From Darkness to Light: Join the AFMDA Miami Gala 2025 Featuring Eli Sharabi and Top Honorees on Dec 15

Photo Credit: Sharon Dery

Miami’s philanthropic calendar reaches its emotional and cultural peak every December, but this year, the 2025 AFMDA Miami Gala is shaping up to be the most meaningful chapter yet. Returning on December 15 to the Miami Beach Convention Center, the annual celebration hosted by American Friends of Magen David Adom is more than a high-profile fundraiser—it is a moment where inspiration, compassion, and community come together to illuminate the extraordinary impact of Israel’s lifesaving emergency response system.

The evening’s centerpiece will be the presence of Eli Sharabi, whose harrowing story has reverberated across the globe. After surviving 491 days in Hamas captivity and enduring unimaginable loss, Sharabi emerged with a message of strength that has touched millions. His memoir, now a New York Times bestseller and named one of Time Magazine’s “must-read books of 2025,” is a profound testament to resilience. His appearance at the gala is expected to be one of the night’s most moving moments, offering guests a rare opportunity to hear from a man whose courage has become a symbol of hope.

This year’s event will be guided by global creator and philanthropist Valeria Lipovetsky, whose presence adds a dynamic and modern voice to the gala’s mission. The evening is co-chaired by Eli and Tami Dadon along with Terri and Jeffrey Sonn, underscoring the deep community support behind AFMDA’s efforts. The gala will also celebrate Julia and Elie Deshe as Young Leadership Honorees, awarding them the 2025 L’Dor v Dor Lifesaver Award in recognition of their commitment to humanitarian impact and future-focused leadership.

Over the years, AFMDA’s Miami Gala has grown into one of the city’s premier philanthropic nights, known for its flawless production, emotional storytelling, and elevated experience. Guests are drawn not only by the evening’s elegance—complete with striking design, renowned entertainment, and luxury culinary offerings—but by its deeper purpose. Every moment of the night serves to support Magen David Adom, the organization responsible for Israel’s national EMS system and one of the world’s most respected emergency response models.

Magen David Adom’s mission is upheld by more than 34,000 volunteers representing a remarkable cross-section of Israel’s diverse communities—Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and Bedouins—working together with unity and urgency. For 95 years, these teams have been the backbone of Israel’s emergency response readiness, saving lives through ambulance services, Medicycles, advanced blood testing, trauma training, neonatal care, mass-casualty management, and global disaster relief. The gala’s theme, “From Darkness to Light,” reflects not only this organizational purpose but the global call for resilience during a moment where humanitarian action matters more than ever.

Mike Driquez, AFMDA’s director of strategic fundraising and community relations for the Southeast Region, expressed the significance of the night within Miami’s cultural landscape. As Miami rises as an international hub for innovation, business, and philanthropy, the gala mirrors the city’s growing global voice. Driquez describes it not as a celebration alone, but as an opportunity for the community to strengthen Magen David Adom’s around-the-clock commitment to saving lives. It is an elegant gathering with a profound heartbeat—a reminder that philanthropy can fuel real action, real support, and real change.

Every dollar raised at the 2025 Miami Gala directly supports critical operations across Israel. From emergency transports and 24/7 paramedic support to maintaining the national blood supply, neonatal care, and large-scale disaster readiness, the evening’s impact stretches far beyond any ballroom. It reaches families, communities, and moments of crisis where MDA’s work makes all the difference.

This year’s gathering is expected to sell out quickly, with tables and sponsorships already extremely limited. Guests who attend can expect a night filled with emotion, purpose, and the unmistakable feeling of being part of something larger than themselves—a shared commitment to saving lives and uplifting those on the front lines. The invitation is simple: join Miami’s philanthropic leaders on December 15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center for a night that truly lives up to its promise.

As interest builds, the call to action is already clear. Anyone wishing to secure their place at the 2025 AFMDA Miami Gala should reserve promptly at afmda.org/event/miami-gala-2025 before the final tables are gone. In a year defined by global change and profound challenges, the gala offers a moment of unity, beauty, and unwavering support for one of the world’s most essential humanitarian missions.

Event Details:

Date: December 15, 2025
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
Theme: From Darkness to Light
Attire: Cocktail
Tables and sponsorships are extremely limited.
Reserve at: https://afmda.org/event/miami-gala-2025