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  • Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation Hosts the “Love Always Wins” Memorial Gala Honoring the Megera Family

    Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation Hosts the “Love Always Wins” Memorial Gala Honoring the Megera Family

    Miami, FL – November 20, 2024 – The Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation is deeply honored to welcome the Megera family as special guests at the highly anticipated “Love Always Wins” One-Year Memorial Gala. The event will be held on November 21, 2024, at the Temple House in Miami, marking a year since the tragic attacks of October 7, 2023.

    The Megera family, whose lives were forever altered by the loss of Avi Megera in the horrific Hamas attacks, represents the resilience and courage of countless families impacted by these devastating events. In a poignant moment of the evening, Shalev Megera, Avi’s eldest daughter, will deliver heartfelt remarks honoring her father’s legacy and expressing gratitude for the global support extended to her family and others like them.

    Shalev Megera, Daughter of Avi Megera

    Below is the full text of Shalev’s speech:

    “Ladies and gentlemen,

    Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak here today. My name is Shalev Megera, and I am deeply honored to be here, surrounded by people who have the power to make a difference in so many lives.

    My story begins in Israel, a place that has always been home to me and my family. My father was a kind and brave man. He worked hard every day to support us and believed in the strength of our community. He taught me about courage, compassion, and resilience. But one day, everything changed. A terror attack took him from us. Just like that, my father was gone.

    Losing him left a hole in my heart that I don’t think will ever fully heal. But as time has passed, I have learned something important: I am not alone. There are people like you—Jewish community and business leaders with the heart and resources to make a difference—who have shown me that my pain and my story matter.

    In Israel, we face challenges daily, and for many of us, the constant threat to our safety is part of our reality. But with the support of communities like yours, we have hope. You give us the strength to keep going, to build a future, and to pursue our dreams even when we feel broken. I know that with your help, I can find the strength to carry my father’s legacy forward and create a brighter future for my family and for others like me.

    By supporting young people like me, you’re doing something powerful. You’re helping us rebuild, helping us find our paths, and showing us that our dreams don’t have to end in tragedy.

    Thank you for standing with Israel, for believing in us, and for reminding us that we are a global family.

    God bless you. God bless Israel!”

    The gala is part of Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation’s ongoing commitment to support families impacted by violence, strengthen global ties, and foster resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. Through programs like the Doron Grant for Life, the Foundation provides essential support and a platform for young individuals like Shalev to find healing and hope.

    For more information on the gala or to arrange media interviews, please contact:

    Arti Loftus
    Genesis BH Digital
    arti@genesisbhdigital.com

    For support on the ground in the US, please text Cynthia Artin, Executive Director of the Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation at +1 (845) 664-8484.

    About Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation

    Genesis Friends For Life Global Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization, alongside Genesis Friends for Life Foundation Israel, an NGO in Israel. The Foundation is committed to the long-term support and development of orphans, ensuring they receive the education, emotional support, and career opportunities they need to succeed in life.

    Genesis Friends for Life Foundation is a US-Based 501c3 non-profit organization.

    EIN number: 86-3266870

    More information is available here.

    About Genesis Business Humanity

    Genesis Club members are part of an exclusive network of respected industry leaders and entrepreneurs committed to supporting businesses that share our mission to serve humanity. Our members share a common belief that when we combine our strengths and support innovators who aim to solve society’s greatest challenges, we can make a lasting difference.

    Whether we are bringing human or financial capital to promising companies, we are focused on helping businesses scale profitably and expand in the U.S. and other major markets. We identify game-changing companies in Israel and other countries and lead them into new markets through our private, invitation-only club.

    More information is available here.

    Media Contacts:

    In the U.S.:

    Cynthia Artin

    Executive Director, Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation

    cynthiaartin@artinarts.onmicrosoft.com

    +1 845 664 8484

    In London:

    Arti Loftus

    Global Director, Marketing Communications and Media Relations

    arti@genesisbhdigital.com

    +44 7840 814 035

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  • Genesis Friends for Life Launches Charity Auction to Support October 7th Victims and Their Families

    Genesis Friends for Life Launches Charity Auction to Support October 7th Victims and Their Families

    Over the past 13 months, aid for those affected by the devastating October 7th attacks has poured into Israel in a variety of shapes and forms. Physical support, such as resources and donations, has been generously provided to alleviate the distress brought about by the gruesome assault. At the same time, millions around the world have contributed emotional support by keeping those afflicted in their thoughts, prayers, and blessings.

    At an enterprise level, philanthropic efforts have arisen in a variety of displays. For instance, the Genesis Friends for Life Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit registered in the U.S. and part of the Genesis Business Humanity family of companies, created the Doran Grant for Life program. Named in honor of Doron Aviman, the program provides Israeli orphans, widows, and their families with the vital help and support they need to heal and thrive.

    However, for all the good that these gracious endeavors have already accomplished, the implications of these appalling attacks are still felt by those in Israel. There’s still more that can be done to help the men, women, and children impacted by the conflict and to allow them to regain normalcy in their everyday lives.

    The Genesis Friends for Life Foundation knows this, which is why they are proud to announce the launch of its exclusive online charity auction as an impactful fundraising initiative, open now through November 21st, 2024. 100% of the proceeds raised through the auction, which is accessible at gffl.afrogs.org, will directly benefit orphans and widows affected by the devastating events of October 7th, 2023.

    “Our charity auction is more than a fundraising event; it is a beacon of solidarity and a tangible step toward healing for these families,” said Genesis Founder Amiel David Aviman. “In supporting this auction, Genesis members are upholding the intrinsic values that are the cornerstone of our community.”

    The Genesis Friends for Life Foundation invites Genesis Business Humanity Club members to bid on a range of coveted items, with each auction item offering bidders a unique way to contribute to this vital cause. The items include one-of-a-kind artworks by renowned artists and autographed entertainment media by popular personalities, such as John Travolta, Frank Sinatra, and others.

    On top of this, the auction will include hand-signed sports collectibles and memorabilia comprising iconic athletes such as Mike Tyson and Arnold Palmer. Luxury vacations and unique travel experiences will also be available for bidding, with trips to Hawaii, Paris, Ireland, and other extraordinary destinations available to win.

    “Each remarkable item provided by our members and supporters not only demonstrates the spirit of giving within our community but also presents an opportunity for us to leave a lasting impact,” Amiel stated.

    Hosted by founders Amiel David Aviman and Ranny Yarom, the auction acts as an extension of the organization’s mission to provide lasting support and compassion to those enduring loss and hardship. The proceeds from this auction will sustain the Doron Grant for Life, which was founded on the belief that every child and widow deserves dignity, hope, and the opportunity for a fulfilling future.

    As a program committed to fostering resilience and opportunity for families who have lost their loved ones, the Doron Grant for Life funds educational opportunities, counseling, and essential support services, empowering victims to reclaim their futures with confidence and stability.

    This auction leads to the One Year Memorial Gala, which will be held on November 21st, 2024. The gala will bring together Genesis Business Humanity Club members to honor the memories of those lost and reinforce the community’s commitment to extending support to the affected families. It will be an evening of reflection, remembrance, and renewed purpose.

    “By participating, Genesis members and supporters are doing more than acquiring cherished collectibles; they’re investing in the futures of orphans and widows whose lives were shattered on October 7th,” Amiel continued.

    For more information on the charity auction, the Doron Grant for Life, and to view auction items, please visit Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation or go directly to the auction at gffl.afrogs.org.

  • Israeli Super Stars Yaakov-Zada Daniel and Omer Hazan Stand Up for October 7 Orphans and Widows November 21 in Miami FFL Celebrity Ambassador Line Up

    Israeli Super Stars Yaakov-Zada Daniel and Omer Hazan Stand Up for October 7 Orphans and Widows November 21 in Miami FFL Celebrity Ambassador Line Up

    The Genesis Friends for Life Foundation announced today that their first Celebrity Ambassadors, Yaakov-Zada Daniel, star of the hit Netflix series Fauda and other movie and television shows, and Omer Hazan, Israeli-American actor, known for his performances in The Engineer, Al Techaki Li, and Asfur, will be headlining the October 7 Memorial Gala in Miami next month.

    This year, they are joined by the newest Friends for Life Celebrity Ambassador and Israeli Pop Star Ben El, who is donating a live performance of his greatest hits on November 21, at The Temple House in Miami Beach, where hundreds of supporters of the Foundation will gather.

    Yaakov Zada-Daniel, from the hit show Fauda, himself an orphan who has established an orphanage in Israel, earlier this year attended an event in Miami produced by the Foundation to raise funds for immediate support of orphans, widows, children, and families most affected by the October 7 terrorist attacks.

    Yaakov, who was orphaned at the age of three, grew up in the desert village of Neradim, a children’s-home and kibbutz for vulnerable kids from across Israel. He spent 15 years living with his new brothers and sisters. Today, he continues to support an orphanage, which the Foundation recently granted $10,000. He was named the first celebrity Ambassador and the face and voice of “Friends for Life” in 2023, shortly after the October 7 massacre.

    Amiel Aviman, Yaakov-Zada Daniel, Ranny Yarom, and Aaron Hammer at the inaugural Genesis BH Friends for Life Memorial Gala, October 26, 2023

    Amiel Aviman, Yaakov-Zada Daniel, Ranny Yarom, and Aaron Hammer at the inaugural Genesis BH Friends for Life Memorial Gala, October 26, 2023

    “It is an honor to represent Genesis Friends for Life Foundation and a privilege to have been one of their first grant recipients,” Zada-Daniel said. “Their vision is enhanced with innovation, using technologies the Genesis Business Humanity Club is expert in and has invested in, to identify orphans whose lives were nearly destroyed on October 7, and then engage with those orphans, the remaining members of their families if any, and ensure these orphans receive care and compassionate support. This includes providing mental health professionals, overall healthcare, education, safe and comfortable places to live, and mentorship as each orphan selected for the program is cared for through their late teens, including getting into the best universities in Israel. This is an extraordinary strategy, and one being implemented by experienced leaders with integrity, heart, and a love for Israel and Israel’s children and families.”

    Additionally, Omer Hazan, known for his acting roles in Al Techaki, The Engineer, and Asfur, who attended the event on October 25 in Miami and is also on the Foundation’s Board of Advisors, is helping raise awareness and promote the Foundation’s mission.

    Scenes from the 2023 Genesis BH Friends for Life First Memorial Gala, 2023

    “I was invited to attend one of the most moving events I’ve ever been part of on October 26 in Miami,” Hazan said, “and will never forget meeting so many friends of Israel who were so deeply committed to immediately helping those orphans, widows, children, and families near the Gaza Strip who were murdered and traumatized by Hamas terrorists. Children are the future of Israel, and this includes those children who lost their parents and other family members on October 7 and in the resulting war over the last few months. What distinguishes Genesis Friends for Life Foundation is their solid strategic approach, their commitment to for life, and their presence in both the U.S. and Israel where partnerships have already formed, and support is flowing.”

    To sponsor or purchase tickets, please visit  https://www.eventcreate.com/e/love-always-wins. For more information about Genesis Friends for Life Foundation and the Doron Grant for Life, please visit https://genesisbhffl.org/en_us/.

    The organization announced Ben El’s support earlier this month. He is well known as one-half of the highly successful duo Static and has earned acclaim for his extensive solo material. His performance promises to be an unforgettable highlight of the evening, representing Friends for Life and raising support for orphans and widows impacted by the horrific attacks on October 7 with the same passion that has made him a beloved figure in the music industry.

    Amiel David Aviman, co-founder and Managing Partner, Genesis Business Humanity Group and Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation

    “We are incredibly honored to welcome Ben El to our Friends for Life Advisory Board and are deeply grateful for his generosity as he invites his millions of followers and fans to learn more about and support our mission,” said Amiel David Aviman, Co-founder Managing Partner, and Chairman of the Board of Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation, which is headquartered in Miami.

    Together with the Foundation’s first two celebrity ambassadors, Yaakov-Zada Daniel (award-winning star of the Netflix hit Fauda) and Omer Hazan (known for Al Techaki, The Engineer, Asfur, and other film and television roles), Ben El will be a lend his heart and voice to the cause, including sharing stories of the orphans and widows whose lives are being transformed through the kindness of sponsors, donors and other supporters.

    “When I was approached by Amiel and learned about the incredible work the team in Israel is doing on the ground and learned about the first few families who are benefitting, I immediately agreed to contribute what I can,” Ben El said. “I am humbly honored to join the Friends for Life team and look forward to performing on The Temple House stage as part of the Memorial and Gala this November.”

    This second Annual Memorial and Gala is dedicated to honoring and uplifting the lives forever changed by the devastating Hamas terrorist attacks. On that tragic day, as the nation observed the sacred holiday of Shmini Atzeret, Hamas terrorists launched a violent, bloody attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, and killing and wounding over 1,000 innocent people.

    Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation’s mission is to identify, serve, follow, and continuously support the Genesis family of orphans into their adulthood; this is an innovation that will make a tremendous difference in every orphan’s life, including finding career opportunities in the Israeli tech sector – from internships to high-paying jobs.

    “We are honored and grateful for the continuing and intense support Yaakov and Omer bring to our Advisory Board as special members, and we look forward to attracting additional celebrities to this important mission, supporting orphans, widows, children, and families in Israel in the wake of the horrific massacre,” said Amiel Aviman, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Genesis Business Humanity and Co-founder and Co-Chair of Genesis Friends for Life Foundation based in Miami.

    “We are bringing immediate and ongoing resources to orphans, widows, children, families, and small communities in Israel during and following the war, and the support of Yaakov and Omer is priceless as we continue to raise money and implement projects in Israel in real-time,” said Ranny Yarom, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Genesis Business Humanity and Co-founder and Co-Chair of Genesis Friends for Life Foundation based in Miami.

    Yarom is leading all projects on the ground in Israel, working with community leaders and the IDF (as a retired Colonel and entrepreneur), and ensuring resources go directly to those most affected by the brutality and destruction near the Gaza border.

  • Israeli Superstar Ben El To Perform at the Genesis Friends for Life Memorial Gala in Miami on November 21

    Israeli Superstar Ben El To Perform at the Genesis Friends for Life Memorial Gala in Miami on November 21

    Today, the Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation announced that they have expanded its Celebrity Ambassadors program with the addition of one of Israel’s most popular musical artists, Ben El Tavori.

    “We are incredibly honored to welcome Ben El to our Friends for Life Advisory Board and are deeply grateful for his generosity as he invites his millions of followers and fans to learn more about and support our mission,” said Amiel David Aviman, Co-founder Managing Partner, and Chairman of the Board of Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation, which is headquartered in Miami.

    Tavori is well known as one-half of the highly successful duo Static, having brought the celebrity pedigree and golden voice to the act as the son of the famous Israeli singer Shimi Tavori. His childhood included being a part of the short-lived reality TV show, “The Tavori’s.” Ben El split with his musical partner Static in 2021 but has since earned acclaim for his extensive solo material.

    As a celebrity ambassador, Ben El will showcase his musical talents and strong connection to Israel’s musical and cultural scene when he performs live on November 21 in Miami Beach for Genesis Friends for Life’s One Year Memorial Gala Event.

     “When I was approached by Amiel and learned about the incredible work the team in Israel is doing on the ground and learned about the first few families who are benefitting, I immediately agreed to contribute what I can,” Ben El said. “I am humbly honored to join the Friends for Life team and look forward to performing on The Temple House stage as part of the Memorial and Gala this November.”

    His performance promises to be an unforgettable highlight of the evening, representing Friends for Life and raising support for orphans and widows impacted by the horrific attacks on October 7 with the same passion that has made him a beloved figure in the music industry.

    “This One Year Memorial Gala is not just a tribute to those impacted, but a way forward for those who were and continue to be affected by this tragedy,” said Eli Chalfon, co-founder and Managing Partner of Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation. “Ben El’s presence and performance are very meaningful, and his global following beyond the November 21 event will help us raise support for years to come.”

    Together with the Foundation’s first two celebrity ambassadors, Yaakov-Zada Daniel (award-winning star of the Netflix hit Fauda) and Omer Hazan (known for Al Techaki, The Engineer, Asfur, and other film and television roles), who were named celebrity ambassadors in February, Ben El will be a lend his heart and voice to the cause, including sharing stories of the orphans and widows whose lives are being transformed through the kindness of sponsors, donors and other supporters.

    “Both stars attended last year’s event on October 26 at RED South Beach,” said Ranny Yarom, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Friends for Life and head of operations on the ground in Israel. “The support and involvement of such influential public figures significantly amplifies awareness, ultimately leading to more significant funding and aid for orphans affected by these tragedies.”

    Along with the celebrity appearances, the first recipients of the Foundations’ Doran Grant for Life program, who are already benefiting from the generous support, and the first family, including a mother and her four children, will be in attendance on November 21.

    The Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation hopes that with the help of Bel El, they’ll be able to host another successful fundraiser to change the lives of Israelis affected by the conflict for the better.

    Overall, with the support and encouragement from celebrities like Tavori, Friends for Life looks to substantially aid more families, like the recipients of the Doran Grant for Life program, through troubling and challenging times.

    “All the funds raised from this event will enable these children to have a high-quality education with consistent emotional support and development for personal growth and will ensure they enter their adult lives financially independent and strongly supported in their communities,” said Dr. Lior Aviman, CEO of Genesis Friends for Life, an NGO in Israel. Sponsorships and tickets are available here.

  • A Year Later, A Week Later: October 7 in Sderot

    A Year Later, A Week Later: October 7 in Sderot

    Last Monday, I spent the day with families in Sderot whose lives were torn apart by the unspeakable violence brought upon them on October 7, 2023.

    A year later, after all the tears, the sharp pain, and the sadness that has seeped into us for a year now, we can take a deep breath again.

    As a people, as a nation, as a society, as families, as individuals? How will we perceive ourselves, and how will we reshape who we are? These questions will be answered by our actions.

    The families Genesis Friends for Life Foundation are supporting have experienced a deep, painful, and shattering change.

    A shift in consciousness reflected not only in the emotional pain caused by the loss of a loved one but also in their sense of security and safety in the country and in those responsible for the security of Israel’s citizens.

    I have no pretension or intention to make a political statement here, but rather to reflect a mental, psychological, emotional, and conscious state that demands of us, as a society, deep introspection, but more importantly, vigorous and meaningful corrective actions.

    On the one hand, a reckoning of our ability to endure such intense pain and suffering, and on the other hand, a plan rooted in acts of kindness stemming from the desire to instill hope in those affected by the events of October 7.

    A year after this terrible trauma, those who are able must shift to a discourse of hope, a discourse of renewal, a pedagogy of hope, a conversation that instills security and provides a clear and safe future for those who need it. On October 7, I visited the Magira family in Sderot, who lost the father of the family, Avi Magera, of blessed memory.

    I shared with Avi’s son, Shaked (may he live long and happy years), about the loss of my brother, Roni Mizrahi, of blessed memory, who was killed in the First Lebanon War.

    Shaked asked me, “So how do you cope with such a loss for so many years?” It was a question that surprised me but did not deter me from responding frankly: There is never truly a complete erasure or total overcoming of the pain of losing a beloved and cherished person. Never.

    You learn to live alongside the pain, with the longing and deep sorrow. Over time, you learn to grow stronger. You learn that acts of kindness, supporting others, and doing for those in sorrow give you immense strength to cope with your own grief.

    Genesis Friends for Life Israel has made it its mission to instill hope in the hearts of orphans, widows, and widowers. In every area of action, whether psychological, educational, or leadership-based, we seek to point to a moment in the future that is better, more determined, and more resilient.

    This does not mean in any way to deny, obscure, or heaven forbid diminish or belittle the pain and sorrow. On the contrary, despite the pain and sorrow, we try to lift our heads and look forward.

    An optimistic stance can somewhat ease the grief of these families and offer them a sensitive yet determined path to moving forward toward better future goals.

    The concept of kindness, based on the idea that giving from your own light enhances the light in the world and does not diminish your own, is a Jewish Hasidic belief that has long served as the glue uniting Jewish communities across the world.

     “One who kindles a light from another, it shines, and the original is not diminished” (Bamidbar Rabbah, Parasha 13). I sincerely hope that we will succeed in kindling a light of hope in the hearts of the families who have been grappling with the immense sorrow and pain of October 7 for a year now and will forever struggle to process their deep losses. Please join us in supporting these families – the widows, the children, the loved ones who remain.

    Dr. Lior Aviman

    CEO of Genesis Israel

  • Avi Megera: A Story of Love, Loss, and Resilience in the Wake of October 7th’s Horrific Tragedy and Trauma

    Avi Megera: A Story of Love, Loss, and Resilience in the Wake of October 7th’s Horrific Tragedy and Trauma

    The city of Sderot has always stood as a symbol of perseverance. However, for the Megera family, it became the center of unimaginable loss on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched an attack that would change their lives forever. Avi Megera (z”l), a beloved father of four and a devoted husband was taken from his family that day, but his legacy of love, dedication, and resilience continues to shine through the darkness.

    On that fateful morning, Avi was doing something he loved—riding his motorcycle with a group of friends. For Avi, these moments were a release, a time to embrace the freedom of the open road and connect with a passion that balanced his busy life. But as they rode out of Sderot, a group of terrorists ambushed them. Avi and several other bikers were shot in cold blood; their lives were cut short as violence spread through the streets of the city.

    Avi, 48, left behind a family that adored him. His wife, Michal, and their four children—Shaked, Ilai, Shalev, and Ori—now face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives without the man who was the pillar of their home.

    “Avi was more than a father; he was our best friend,” said Shaked, Avi’s eldest son and a combat soldier in the Golani Brigade. “He was always there for us, no matter what, and he taught us to always put family first.”

    The trauma of the attack has compounded the pain of losing Avi, but the Megera family is determined to honor his memory by staying strong and supporting one another. As Michal, the heart of the family, navigates the grief and the sudden role of single parenthood, her resilience is both a tribute to her husband’s enduring spirit and a source of strength for her children.

    “We feel his presence every day,” Michal shared. “I see him in Shaked’s smile, in Ilai’s curiosity, and in the way Ori and Shalev care for each other. He is always with us.”

    The Megera family’s story has touched many, and support for them has grown as the community rallies to help them through this tragic time. Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation has been at the forefront of these efforts, offering emotional, academic, and financial assistance to ensure that Michal and her children have the necessary resources to rebuild their lives. Shaked, who hopes to pursue a career in architecture, has been granted support to further his education, while his brother Ilai, a bright and ambitious student, is receiving academic tutoring to help him pursue his passion for computer science.

    In November, Michal and her children will travel to Miami as part of the Friends for Life Ambassadors Trip, a program designed to provide healing and growth opportunities for families like theirs. During their visit, Michal will share her story with a broader audience, offering a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of supporting those affected by the events of October 7.

    Genesis Friends for Life is committed to ensuring that the Megera family and others receive the long-term support they need. “We are not only honoring Avi’s memory,” said Dr. Lior Aviman, CEO of Genesis Friends for Life Israel NGO, “but we are also standing with his family to ensure that their future is bright. Avi’s legacy lives on in his children, and we will do everything we can to help them succeed.”

    The journey ahead for the Megera family is long, but they are not walking it alone. Avi’s love and dedication to his family remain a guiding light, and the outpouring of support from their community and Genesis Friends for Life is helping to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

    As we reflect on the profound loss endured by the Megera family and others impacted by the violence of October 7, we are reminded of the resilience and strength that emerges in the face of tragedy. Genesis Friends for Life is working tirelessly to provide orphans and widows with the emotional and practical support they need to heal, grow, and thrive.

    In Avi Megera’s memory, we honor not just the man he was but the future he envisioned for his family. Together, we stand with Michal, Shaked, Ilai, Shalev, and Ori, ensuring their journey is one of healing and hope.

    To support the Megera family and other families affected by the events of October 7, you can sponsor and purchase tickets for the upcoming Genesis Friends for Life event, “Love Always Wins,” by visiting this website.

  • Award-Winning Turnaround Attorney and Entrepreneur Aaron Hammer Builds Community and Brings New Life to Troubled Corporates

    Award-Winning Turnaround Attorney and Entrepreneur Aaron Hammer Builds Community and Brings New Life to Troubled Corporates

    The Genesis Business Humanity (BH) Club is proud to spotlight Aaron Hammer, an active and distinguished Genesis Board Executive and Genesis Club Member with a background as a highly respected attorney in bankruptcies, turnarounds, and workouts.

    With a career already recognized with many industry honors, Aaron is one of the leading corporate restructuring lawyers in the United States, having garnered national recognition as an elite corporate restructuring attorney devoted to solving his client’s most challenging insolvency and creditors’ rights issues for over almost thirty years.

    Aaron’s path began with a B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan; a J.D, from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law followed. Aaron would go on to graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors before then being hired as adjunct law professor at the age of 25, the youngest in Northwestern’s School of Law 165-year history.

    Concurrent with his adjunct teaching, where he revolutionized the insolvency curriculum by developing three new insolvency classes, Aaron began his legal career as an associate at Mayer Brown LLP. At this global institution, Aaron led the legal team representing the debtor in the complex Chapter 11 proceedings of Lason, Inc. in Delaware, concluding the matter by successfully reorganizing a $200 million annual revenue multinational business in May 2002.

    Shortly thereafter, Aaron accepted a position as an equity partner at AmLaw 200 firm Freeborn & Peters LLP, where he would reside for the next seven years and build and lead the firm’s national insolvency practice.

    In 2011, Aaron joined Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP as a name partner, leading the firm as chairman of its executive committee and chairman of its bankruptcy, reorganization, and creditor’s rights practice group. Aaron’s then-current firm combined with global AmLaw 100 firm Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton LLP (KTS) in March 2024, and he became a shareholder in its national Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice group.

    For nearly thirty years now, Aaron has led major engagements on behalf of corporate borrowers, lenders, financiers, and, most notably, bankruptcy committees in hundreds of significant bankruptcies and workouts across the country and in many foreign countries, and he’s not done yet. His most recognizable clients have included Bank of America, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Accenture LLP, Sysco Corporation, AT&T, and many other global and midmarket corporates.

    In 2015, Aaron served as President of the Turnaround Management Association’s (TMA) Chicago/Midwest Chapter. He continues to champion the chapter’s Executive Speaker Forum (ESF), leading initiatives dedicated to the corporate turnaround community locally and globally.

    Aaron is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and served for five years on YPO Chicagoland’s board of directors and as its membership officer. In this role, Aaron helped identify future business leaders destined to impact organizations and communities, doubling the chapter’s membership ranks.

    In 2018, Aaron led the turnaround of one of America’s top steakhouses, RED, the Steakhouse in Miami Beach, preserving this institution and saving 80 jobs. Aaron and his team were awarded the TMA’s Small Business Turnaround of the Year for this achievement. Aaron currently manages RED’s restaurant operations, business development, and strategy and is an active investor and partner in numerous other restaurants and hospitality concepts, including Chicago, Smyth, a three-star Michelin gem and one of the world’s very best restaurants.

    With a unique ability to combine strict legal advice with business-oriented solutions, Aaron is known for his ability to cut through the noise, using an analytical approach to make it easier to weigh the merits of any business situation and quickly reach the most efficient solution.

    Aaron has been described as a dealmaker and consensus builder who develops loyalty among colleagues and clients by all those he’s worked with throughout his career. This recognition has culminated in Aaron’s founding and leadership of Deal Symposium Company and its Midmarket Deal Makers Symposium, bringing scores of top dealmakers from around the world to South Florida for professional learning, networking, and team-building activities. As one of Genesis BH Club’s initial supporters, we are thrilled to share Aaron’s remarkable story as he continues to make a difference for his clients and enterprises of all sizes and industries as a truly outstanding attorney and distinguished business leader.  

  • Honoring the One-Year Memorial of the October 7 Massacre: Genesis Business Humanity Club and Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation Launch Memorial Gala Event to Support Orphans and Widows

    Honoring the One-Year Memorial of the October 7 Massacre: Genesis Business Humanity Club and Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation Launch Memorial Gala Event to Support Orphans and Widows

    September 6, 2024 – Miami, Florida; Tel Aviv, Israel – The Genesis Business Humanity Club, in collaboration with the Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation, is proud to announce its one-year memorial of the horrific massacre on October 7, 2023 with a memorial gala which will take place on November 21, 2024 in Miami. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the orphans and widows impacted by the terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas.

    The Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation is dedicated to identifying, serving, and continuously supporting the Genesis family of orphans as they navigate through trauma and tragedy, supporting them and their mothers as they grow into adulthood.

    This year’s event will highlight the impact of The Doron Grant for Life program, named for Doron Aviman, which represents a precise and comprehensive approach to supporting orphans that offers them more than just short-term relief. Going beyond traditional care, the objective of this platform is to provide comprehensive educational and emotional support, as well as career opportunities, particularly in the Israeli tech sector.

    The Doron Grant for Life is a groundbreaking program that seeks to turn the tragedy of loss into a beacon of hope. The program’s core mission is to provide every participating orphan with training, long-term academic and technological support, and the development of self-leadership and community leadership skills. The goal is to ensure that these orphans can achieve financial independence and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

    Key objectives of the Doron Grant for Life program include:

    • Providing continuous financial support throughout the educational journey, from elementary school to university.
    • Offering mental and emotional support to strengthen resilience and self-confidence.
    • Ensuring that 100% of participating orphans achieve high academic standards, including matriculation certificates and bachelor’s degrees.
    • Facilitating the integration of orphans into professions that secure their financial independence.

    “The brutality and shock of what happened last October is still very present, and we have rallied to bring comfort, resources, and long-term support to children orphaned and families whose lives have been shattered,” said Dr. Lior Aviman, CEO of Genesis Friends for Life Israel. “Our mission, especially through the Doron Grant for Life program, is to ensure that these children do not remain victims but become leaders and contributors to society. We are committed to turning darkness into light, sadness into joy, and despair into hope.”

    “We must do all we can to support these orphans and widows, and to become their families for life,” said Amiel Aviman, co-founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Genesis Group, and Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation.  “With the support of the Members of the Genesis Business Humanity Club, and with others who have joined us in building Friends for Life in the U.S. and Israel, we are able to make a lasting difference as we are committing in full force to supporting the families hit the hardest by the terrible violence on October 7, 2023.”

    “We are organizing an army of highly respected business visionaries, government leaders, academics, and volunteers with boots on the ground in Israel,” said Ranny Yarom, who is also co-founder and Managing Director of Genesis Group, and the leader of all activities on the business and humanitarian fronts in Israel. “Each of these orphan’s lives is precious and their potential unlimited when they have our support. They will be the future changemakers in Israel and globally, and from their trauma will come greatness and grace.”

    “For nearly twenty years, our group of friends and network of business colleagues have been supporting orphans in Israel through Simcha Connection, ensuring those young people have access to education, religious education, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs and more,” said Eli Dalfin, Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation, who also founded the partner organization in Miami and has grown it for two decades. “The horrific terrorism that occurred on October 7th sends a strong signal to the world that Israel and Israeli’s are living with an existential threat, and that we all must do what we can to ensure the children and families impacted by violence have what the need to heal and move forward.”

    The event promises to be a powerful gathering of supporters, partners, and community leaders dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of these children. Funds raised will directly support the implementation of the Doron Grant for Life program, ensuring that each orphan receives the comprehensive support they need to thrive.

    More information will be shared, including the naming of the Host Committee, and attendance of orphans and widows at the Miami event.

    About Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation 

    Genesis Friends For Life Global Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization, alongside Genesis Friends for Life Foundation Israel, an NGO in Israel. The Foundation is committed to the long-term support and development of orphans, ensuring they receive the education, emotional support, and career opportunities they need to succeed in life.

    Genesis Friends for Life

    About Genesis Business Humanity

    Genesis Club members are part of an exclusive network of respected industry leaders and entrepreneurs committed to supporting businesses who share our mission to serve humanity.

    Our members share a common belief that when we combine our strengths and support innovators who aim to solve society’s greatest challenges, we can make a lasting difference.

    Whether we are bringing human or financial capital to promising companies, we are focused on helping business scale profitably and expand in the US and other major markets. We identify game-changing companies in Israel and other countries, and lead them into new markets through our private, invitation only club.

    We are constantly expanding our horizons, inviting like-minded people to join us on this important journey. In the beginning was the word. With a unique way to combine business with a vision for a better world, we are creating new beginnings.

    Genesis Business Humanity

    Media Contact: 

    Reece Loftus
    Marketing Communications Director
    reece@genesisbhdigital.com

  • From Deep Trauma, Unimaginable Loss, and Hopelessness to A Meaningful and Peaceful Life: Let’s Stand for The Orphans of October 7th

    From Deep Trauma, Unimaginable Loss, and Hopelessness to A Meaningful and Peaceful Life: Let’s Stand for The Orphans of October 7th

    Last week, I met one of the orphans of October 7th.

    There are no words to describe the heartbreak, shock, sense of emptiness, and loss of direction. Before me stood a young person who should have been celebrating life, making life plans, and fulfilling them, filled with hope and looking forward to a good and complete life.

    At the age of 19, he experienced events that the human mind cannot and refuses to, comprehend. One parent was murdered in their home, another was kidnapped and later found to have been murdered, and two younger siblings were kidnapped and returned after fifty days as part of an agreement with the most ruthless murderers.

    The kibbutz, the home where he lived and grew up for 19 years, was destroyed and burned to the ground.

    “I lived in a protected bubble, a bubble where everything was safe and quiet. I had the usual plans of a young person in Israel— a year of service, enlistment in a combat unit, and a big trip around the world. Everything shattered into pieces,” he told me.

    How can a person wake up in the morning and continue with their life after such an event? How do you find the strength to keep going and hope for better days?

    As we spoke, I also thought about the dozens of orphans who have experienced such a terrible loss and need to continue with their lives and make plans for their future families and their own future while dealing with the difficult feelings of grief and orphanhood.

    Orphanhood because of a terrorist attack is just as painful and difficult as any other kind of orphanhood. Still, it has its own unique characteristics that make it even more challenging for the orphan, adding complexity to the already difficult task of coping with the loss.

    When a terrorist attack causes orphanhood, the loss is accompanied by additional feelings of fear, helplessness, and shock from the horrific event.

    There are anxieties stemming from a lack of physical security, as well as intense feelings of guilt due to false thoughts of helplessness and the fact that, as an orphan, I survived while my beloved relatives were no longer with me.

    Moreover, many orphans find themselves having to take on new roles within the family, such as caring for younger siblings or providing financial support. These roles can weigh heavily on them, adding feelings of burden and responsibility to their grief, further straining their mental state.

    These complex feelings require long-term professional and personal support. Empathy and the ability of those around the orphan to understand and contain their emotions are essential, as is a long-term plan to help the orphan, as much as possible, to plan a life path so that orphanhood does not become an obstacle to their success.

    You might be thinking cynically, “Easy to say.” That’s true. It is indeed easier to write an article or talk about orphanhood than to experience it and deal with it day by day, hour by hour.

    But if we are people of kindness, and if none of the orphan’s difficult emotions are foreign to us, we have a duty to help them in every possible way, to plan comprehensive assistance, and to think long-term, not as a one-time intervention.

    Based on professional literature in the field, Genesis Israel, also known as Friends for Life, has developed a long-term support and assistance program for orphans of terror victims (DORON GRANT FOR LIFE).

    The program includes various layers of support and assistance. We are not interested in one-time interventions or donations to the many respected organizations. We are committed to genuine, long-term kindness that saves lives in a professional and sustained manner.

    Our uniqueness lies in our ability to provide long-term support to the orphan at every stage of their life.

    Our uniqueness lies in a professional program tailored personally to the orphan and their psychological, familial, emotional, and educational needs, with a focus on the long-term horizon of their integration into the business or high-tech world, the world of music or art, the legal or medical fields—according to their needs and talents.

    The organizational backbone of Genesis is located in Miami and includes successful businesspeople, medical professionals, lawyers, tech and biotechnology experts—all committed to long-term support and continuous acts of kindness, as we have decided—until the orphan stands on their own feet and becomes a self-leader and community leader.

    Emotional and psychological support, educational assistance, mentoring and guidance, legal support, professional training, family guidance—these and more, the people of Genesis wish and can provide with great love.

    Meeting the orphan and hearing his harrowing story strengthened my belief that we must increase our efforts, be attentive and flexible, accurately identify needs, sometimes let the orphan think about what is right for them, and sometimes advise and guide them in a way that allows them to find hope despite the difficult experiences they have endured.

    The conversation with the orphan I met at a café in Tel Aviv also reinforced my thoughts about kindness and mitzvot, which are a staple in Judaism.

    Sensitivity to the weak and the willingness to help them as much as you can are ingrained in Jewish and Israeli culture and are one of the sources of strength for everyone living in Israel during these times and for all Jews around the world.

    Fortunately, there are many who are willing to lend a hand, give a hug, be attentive, and mobilize in any way to help. I am fortunate that Genesis Israel is part of this family. I wish for all of us that we will always be on the giving side, and that if we find ourselves in need, there will be many who will be there for us.

    This is the strength of a community, and it is also a measure of the strength of human society.

    It is impossible not to recall the touching quote by Martin Luther King: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

    Dr. Lior Aviman

    CEO of Genesis Israel

    Assisting the orphans of October 7th

  • Healthcare in the US Can Be Dramatically Improved With Innovations in Population Health and Value-Based Care

    Healthcare in the US Can Be Dramatically Improved With Innovations in Population Health and Value-Based Care

    There’s not a single person in the United States who would discredit the importance of our healthcare system. Compared to the rest of the world, America is an innovation leader, whether through new technologies, new business models, and the science bringing advanced, life-enhancing treatments to society which are scaling to benefit billions where resources are available that improve access to care – and the quality of that care.

    Despite this, a recent study by The Peter G. Peterson Foundation reported that the United States has one of the highest healthcare costs in the world but has a lower life expectancy rate and a higher rate of excess mortality than other comparable countries. In fact, in the US, costs have been rising more rapidly during the past decades than gross domestic products, and many experts consider this increase not to be sustainable.

    Dr. Amish Purohit, Co-Founder, President & Chief Health Officer at Arkos Health, a technology-driven population health company providing patient care management, shared his thoughts on the opportunity to fundamentally improve access, especially in underserved communities while driving up quality and reducing costs in a recent interview.

    “I’ll start by saying that our healthcare system is the best health care system in the world,” Dr. Purohit said. “However, when it comes to outcomes, and when we’re looking at how much we spend, looking from the outside in, you wouldn’t think we had the best healthcare system in the world. We’ve got to reduce costs in this country.”

    A highly accomplished physician executive and business leader, Dr. Purohit has earned an MD, MBA MHA, FAAFP, and FACHE through a diverse educational background that includes a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from George Mason University, a Master of Health Administration from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

    He was most recently recognized as a recipient of the Phoenix Titan 100 Award, an annual honor that recognizes executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and passion, which Dr. Purohit has greatly displayed as he works to create a more affordable and accessible healthcare system.

    “There’s no way we can sustain more than 20 or 21% of our GDP just on healthcare, or more if it continues to rise,” he continued. “If our percentage of GDP spent on healthcare goes to where it takes away money from other governmental programs that we need, like infrastructure and education, it simply makes the spending more unsustainable.”

    Purohit explained that to lessen the burden of cost that healthcare imposes upon patients, there must be systemic changes to how government policies assist provider burnout, as well as the currently flawed Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement formula.

    “For example, the way our government and programs around Medicaid work often amounts to a free-for-all all if you’re on Medicaid,” Dr. Purohit explained. “You’ve got free health care, you don’t have copays, and you have no other responsibility, so there’s nothing really pushing them to change their behavior patterns to use health care resources appropriately. Costs are going up, and their health outcomes are not any better.”

    Instead, there are too many other determinants, such as social determinants of health (SDOH), that make it tough for Medicaid populations to prioritize healthcare. These wide-scale issues help drive the increasing cost of healthcare, making it difficult for patients to make healthcare a priority, ultimately leading to worse outcomes.

    A recent Boston Globe study that found the average net worth of a black American family in the city of Boston to be just eight dollars. In reference to that finding, Dr. Purohit wonders how any family could put an emphasis on healthcare, already knowing they can’t afford it.

    “These are all barriers that are created for individuals lower on the socioeconomic ladder that it becomes hard to prioritize health care,” he explained. “If they can’t prioritize health care, this correlates to poor outcomes. Just because we may have the best health care system in the world, if they’re not able to access it, they’re not able to follow through.”

    Credit: Precedence Research

    Along with broad policy changes, Dr. Purohit advocates strongly for the betterment of patient education. He explains that patient education is paramount to letting people play a bigger role in their own health.

    “The other piece to solving the healthcare puzzle is not only providing coverage, access, equitable, and equity in healthcare, but it is about empowering our patients and educating our patients to take ownership of their own healthcare.”

    “They can’t take ownership if, on average, a person sees their doctor maybe four times a year,” Dr. Purohit said. “It’s about an hour a year if you calculate the time that they spend with their physician. If that’s the case, how can you provide better outcomes if that’s all you’re doing.”

    To create greater patient empowerment, while decreasing costs at the same time, Dr. Purohit believes the answer lies with population health management and value-based care (VBC) methods and policies, like those employed by Arkos Health.

    “That’s why systems like Arkos Health, where there is a higher touch point, higher access, higher availability to clinical knowledge and clinical advice for these patients, can fill those gaps in between when they see their doctors. It’s why I think there needs to be an overhaul,” he stated.

    Both approaches to healthcare aim to improve the overall health outcomes of a community by the optimization of resources, including digital ones. The two approaches focus on enhancing patient outcomes by incentivizing quality over quantity and leveraging practices such as preventive care, care coordination, telehealth, patient education, and even data analytics.

    The sweeping desire for change across the country, coupled with the surge in the prevalence of chronic diseases and a growing aging population, is driving the rapid growth of the population health management market, with experts predicting a promising 19.93% CAGR, bringing the 2031 estimates to a whopping USD 171.94 billion.

    However, if Dr. Purohit’s beliefs prove true, population health management, as well as VBC, could very well be on the rise faster than expected as the country begins to realize that changes are necessary for the American health system to achieve world-class status.

    “Our healthcare system is broken,” he said, “and the only solutions that I see right now until we fix and overhaul our entire healthcare system are solutions like Arkos Health. Population health management and value-based care companies that will help insurers to reduce costs and improve outcomes. We offer individualized care at scale. Supporting patients hand-in-hand. We coordinate care for them, wrap them with ample supporting services that impact their health, and generally drive a better experience. We’re getting paid by their insurers to put them at the center of their care  because the health plans and current ecosystem of care can’t do it alone.” Learn more about Dr. Purohit on LinkedIn, and learn more about Arkos Health on their website.