The setting was especially fitting. As both a symbol of moral clarity and a beacon of inclusivity, the Museum of Tolerance offered the ideal backdrop for an evening that honored life-saving courage while championing a climate of acceptance and solidarity. Throughout the night, speakers emphasized how the Museum’s mission—fostering dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect—is intertwined with United Hatzalah’s lifesaving work that knows no boundaries of faith, race, or nationality.

As such, the Jerusalem Award was presented to philanthropist and MOTJ Chairman Larry A. Mizel, whose leadership has made the Museum a cornerstone of moral education and civic engagement in the capital. The award recognized not only his vision for the Museum, but also his lifelong commitment to advancing Jewish values and human dignity.

Also honored that evening was U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who received the 2025 United Hatzalah Defender of Israel Award for his decades-long support of Israel. In one of his first major public appearances in his new post, where he was introduced by philanthropist Sylvan Adams and honored by Dr. Miriam Adelson and Pastor John Hagee, Huckabee delivered a rousing address that underscored the stakes facing Israel today.

“Somewhere tonight in Tehran, the supreme leader is probably meeting with the key people around him, and they are discussing what they have been talking about for 46 years, and that’s how to murder everyone in Israel and all the people in this room,” he said. “We should take them seriously. While they're speaking tonight about death, destruction, and darkness, we're sitting here, and we're talking about how to bring life.”

He also emphasized Israel’s right to “exist in safety and freedom” and affirmed that Jerusalem is the “indisputable, indivisible capital of the Jewish State.” His words echoed across a room filled with those committed to turning vision into action.

Huckabee also praised the Museum’s From Darkness to Light exhibit as “a testament to the triumph of hope,” and lauded United Hatzalah for living out those values daily. “They don’t ask if someone is Jewish, Muslim, or Christian. They ask, ‘How can I help?’ That’s what real tolerance looks like.”
United Hatzalah founder Eli Beer opened the evening with a sober reminder of the pain still gripping the nation. “This year has been hard for all of us,” he said. “We are dealing with the worst enemy of humanity. But we will prevail, and our children and grandchildren will not suffer what we have.”
Through the haze of grief and tension, stories of resilience shone brightly. One such story was that of Shalom, a volunteer EMT who rushed to Kfar Azza—a small community only a few kilometers from the Gaza border—still wearing his tallit, to offer aid in the south. Amid gunfire and chaos, he was handed two crying infants by a soldier. “Take care of them,” the soldier said. That moment changed Shalom’s life—he joined a combat unit shortly afterward. His story, one of many among United Hatzalah’s 8,000 volunteers, exemplifies the movement’s heart: selfless service across divides of faith, background, or nationality.

One of the most poignant moments came when Einat Avitan, mother of fallen IDF soldier Staff Sgt. Yair Avitan, rose to speak. “His life was cut short,” she said, her voice steady with love and loss, “but his values live on.” 

More than a venue, the Museum of Tolerance offered a resonant backdrop for the night’s dual themes: the enduring bond between Israel and the United States, and the imperative to build a society rooted in respect, compassion, and shared humanity. On a day that marks the rebirth of the Jewish state, the Museum stood as the ideal setting to celebrate both national pride and a climate of inclusion where all are welcome.

As the gala drew to a close, one truth became clear: the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem was not only a venue—it was a message. On Yom HaAtzmaut, it embodied Israel’s resilience and optimism, and offered a vision of what it means to build a society where all are valued and protected.