A Night of Unity, Music & Mission: Zaka’s 35th Anniversary Benefit Electrifies Newark Symphony Hall

Newark, NJ — Nearly 3,000 people packed the sold-out Newark Symphony Hall on Sunday night for an unforgettable celebration of ZAKA’s 35 years of lifesaving chessed. The atmosphere inside the theater was nothing short of electric, matched only by the tens of thousands who joined the livestream from around the world to support ZAKA’s sacred mission.

Hosted by Meaningful Minute’s Nachi Gordon, the evening launched straight into its star-studded musical lineup. Avraham Fried, Benny Friedman, Shulem Lemmer, Itzik Dadya and Shalsheles lit up the stage with powerful, soulful performances accompanied by Freilach’s exhilarating orchestration. Midway through the night, the crowd erupted when Baruch Levine made a surprise appearance, delivering an emotional performance alongside fellow performers that became one of the event’s defining moments.

More than a concert, the gathering stood as a tribute to ZAKA’s 4,000 volunteers who have responded to tragedy with unwavering faith, compassion and courage. For 35 years, ZAKA has stepped into the most painful moments, preserving life, honoring the dead and upholding the sanctity of humanity.

“Tonight is more than a milestone; it is a living testament to the holy work our volunteers do every day,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “Our teams run toward pain so others can find comfort. They bring dignity and light where there is chaos and loss. Our concert honors their courage and the supporters who make it possible.”

The emotional weight of ZAKA’s mission resonated throughout the hall, especially in light of recent years’ tragedies. On October 7, 2023, ZAKA teams were among the first to arrive at the massacre sites in southern Israel, working tirelessly to recover victims with dignity. Since then, volunteers have continued responding across the country as rockets, missiles and drones from Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran have threatened Israeli communities.

“35 years is not just an anniversary; it is a responsibility,” said ZAKA U.S. Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg. “The need never rests and neither do our volunteers. Through unity, music and faith, we continue to strengthen the hands of those who show up day and night for Am Yisrael.”

This year’s event raised critical funds for ZAKA’s 16 units across Israel and around the globe, including rapid medical response, search and rescue, dive teams, international disaster deployments and culturally sensitive recovery units serving Jewish, Arab, Bedouin and Druze communities.

As the final notes faded and the sold-out crowd streamed out into the Newark night, one feeling lingered above all: unity, purpose and profound gratitude for those who stand ready at every hour for Klal Yisrael.

Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full-scale emergency response network, with over 4,000 trained volunteers operating 24/7 across Israel to honor the dead, aid the living and bring dignity in times of devastation. Today, it operates a wide range of units – from rapid medical response and search and rescue to water recovery to culturally sensitive burial teams serving Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab and Druze communities to international units deploying at a moment’s notice to crises across the globe. For more information, visit: https://zakaworld.org/.