On October 7, 2023, Lior Tkach, a gifted master’s student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), was murdered at the Nova Festival. Lior was not only a brilliant researcher, but someone deeply committed to using artificial intelligence to improve and save human lives.
Before his life was tragically cut short, Lior was helping launch an ambitious initiative focused on one of medicine’s most urgent challenges: identifying lifethreatening complications in critically ill patients before it was too late. Today, his classmates and colleagues at BGU are carrying that vision forward with the Lior Project - an innovative research initiative developing next-generation AI tools to support physicians in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), where every second can mean the difference between life and death.
Developed at BGU, the LIOR Project uses advanced, explainable AI to detect early warning patterns before a medical crisis occurs. It is designed to help physicians anticipate life-threatening events such as respiratory failure, sepsis, kidney injury, and cardiac instability, allowing for earlier, faster, and more precise intervention.
Importantly, LIOR provides transparency. Rather than functioning as a “black box,” it shows clinicians why it is making a prediction, enabling more informed, confident decision-making and helping to reduce preventable errors.
Emily Tehila Damari (born c. 1997) is a dual British Israeli citizen who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. When Hamas launched its brutal attack that morning, Emily, then 27, was frightened to be alone in her apartment. She called her close friend Gali Berman, who lived nearby, and Gali came to be with her. Shortly after, Hamas terrorists broke in. Emily was shot in the hand and leg—losing two fingers—and her beloved dog Choocha was killed in front of her. Emily, Gali, and Gali’s twin brother Ziv Berman, were all abducted in Emily's car and taken to Gaza. She was held in captivity for 471 days—over 15 months—before being released in January 2025.
Emily is the youngest of four siblings and the only daughter in her family. She was born and raised in Kfar Aza and worked for the Israeli police prior to her abduction. Her mother, Mandy Damari, was born in Surrey, UK, and moved to Israel in her twenties.
During her captivity, Emily was held in harsh conditions, including time in underground tunnels, and was moved between various Hamas and Gazan homes. On January 19, 2025, Emily was in the first group of hostages released in a negotiated deal, alongside Romi Gonen (23, abducted from the Nova Music Festival) and Doron Steinbrecher (30, also from Kfar Aza). Emily was flown to Sheba Medical Center, where she emerged with severe injuries—she raised her bandaged hand in defiance, becoming a symbol of bravery and courage throughout the world.
Emily’s mother, Mandy, led a tireless international campaign for her daughter’s release, especially in the UK. Since her return, Emily has become a passionate advocate for the hostages still in captivity—particularly her closest friends Gali and Ziv Berman, who remain in Gaza. In various public appearances, including at Tottenham Hotspur UK, Bloomfield stadium Tel Aviv and lighting the torch for Israel Independence Day, she always speaks out publicly and powerfully on their behalf.
Nuseir Yassin rose to fame by doing the crazy task of creating 1,000 videos in 1,000 days.
After attending Harvard, he took the risk of leaving his stable engineering job in America to create content. 8 years, 68 million followers and thousands of videos later, Nas Daily brought people together from 197 countries across all platforms by creating his famous 1-minute videos.
Reaching over 300 million people monthly, Nuseir uses his platform to promote peace and understanding, focusing on stories that highlight shared humanity that transcends political conflict.
His efforts in promoting peace have been recognized with the prestigious Anti-Defamation League’s Daniel Pearl Award, honoring his dedication to fostering coexistence and dialogue through digital media.
Emmanuel Acho is a modern thought leader who inspires audiences to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful, lasting change. As a FOX Sports analyst, Acho is renowned for his infuential voice in both sports and social discourse. He also hosts and produces the Emmy Award-winning series executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Acho, which has amassed over 100 million views across social media. This groundbreaking series tackles complex conversations about race in America, advocating for safe spaces, community bridgebuilding, and the crucial role of open dialogue, empathy, education, and personal responsibility in addressing systemic issues. Acho's impact has earned him two Emmy Awards—Outstanding Sports Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent and Outstanding Short Form Nonfction or Reality Series. What began as a digital initiative has grown into New York Times bestselling books under Oprah’s imprint, expanded online content, panels, and thought leadership initiatives that continue to shape national conversations.
Following his successful tenure as the host of FS1’s SPEAK, Emmanuel Acho joins FS1’s morning lineup with his new show, The Facility, co-hosting alongside former NFL stars LeSean McCoy, James Jones, and Chase Daniel. The powerhouse team delivers insights on the biggest sports topics from the athlete’s perspective backed by a collective 36 seasons of professional football experience. Emmanuel also hosts Second Chance Stage on Max, a talent competition ofering contestants who have set aside their dreams for years, even decades, a second chance at their big break.
In his book, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller, Emmanuel Acho and co- writer Noa Tishby confront challenging questions about antisemitism. The book examines sensitive topics such as Jewish stereotypes, power dynamics, and the essence of Judaism, providing profound insights into the roots of Jewish hatred in America. With Tishby’s Israeli-American perspective and Acho’s Nigerian- American background, the book ofers a diverse range of viewpoints that make complex concepts more accessible. Their dialogue is designed to educate and empower readers to recognize and address bigotry, underscoring that hatred against any group threatens us all.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, the third title under the “An Oprah Book” banner, debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestsellers list. Following this success, Acho published Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy and Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits. In Illogical, he inspires readers to embrace the role of changemakers. Whether launching a revolutionary startup, advocating for societal change, or pursuing a personal passion with vigor, he advocates for transformation. This concept also forms the core message of his TED Talk, “Why you should stop setting goals (yes, really),” which has over 1 million views.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Sports Management, Emmanuel Acho was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. The next year, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent most of his NFL career. During the of-seasons, Emmanuel pursued a master’s degree in Sports Psychology at the University of Texas. In his transition from the football feld to broadcasting, Emmanuel became the youngest national football analyst and was recognized as a Forbes "30 Under 30" honoree. He is active within his family’s non- proft organization, Living Hope Christian Ministries, and successfully raised funds to build a hospital in rural Nigeria.
Tamar Ish-Shalom is one of Israel’s most prominent journalists and news anchors. For over a decade, she anchored the prime-time edition of Channel 10 TV News (later Channel 13), establishing herself as a leading voice in Israeli media. In recent years, she anchored the Saturday edition of Channel 13 News and produced in-depth magazine reports, especially in the social field.
Currently living in the US, Ish-Shalom serves as a Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), where she leads a flagship project examining how the events of October 7 and the ongoing war are reshaping the Jewish identity of American Jews. As part of this project, she created and hosts the podcast Jewish Crossroads, which features in-depth conversations with leading voices in American Jewry about identity, community, and the evolving Israel–Diaspora relationship in a post–October 7 world.
Throughout her career, Ish-Shalom has conducted high-profile interviews with Israeli presidents, prime ministers, and senior ministers, as well as international figures. She has covered six Israeli election campaigns.
Haaretz newspaper described her as 'intelligent, opinionated, present, curious, and wise,' and someone who 'excels in professional seriousness and creates the feeling that she knows what she's talking about without trying to show off.'
She began her career during the Second Intifada as a police reporter for Army Radio, later becoming the Knesset correspondent and host of the current affairs program 24 Today. She anchored Channel 10’s morning show and served as Channel 2’s Europe correspondent.
Ish-Shalom holds a B.A. in Psychology and Jewish Philosophy (summa cum laude) from Tel Aviv University and an M.A. in Religious Studies (summa cum laude) from King’s College London, where she focused on the role of religion in modern society.
She received the 2008 B’nai B’rith Journalism Award for a groundbreaking series on the changing face of American Jewry, aimed at reshaping Israeli perceptions of Jewish life in the U.S., and the 2023 Givat Haviva Prize for her coverage of Arab society in Israel and promotion of shared society values.
Alongside her journalism, Ish-Shalom has initiated symbolic efforts to foster inclusion and social change, such as greeting viewers on non-Jewish holidays—now adopted by other media outlets—and founding a media preparatory course for teens from Israel’s social periphery.
She is a graduate of several prominent leadership programs, including Maoz, Gvanim, Olim Beyachad, and the Bertelsmann Israel-Germany initiative.
Michael Douglas is a Hollywood icon whose career spans over five decades, marked by acclaimed performances in films like Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, and Behind the Candelabra. An Academy Award-winning actor and producer, he earned major recognition for producing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Known for his versatility, Douglas has consistently chosen projects that reflect cultural and political themes while achieving both critical and commercial success.
Beyond his work in film and television, Douglas is a dedicated advocate for social causes, including nuclear disarmament, cancer awareness, and gun control. After facing his own battle with cancer, he became a strong voice for health and wellness initiatives, using his platform to inspire resilience and public awareness worldwide.
Douglas is a prominent advocate for Israel, frequently using his platform to combat antisemitism. Following the atrocities of October 7, 2023, he visited Israel and met with the families of hostages. During this trip he visited two of the hardest hit sites: Kibbutz Be’eri and the site of the Nova Music Festival. He was one of over 700 Hollywood figures who signed an open letter by the Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), condemning the attacks and calling for the safe return of all hostages.
Bestselling author and journalist Douglas Murray has dedicated much of the past few years to reporting from the frontlines in Ukraine and Gaza. His in-depth coverage of the harrowing conditions in these war-torn areas has offered a crucial perspective to audiences across the globe.
In an expansive conversation, Murray shares his firsthand experiences and observations from these conflict zones, providing a vivid account of the human suffering and strength he has witnessed. He discusses the strategic and moral imperatives for the West to secure victories in both wars, highlighting the broader implications for global stability and democracy.
Beyond his war reporting, Murray delves into contemporary issues closer to home. He offers his perspective on the recent wave of campus protests across the United States, analyzing the cultural and political undercurrents driving these movements. Additionally, Murray shares his insights on recent and upcoming elections, discussing the key issues at stake and their potential impact on the country’s future.
An event with Douglas Murray promises a thought-provoking exploration of current events, from international conflicts to domestic political dynamics.
Nuseir Yassin rose to fame by doing the crazy task of creating 1,000 videos in 1,000 days.
After attending Harvard, he took the risk of leaving his stable engineering job in America to create content. 8 years, 68 million followers and thousands of videos later, Nas Daily brought people together from 197 countries across all platforms by creating his famous 1-minute videos.
Reaching over 300 million people monthly, Nuseir uses his platform to promote peace and understanding, focusing on stories that highlight shared humanity that transcends political conflict.
His efforts in promoting peace have been recognized with the prestigious Anti-Defamation League’s Daniel Pearl Award, honoring his dedication to fostering coexistence and dialogue through digital media.
