year-old leans over to whisper her fundraising idea to her father, he nods in agreement, and they announce the auction of the guitar in his hands. The auction initially raised a whopping $360,000, which was then doubled by the donation for a second guitar thanks to the generosity of Eric Bouskila and the ARI Foundation.

"Your support will help us train so many more volunteers in the Herzliya area and will allow us to purchase more medical supplies" writes Eli Beer in a personal email to Mr. Bouskila, to which he adds "Thank you for partnering with me in my lifesaving mission."

ARI Foundation is the philanthropic arm of ARI Financial Group that supports strategic social initiatives and organizations that promote our communities' development and overall well-being. Communities give us our roots and diversity; giving back is a way to show gratitude. "My wife and I fell in love with the cause to help and save lives" said Eric Bouskila, Founder and CEO of ARI Financial Group and the ARI Foundation, adding "I am blessed to be in a position to be able to contribute to United Hatzalah in their lifesaving mission."

To learn more about our foundation, visit ARI Foundation, or email us at info@ari-fg.com to let us know how you would like to get involved.

Click to watch a video with the gala highlights.