Alumni Spotlight: Adam Elbaz

Connecting the Dots from Florida to Tel Aviv

Due to the war initiated by Hamas on October 7th, the tragedy that Israel has witnessed, and the ongoing war in which over 100 people are still being held hostage, Taglit-Birthright Israel BEYOND is featuring stories of alumni who are taking action and making a difference.

In the vibrant heart of Miami, Adam Elbaz, a Taglit Birthright Israel alum from 2018, launched Miami for Israel, an organization dedicated to providing crucial support and resources to Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Adam’s deep-rooted connection to Israel is a tapestry of personal and familial history.

Adam’s late father, originally from Morocco, served in the IDF during the Yom Kippur War, while his mother’s lineage traces back to Egypt and Aleppo, Syria, embedding a rich Sephardic heritage in his identity. Born an Israeli-American, Adam’s upbringing was steeped in Israeli culture — from conversing in Hebrew to savoring Israeli cuisine and immersing himself in Israeli media. His social circle in Aventura, Florida, echoed this connection, predominantly comprising Israeli friends.

Adam’s father during the Yom Kippur war

Adam’s bond with Israel was profoundly reinforced during his 2018 Taglit-Birthright Israel trip, where he formed a deep camaraderie with the soldiers, recognizing a shared cultural backdrop. However, October 7, 2023, marked a turning point for Adam. Confronted with the harrowing escalation of violence in Israel, which he had always heard about but never fully grasped the intensity of, Adam found himself in a whirlwind of emotions.

Adam, like many others, was unsure as to the scale of violence in Israel. Rockets and sirens were relatively commonplace, and with his familial Israeli status, he had heard about terror in Israel while growing up.

Despite being accustomed to news of turmoil in Israel, the gravity of the events on this fateful day struck him with an unprecedented force. In the days that followed, Adam remained fervently connected to Israeli news outlets, seeking solace and understanding in the midst of chaos.

Adam wrapping tefillin

From Volunteering to Action: Mobilizing Support

Adam needed to get into action mode; to not be a bystander, but rather someone who would make a difference. Through a synagogue in North Miami Beach, and when specific supply requests began to funnel in from his friends and family in Israel, Adam took it upon himself to directly get them what they needed. Using Instagram, he was able to fundraise $3,000 in a few hours, and said “OK, that was easy.”

This success ignited his determination, leading to the creation of Miami 4 Israel. But challenges arose with the request for tactical gear like vests. To navigate the legal complexities of international supply, Adam’s army-veteran friend Daniel lent her expertise. They focused on legal avenues, like wiring funds and sourcing materials, ensuring a smooth delivery to Israel. 

“My dad fought in the Yom Kippur War, I knew I needed to do this,” said Adam, acknowledging the vital role of global Jewish support. Utilizing resources from Walmart and Costco and working with EI AI to transport supplies, Adam’s efforts epitomize a community united in support.

Global Impact: Awareness Beyond Boundaries

Beyond supplying physical aid, Adam and his friend embarked on an inventive PR campaign. 

“I can’t even take credit for it,” he says. “I ran into my friends Joy and Shelley, and they said that they had a great idea.” 

She had a vision of “putting up hostage posters in Wynwood, an arts district in Miami,  in the shape of a massive Jewish star and making it go viral.” Adam was in. 

They chose an early morning hour for their endeavor, ensuring uninterrupted work. And when they arrived in Wynwood, they found the “perfect wall.” Their chosen canvas? A striking gold wall, conveniently located near Zak the Baker, a Michelin-rated kosher restaurant.

As they assembled the two-story tall star, the installation quickly began to capture attention. Despite noticing some onlookers contemplating its removal, its sheer size and public visibility seemed to deter any immediate action.

Unexpectedly, the community began to rally around their effort. A helpful construction worker lent a ladder, critical for reaching the higher sections. Others offered donations, with one woman even volunteering to guard the installation overnight, aware of the global trend of tearing down similar posters.

Initially prepared for confrontation, Adam and his friend were pleasantly surprised to find that passersby were expressing appreciation for their work. The installation not only stood out as a symbol of solidarity but also achieved significant viral success, garnering over 100 shares across the community. This initiative marked a creative and impactful approach to advocacy, blending art with a message of support and unity.

If you would like to contribute to help soldiers through Adam’s efforts, you can find more information and donate here.

Miami for Israel’s Vision: Unity and Aid

The core of Miami for Israel is the mission to transcend barriers and amplify awareness. Adam recognizes the power of visual impact in advocacy, noting that his personal stories reach a limited audience.

“If you look at my viewers, I have five people who aren’t Jewish. I’m not breaking out of my echo chamber,” he said. 

People around the world are tearing down photographs of innocent hostages, so there is limited exposure to it, he says, but he believes that people seeing the posters makes a difference. 

Seeing the faces of the real men, women, the elderly, and babies makes a difference in bringing awareness to the utter horrors of Hamas. “Even if it causes them to Google ‘Israeli hostages,’ I think we did our part.”

Miami 4 Israel isn’t just about raising funds; it’s a launchpad for innovative ideas to foster awareness and encourage the Miami community to contribute. Looking ahead, plans include engaging events like a mega challah bake. The strategy is clear: leverage a network of Israeli-American connections to identify and address immediate needs in Israel.

“The goal is just to connect the dots” through multiple channels, namely Israeli-American individuals with contacts in Israel who are in direct contact communicating their immediate needs.

For Adam, this initiative offers a pathway to cope with grief and helplessness. By actively contributing, he finds solace and encourages others to do the same. 

“You need time to grieve, but being able to actually make a difference is what has been able to calm me down,” he said. 

His experience echoes a wider sentiment within his circle of friends and family—witnessing distressing events can fuel a drive to make a tangible difference, creating a ripple effect of positive change.