Noam Gershony
On September 8, 2012, an entire nation watched as the flag of Israel was raised over the London Paralympics and as tears appeared on the face of the emotional young Israeli tennis champion, Noam Gershony.
Six years before his gold medal win in wheelchair tennis, Noam was serving as an IDF Apache helicopter pilot. At the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, he was severely injured in an operation that brought two helicopters down.
Thanks to the initial work of the IDF’s 669 Search and Rescue unit, the doctors at Rambam hospital, and Noam’s positive attitude, he not only survived but now serves as an inspiration for Israelis and Jews around the world.
Noam is a symbol of hope, of determination, and of triumph. Today, Noam travels the world sharing his story — from his last breath in the accident to the gold medal win in London — and the lessons we can all learn from it. He inspires audiences of all ages and backgrounds with his universal message of community, commitment, and perseverance.
Noam Gershony gave a moving speech at the 25th Anniversary UN Watch Gala. His remarks were met with tears and a standing ovation from the entire room.
