Toronto – June 7, 2022 – Canadian Friends of Sheba Medical Center, the Canadian fundraising arm of Israel’s largest hospital, held its annual Sheba Under the Stars gala last week at the Avenue Banquet Hall in Toronto. The event highlighted the significance of the Abraham Accords, signed in August 2020 in support of peace in the Middle East and based  on mutual understanding and coexistence. The guest of honor at the event was His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Rashid bin Abdulla Al- Khalifa, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the U.S. and Canada. 

“I really want to thank Sheba Medical Center,” said Ambassador His Excellency Sheikh  Abdulla bin Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa. “The lives you touch are being helped in the region  and beyond.” “Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, Israel and Bahrain have signed over 37 memorandums of understanding (MOUs), exchanged ambassadors, established  embassies, and started direct flights between the two countries. We want to instill hope in  the region and are looking for ways in which our two nations can prosper.” 

Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in August 2020, Sheba Medical Center has played an instrumental role in solidifying relations and collaboration with Gulf countries to advance medical care and research. Sheba has partnered with two of Bahrain’s largest hospitals on research initiatives in addition to signing an MoU with the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi for developing improved healthcare services.  

Sheba is additionally collaborating with major healthcare institutions in Ontario and Quebec such as The Ottawa Hospital, helping to strengthen the Canadian economy. 

Other guest speakers included Yoel Har-Even, Director of Sheba Global, and head of the  recent Sheba-operated field hospital in Mostyska, Ukraine that treated over 6,000 patients during Israel’s “Shining Star” mission. Har-Even has additionally been at the forefront of Sheba’s collaborations with Bahrain and the UAE. 

“Medicine and healthcare can serve as a bridge between nations,” said Har-Even. “Sheba has been working tirelessly with governmental organizations and hospitals in Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan to offer top-tier medical care to our neighbors. Tonight’s Canadian Friends of Sheba gala underscores our commitment to fostering peace and prosperity in the Middle East, utilizing medicine to provide hope without boundaries.” 

The exclusive event attracted more than 200 participants and included entertainment by  singer and author Limore Twena. The event was emceed by Canadian TV news personality Dana Levenson.

Video remarks were given at the event by His Excellency Ambassador Khaled Yousif  AlJalahma, the first Bahraini Ambassador to the State of Israel.