These three performers – Yuval Raphael, Debra Messing, and Idan Amedi – sparkled brightly on stage and on screen this year, and their achievements filled Jews around the world with pride.
Yuval Raphael, Israel’s contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest last May, sang beautifully in the face of threats and jeers from people who wanted to silence any Israeli voice on the international stage. Just to keep her cool and hit all the notes as she sang “New Day Will Rise,” by Keren Peles, a rousing anthem of resilience and renewal following the October 7 massacre, would have been a triumph.
But Raphael, who fled the Supernova music festival when the massacre began and hid in a bomb shelter where dozens were murdered, achieved much more, winning the audience vote and singlehandedly disproving the lie that the whole world is against Israel.
In the end, she came in second overall, an incredible finish in a year when many European broadcasters and performers tried to discourage Israel from taking part in the contest.
Through it all, Raphael epitomized grace under pressure, and Israelis watched joyfully as a star was born before their eyes. Even people who tend to see Eurovision as silly were entranced, and Raphael, who had not sung professionally before the contest, launched her career. She will play her first big Israeli concert in Tel Aviv during Sukkot, and audiences will welcome her with open arms.
Debra Messing
Debra Messing has established herself as one of Israel’s staunchest defenders in Hollywood since October 7. The actress best known for the sitcom Will & Grace has spoken up against antisemitism at every opportunity. The documentary she executive produced, October 8, directed by Wendy Sachs, gives an in-depth look at the rise of antisemitism on campuses, social media, and the streets of America in the past two years.
The film was released in March to rave reviews and earned well over $1 million at the box office – big money for a documentary.
Promoting the film, Messing spoke to CNN and described her decision to become an activist for Israel. “I think I was in the shadows prior to October 7. I actually didn’t realize how much the antisemitism that I have experienced throughout my entire life had affected my ability to be out and proud, so to speak, as a Jew,” she said.
In addition to her activism, she continues to hit career highs as an actress and recently played opposite Robert De Niro in the mob drama The Alto Knights, directed by Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi. Messing received favorable reviews for her performance as Bobbie, the Jewish wife of mobster Frank Costello.
Idan Amedi
Idan Amedi had a thriving career as a musician/songwriter and was a key member of the Fauda cast, but he put that all aside to fight against Hamas in Gaza as a reservist.
In early 2024, he was seriously wounded in a blast in the Gaza Strip and was covered in burns so severe that the medic who worked to save his life had no idea who he was. At the beginning of 2025, he had recovered and returned to his music career. But he did not forget his ordeal and released an album, Superman, which contained a song of the same title about his experiences.
The song includes the lyrics, “I’m no longer afraid to die,” and features a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the incident in which he was wounded. In a social media post when the song was released, Amedi wrote, “After the darkness I’ve experienced, a thousand abysses, I want to thank everyone who took part in the long process I’ve gone through this past year – in the hospital, in rehab, in the studio, and at home. Even though there are no supermen in real life, you are the closest that I’ve ever met. I dedicate this song to the memories of my friends Alexei, Akiva, Gavriel, and Eliran [fellow soldiers killed in Gaza]. You’re in my thoughts every day.”
Amedi has been promoting the album this year on a sold-out concert tour and recently was reunited with the medic who saved him at one of his performances. The singer’s bravery and resilience against all odds have earned him a special place in the hearts of Israelis.
David Brinn contributed to this report.