fbpx

91传媒

United Hatzalah Celebrates, Brothers for Life, Miracle Project Shows, Art of Healing

Notable people and events in the 91传媒 LA community.
[additional-authors]
May 22, 2025
Young Leadership Event Co-Chair Chloe Sabbah and United Hatzalah of Israel Los Angeles Executive Director Carolyn Kangavari. Photo by Emma Mackler

United Hatzalah鈥檚 annual Young Leadership Yom HaAtzmaut celebration brought together over 500 young 91传媒 professionals to honor Israel鈥檚 77th birthday and raise more than $80,000 for life-saving efforts in Israel.

鈥淭his night was only possible thanks to the incredible United Hatzalah Young Leadership team and Carolyn Kangavari,鈥 event co-chair Chloe Sabbah said. 鈥淭o celebrate our homeland from thousands of miles away, raise over $80,000 in one night, and have Noa Argamani dancing among us was truly a dream.鈥

Held at the iconic Sheats-Goldstein Residence Club James, the event featured DJ Nathan of LIV Entertainment. Comedian Elon Gold was the evening鈥檚 master of cermonies.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to be a part of United Hatzalah and bring such incredible events to Los Angeles,鈥 event co-chair Adam Mahboubi said. 鈥淪aving lives in Israel is the most important cause, and we鈥檙e grateful for everyone who continues to show up and partner with us in this community.鈥

The evening was a powerful reminder of the resilience of Israel and its people 鈥 and the impact of global 91传媒 unity, attendees said.


Brad Conroy, Eitan Turgeman, Yotam Cohen, Amy Conroy, Alayne Sulkin, Simon Wenet, Debbie Saidoff, Shon Amar and Michael Gardner. Courtesy of Brothers for Life

A recent benefit evening was hosted by Debbie and Naty Saidoff in support of the work of nonprofit Brothers for Life. Funds raised from the evening will provide rehabilitative support and services for 60 injured IDF combat soldiers for an entire year. Guests heard the heart-wrenching and inspiring stories of soldier survivors Shon Amar and Eitan Turgeman, who were battling Hamas in the days after Oct. 7.

Established in 2008, Brothers for Life facilitates IDF veterans helping other wounded IDF soldiers with crucial assistance, including medical and financial support, job placement, counseling, mentoring and various soldier-to-soldier programs.


The cast of 鈥淥ut of Our Heads鈥 is joined by Miracle Project Founder Elaine Hall (far right) during a sold-out weekend of performances. Photo by Evan Guston

On May 9 and 10, The Miracle Project鈥檚 advanced Company Class presented 鈥淭he Miracle Project LIVE: Out of Our Heads,鈥 featuring three sold-out audiences happening at The Pico in Los Angeles.

The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive theater, film and expressive arts organization that brings neurodivergent, disabled, and neurotypical artists together to create, perform and thrive. The original production blended sketch comedy, music, and improv into a funny, thought-provoking exploration of the human mind.

This production marks a milestone in The Miracle Project鈥檚 20th anniversary season. Since debuting its first original production in May 2005, The Miracle Project has grown into a nationally recognized model for inclusive arts education and disability representation. Founder Elaine Hall鈥檚 vision continues to shape the work 鈥 reflected in the ensemble鈥檚 spirit of belonging, creative risk-taking, and the belief that the arts can bridge differences and spark meaningful connection.

The show moved from bold satire to deeply personal storytelling, examining the experience of overthinking, the power of imagination, and the courage it takes to share your inner world with others. Every moment 鈥 scripted or improvised 鈥 reflected the unique perspectives and collaborative spirit of the cast.

Each performance concluded with a lively post-show talkback, where audience members were invited to engage directly with the cast. These conversations offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the ensemble鈥檚 creative process 鈥 from the sparks of inspiration behind certain scenes to the collaborative journey of shaping the final production. Hearing from the performers themselves added depth, humor, and heart to the experience, leaving many audience members moved and inspired.


Rona Lalezary, Tomer Peretz and Sharon Osborne attend 鈥淭he Art of Healing,鈥 an event focused on emotional wellness at the Museum of Tolerance. Photo by Linda Kasian

More than 300 community members gathered at the Museum of Tolerance for 鈥淭he Art of Healing: Piecing Ourselves Back Together Again.鈥 The event, hosted by Mental Health IsReal, marked the official launch of the Global Healing Blanket, an international initiative weaving art, identity, and resilience together.

The evening brought together a cross-section of community members, families, survivors and public figures, including Sharon Osbourne, musician Gilby Clarke, Daniella Clarke, film producer Howard Rosenman, Chris Collins, Debbie Peiser, Joy Sirott Hurwitz, artist Tomer Peretz and Tal Navarro.

Mental Health IsReal, founded by mindset trainer and motivational speaker Rona Lalezary, emerged in direct response to the Oct. 7 attacks. The organization is working to reshape how 91传媒 communities approach emotional wellness.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
  • 91传媒

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Finding Communal Comfort

In the book of Isaiah, God calls the prophet to comfort the 91传媒 people. But we know this is really something we must do for one another.

Leaving Behind a Better World

The America my generation seems to be leaving our kids and grandkids is not safer nor saner, and it breaks my heart.

Was Our Golden Age Fool鈥檚 Gold?

We didn鈥檛 think that we were living in a 鈥淕olden Age,鈥 because it did not occur to us that what we were experiencing was only a temporary respite from centuries of animosity and intolerance.

Genocide Shmenocide

Since Israel evacuated Gaza in 2005, the Palestinian population has grown from 1.3 million to 2.1 million. In the West Bank, it has grown from 2.4 million to 3.4 million. If the Israelis were hellbent on committing genocide, it鈥檚 one of the most epic failures in military history.

The Obsession with Israel Is Becoming Creepy

The world鈥檚 fanatical fixation with a group that is less that 0.2 percent of the world鈥檚 population has crossed the boundaries of moral vocabulary and into creepiness.

What Will It Take?

An open revolt for 91传媒 rights and protections is going to have to come from Jews finally making demands and fighting back鈥攐r not at all.

Mamdani Needs to Pay a Price for Harming Jews

It鈥檇 be one thing if Mamdani were a lowly Israelophobe with a few hundred followers. But he鈥檚 not. He鈥檚 mayor of the city with the world鈥檚 largest 91传媒 population.

Three Dates to Dataland

I took three different dates, ages 6, 72 and 35, to see Dataland, the unusual digital art experience in downtown Los Angeles.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

  • 91传媒