American Friends of NATAL Holds NYC Gala for Israel's Mental Health Crisis, Featuring Returned Hostage Alon Ohel

"Communities of Hope" evening supports NATAL's trauma therapy programs as Israel faces post-trauma rates that have nearly doubled since October 7th

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- American Friends of NATAL (AFN) hosted its "Communities of Hope" Gala on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. More than 400 guests from the worlds of business, real estate, banking and philanthropy, along with longtime supporters of mental health, gathered to support NATAL – Israel's Trauma and Resiliency Center. It was an international affair, with guests traveling from near and far to be part of the night. The evening's emotional highs came from a musical performance by returned hostage Alon Ohel and a deeply personal conversation with Israeli activist Ilay David.

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AFN Board Chair Ran Eliasaf, Founder and Managing Partner of Northwind Group, the gala’s Platinum Sponsor, addressed guests and spoke personally about his family’s connection to NATAL. “My father’s generation was told, ‘You went through something bad. Don’t talk about it,’” said Eliasaf. “NATAL exists so the next generation doesn’t have to carry it in silence. After October 7th, NATAL’s services are needed more than ever. That’s why my wife Isabelle and I encourage our family to be a part of the mission.” Their daughter, 11-year-old Emily, was so moved by the evening’s presentation that she decided, unscripted, to go up on stage and share a few words with guests about what NATAL means to her.

The Music That Kept Him Strong
The emotional peak of the night came when AFN Board Member Dr. Dity Brunn introduced Alon Ohel, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Wounded by shrapnel in his eye, shoulder and arm, Ohel spent 738 days in Hamas captivity, much of it shackled in tunnels beneath Gaza. A pianist since the age of nine, he sat down at the piano with his brother, Ronen, beside him on guitar. Between songs, he shared the story behind each one, telling guests that in his darkest moments, it was music that kept him strong. When the last note faded, the entire room rose to its feet with teary eyes and deep admiration.

An Evening of Survival and Hope
AFN CEO Maayan Aviv and NATAL's new CEO, Gilad Nusboim, took the stage together to share how NATAL has met a nation's surging need since October 7th, and how it plans to reach even more Israelis in the years ahead. "Our mission is not only to help people survive, but to help them live again," said Nusboim. "The war may end, but the journey of healing will continue for years. And we will be there."

In one of the evening’s most powerful moments, Ilay David, whose brother, Evyatar, was taken from the Nova music festival and held hostage in Gaza until October 2025, and Shaked Arieli, Director of NATAL’s Career Development Unit spoke on a panel led by AFN Board Member Candice Moss. David spoke openly about how hard it was for his parents to cope in the early days, and how he made the decision to fight to bring his brother home.

The program also included a welcome video from The First Lady of the State of Israel, Mrs. Michal Herzog, and the national anthems, performed by Meital Waldmann.

Notable guests included content creators Zach Sage Fox, Martina Dechevska, Bianca Jade, Joseph Weitzel, Einat Ben-Moshe, and actress Kadia Saraf (Dexter: Resurrection, Law & Order: SVU).

A Nation Still Healing
"What NATAL has done for Israel this year would not have been possible without you," said Aviv. "Over the years, NATAL has helped more than 700,000 Israelis. Behind every number is a human story: a mother, a father, a child. Someone who has lost their sense of safety."

NATAL has operated in a state of emergency since October 7th. Before the war, it treated about 300 patients a week. Within months, it was treating 3,500 which is more than ten times as many. During the 39 days of missile attacks from Iran this spring, calls to NATAL's helpline rose by more than a third, to over 9,300 calls in under six weeks. Since the attacks, post-trauma rates in Israel have nearly doubled, and about 30% of the population is experiencing some form of PTSD.

This year, NATAL's helpline volunteers and social workers have answered over 30,000 calls, and its clinicians have treated over 5,000 patients. NATAL reached communities across Israel, from Druze villages in the north to the Gaza envelope, and from Nova survivors to former hostages and military families. It also launched partnerships with Hatzalah, El Al, Amdocs and Aroma to support first responders, aircrews and workplaces.

A Night of Giving
Auctioneer Lydia Fenet led a spirited paddle raise. Paddles went up across the ballroom at every level, with multiple raises for each fund-a-need. Funds raised will support therapy for individuals and couples, as well as programs such as surf therapy and other proven therapeutic approaches.

Closing the evening, Ruben Krupik, Board Chair of NATAL, thanked guests on behalf of NATAL in Israel. "A nation's true strength is measured not only by its ability to defend itself, but by its commitment to heal its people," he said. "This is NATAL's mission. And you, our friends and supporters, make this mission possible."

The Gala Committee included Ran Eliasaf, David Kostman, Dr. Dity Brunn, and Candice Moss. The evening’s generous sponsors included Platinum Sponsor Northwind Group; Gold Sponsors Hudson Valley Property Group and Toni Young; Silver Sponsors Polsinelli and Dr. Dity Brunn; Bronze Sponsors Royal Abstract / Martin Kravet, Jefferies, Tower Abstract and Landau Properties; and Supporters GFP Real Estate, Continental Abstract, Candice Moss, David Kostman, The Slusher Family, EON, Nelson Mullins and Lincoln Land Services. Centerpieces were sponsored by Michael Sabin, the Cocktail Reception by Citrin Cooperman and Langdon Title, Piano Sponsor by Key bank, and the Coat Check by Barone Steel.

Every ticket and sponsorship goes directly toward NATAL's therapy programs. Donations can be made at afnatal.org/afngala.

About American Friends of NATAL
American Friends of NATAL (AFN) supports NATAL, Israel's leading trauma-focused organization. Since October 7th, NATAL has delivered more than 100,000 hours of therapy and community resources to Israelis, from the Druze in the north to families in the south. It also shares its expertise abroad, including in Ukraine, with partner organizations in the UK and Switzerland. AFN holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. For more information, visit afnatal.org.

Nataly Blumberg
NB Communications
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