At Shalva, we’re proud of our international circle of friends and supporters. It’s this tremendous movement that enables us to continue providing our transformative programs to an ever-growing number of participants… and as always, free of charge.

Recently, Shalva opened offices in Los Angeles, California. Our West Coach branch has helped us connect with a whole new demographic of supporters who are eager to join us in raising the banners of hope and love on behalf of children with disabilities.

Every now and then, we recognize those special benefactors who have proven their friendship again and again. Their deep commitment to Shalva’s cause reflects their desire to create concrete change that will help lead us all to a better, more inclusive future.

Michael De Luca is one such person. And at a special gala evening – The Spirit of Hope Dinner – in LA, Michael was presented with Shalva’s prestigious Spirit of Hope award in recognition of his multifaceted support of Shalva’s international presence and top-quality programs.

De Luca was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. De Luca began pursuing a career in showbiz in 1986 and quickly rose through the ranks. He has since produced three academy nominated films and is the mastermind behind the 50 Shades phenomenon, the DaVinci Code sequel Inferno, the Social Network and Moneyball.

His extensive work on behalf of Shalva was celebrated together with many of Hollywood’s most recognized faces. Jeremy Garelick (the writer behind The Hangover, The Breakup and more) emceed. And Amy Pascal (producer of the upcoming Spiderman: Homecoming by Marvel) presented the award.

Over the course of the evening, an address in the memory of former Israeli President Shimon Peres – another avid and international advocate of Shalva – was presented for the attendees. Additionally, the Shalva Band; who could not appear at the event live, put on a moving prerecorded performance of Hallelujah dedicated to Michael and his wife Angelique. (Angelique was a contestant on the very first season of The Bachelor.)

From De Luca’s acceptance speech: “As a parent, you go through a certain amount of terror that you’ve never felt before because you suddenly care more about this child that you’re having than you ever felt about yourself,” De Luca continued. “I can only imagine what it’s like for parents to feel that terror and not know where to go or turn, and the fact that Shalva supplies an island of comfort, security, and hope — whether you’re a Muslim parent or Jewish parent — they have your back and I was incredibly moved by that.”

Thank you Michael for your continued support!