Omri Casspi, the first Israeli basketball player to reach the NBA; Jewish-American publicist Ben Shapiro; and attorney Natasha Hausdorff lit the 'Bridge to the World' torch. Casspi said he lights the torch 'in honor of Diaspora Jewry, particularly American Jewry, which mobilized with full generosity, and for the special connection between Jews from all corners of the world – a bond we are committed to protecting with all vigilance.' Shapiro dedicated the torch to 'the heroes and dreamers who stand together against enemies.'
