American Friends of NATAL hosted its annual gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Nov. 10, rallying supporters around NATAL’s trauma care and resilience programs in Israel.
The cocktail-attire evening, themed “Communities of Hope: Standing With Israel in the Aftermath of October 7th,” took place inside the former Bowery Savings Bank building at 110 East 42nd Street, now home to Cipriani 42nd Street. The spacious venue glowed in deep blue light, with carved marble columns, arched walls and a soaring ceiling above tables dressed in fresh flowers. Upon walking through the main entrance, guests were met with the red carpet and cocktail hour before moving into the ballroom for dinner. Among the leaders on the carpet were NATAL Board Chair Ruben Krupik, NATAL CEO Gilad Nusboim, and AFN board member Dr. Dity Brunn, a clinical psychologist. Influencers also turned out. Zach Sage Fox, a comedian, actor, and content creator who has become a prominent online voice online since Oct. 7, attended, as did influencer Bianca Jade.
By The Knockturnal
After guests sat at their respective tables, Meital Waldmann opened the program with Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah,” and then “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This was followed by welcome remarks from AFN CEO Maayan Aviv and NATAL CEO Gilad Nusboim. NATAL says it has handled more than 100,000 helpline calls since Oct. 7, 2023.
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A panel moderated by AFN board member Candice Moss featured Shaked Arieli, director of NATAL’s Career Development Unit, and Ilay David, who has advocated publicly for the release of hostages, including his younger brother, Evyatar David, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and released Oct. 13, 2025. Arieli’s unit pairs trauma treatment with career coaching and has grown four times larger since Oct. 7. AFN Board Chair Ran Eliasaf then delivered a message from the board.
Auctioneer Lydia Fenet then led the paddle raise, starting at $36,000 and stepping down in smaller increments. A screen displayed to guests what each value level could fund. At $18,000, for example, a slide said a gift would cover complete neurofeedback treatment for six people coping with trauma, 15 sessions each. Beneath the banner “Every Gift Makes an Impact,” guests raised their paddles at each level in efforts to help victims of PTSD.
By The Knockturnal
After dinner, Brunn introduced the evening’s special guest, Alon Ohel, a pianist from Lavon who was abducted from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and released on Oct. 13, 2025, after 738 days in captivity. Alon Ohel performed and shared his story, accompanied by musician Ronen Ohel, his brother. This was the most impactful moment of the night. Hearing a message of hope firsthand from someone who has endured such pain was an incredibly moving moment for all guests in attendance. Alon Ohel played the piano and sang while his brother played the guitar.
Krupik gave closing remarks, and guests stayed for a dessert reception that ran until 10 p.m. Proceeds from the gala support NATAL’s therapy programs.
