The highly anticipated evening, which will also feature Netflix star Lior Raz, will support Israel’s national emergency medical service and honor its heroic medics
Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Global President of Magen David Adom and Israel’s Former Ambassador to the UN, will be the honoree at a special dinner and program on March 27th in Newport Beach. Co- sponsored by Temple Bat Yahm, the evening will also feature a presentation by Lior Raz, star of the Netflix hit, Fauda.
The elegant event aims to honor the lifesaving work of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national ambulance, EMS, and blood services organization. After a VIP hour and dinner, guests will enjoy a moving and informative program, including an address by Ambassador Erdan
As global president of Magen David Adom, Erdan represents MDA on the international stage and advocates on its behalf at global forums and events. He assumed his role in September 2024, shortly after completing a four-year tenure as Israel’s ambassador to the UN, where he was recognized as an impassioned defender of Israel. He previously served in Israel’s Knesset for 17 years and held several key positions including home front defense minister, minister of public security, and member of Israel’s Security Cabinet, leading many important reforms in all roles.
Ambassador Erdan has long been an advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. During his tenure at the UN, he initiated and passed a critical resolution in the General Assembly combating Holocaust denial—making it only the second time in history that an Israel-led resolution was passed at the UN. He was also elected to serve as the vice president of the General Assembly, and from January until November 2021 served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States. After the Hamas attacks of October 7, Ambassador Erdan emerged as one of the strongest voices for the victims of terror and the right of Israel to defend itself.
He will offer insights on the current situation in Israel, reflecting on his many years of staunch support for the Jewish State on the national stage, and will speak about the ways Magen David Adom functions as “the backbone of Israel’s resilience,” protecting those inside its borders as the IDF defends its borders from enemies.
Guests will also have a chance to hear from actor and producer Lior Raz, who many know best as Doron from the hit Netflix drama, Fauda. Born and raised in Jerusalem, Raz is an actor, screenwriter and co-CEO of Faraway Road Productions. He is known worldwide for portraying Doron Kabilio in Fauda, a series he created with journalist Avi Issacharoff. The pair also created Ghosts of Beirut for Showtime, and the Netflix series Hit and Run, starring Raz.
As an actor, Raz starred in films and series such as 6 Underground (Netflix), Operation Finale (Netflix), A Body That Works (Netflix) and Crowded Room (Apple). Most recently, Raz can be seen in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2. He also served as president of the Jury for the 2023 Cannseries Festival and is currently serving as an official ambassador for the International Judo Federation.
For more information about the upcoming AFMDA event in Newport Beach, contact Elana Michael at emichael@afmda.org or 619.489.0329.
https://afmda.org/event/newport2025/
Co-Sponsor: Temple Bat Yahm
Cost $360.00 per person
When: Thursday, March 27, 2025
6:00 PM – Dinner reception*
Where: Location available upon registration
Newport Beach, CA
*Kosher dietary laws strictly observed
Business Casual attire
Self parking is available