A Home for the Heart: Honoring Heroes and Building a Legacy at the Healing Hearts Gala
Supporters, friends, and community leaders gathered at the Panthers’ Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium for the Healing Hearts Gala, an inspiring evening celebrating unity, compassion, and support. Over 700 attendees, representing all facets of Judaism, came together to honor Healing Hearts’ work and unveil plans for a permanent home—the future Healing Hearts Center.
Internationally acclaimed singer Shulem Lemmer set an uplifting tone with sublime performances, opening with a tribute to the IDF that brought guests to their feet. Lemmer’s music wove seamlessly through dedications, creating an atmosphere of unity and reflection.
The first dedication of the evening honored Avery Cohen, ob”m, a young boy who lost his battle with cancer this past year. Avery’s love for sports and his vibrant spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. In his memory, Avery’s Kitchen was established as a lasting tribute to his legacy. Following an emotional video presentation, Avery’s parents Sam and Elana received an earnest message from Florida Panthers Captain and Stanley Cup Champion Aleksander Barkov, touching the hearts of all in attendance.
The program continued with a heartfelt tribute to Ariel Burgan, ob”m, whose family found comfort and support through Healing Hearts and their stay at the Denis Chessed Home during a challenging time. In Ariel’s memory, a sefer Torah was dedicated to ensure his legacy lives on. This Torah will be housed at Congregation Healing Hearts, located near Memorial Regional Hospital, where it will be part of many baby namings. In one of the evening’s most poignant moments, Ariel’s father joined Rabbi Klein and others in a stirring dance, embracing the enduring spirit of devotion embodied by the Torah.
Rabbi Yaakov Garfinkel shared a personal story of how his own family was supported by Healing Hearts, setting the stage to introduce Rabbi Yochanon Klein, who then highlighted the evening’s centerpiece: the planned Healing Hearts Center, a true Home for the Heart. This new facility will become the central hub for medical support, featuring a commercial kitchen to prepare meals for patients and their families, as well as a welcoming space for people to volunteer, connect, and foster acts of kindness. Guests were inspired to support the center’s completion, with dedication opportunities presented to help bring the vision to life. A remarkable $1.3 million was raised for the center’s construction, moving closer to the $3.5 million goal needed to complete this transformative project.
One of the evening’s profound moments featured young Yael Portell, whose inspiring recovery journey touched everyone present. Surrounded by her family, Yael was surprised with a giant teddy bear—a larger version of the one that had comforted her throughout her hospital stay. Joining her on stage were Yanky Fekete from Vital One, who provided transportation for the family during their challenging time, and Rabbi Goldman from Chabad of Gainesville, who offered them support and hospitality.
The evening honored remarkable individuals whose contributions have greatly impacted the community. David and Chayala Salomon, recipients of the Pillar of Generosity Award, were recognized for their unwavering commitment to providing kosher food in hospitals. Naftali and Leora Klein, awarded the Heart of Gold Award, were celebrated for their dedication to chessed, which has made them beloved figures in the community. The final honoree, Dr. Yehuda Deutsch, received the Guardian of the Heart Award for his compassionate work as a hematologist/oncologist—a true healer and hero to many.
The evening concluded with Rabbi Yochanon Klein expressing gratitude to the Healing Hearts team and supporters whose efforts have made Healing Hearts a cornerstone of hope for countless families. The Healing Hearts Gala was a powerful testament to the unifying value of chessed, where the richly diverse crowd of attendees was transformed into a community–a community of heart.
Healing Hearts is currently raising $3.5 million to build a permanent home—a sanctuary of Chessed, support, and love for South Florida’s Jewish communities. Visit hhflorida.com/home.
Healing Hearts is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization. Tax ID – 20-5614198
