On the evening of Nov. 10th, over 500 supporters gathered at Pier 60 in NYC for the 20th Anniversary Gala of American Friends of NATAL (AFN), hosted by actor and advocate Michael Rapaport. The sold-out event brought together business leaders, philanthropists, clinicians and artists for a night of remembrance, resilience and unwavering commitment to Israel’s mental health crisis.
Held at a pivotal moment in Israel’s recovery from terror and war, the gala spotlighted NATAL – Israel’s Trauma and Resiliency Center and its comprehensive work supporting those affected by PTSD and trauma.
“This is a pivotal moment as Israel is now transitioning from wartime survival to the long and complex journey of psychological recovery. The trauma is the real fight that’s just getting started. The profound mental health toll of prolonged terror and war is a new crisis emerging as the nation exhales. We’re seeing a dramatic, terrifying shift: 44% of NATAL’s patients are now young adults, aged 20 to 30, up from 19% previously. This highlights the immense toll on the young generation,” said Michael Rapaport during his opening remarks. Rapaport also helped to launch the Unfiltered Fund, a creative giving initiative to turn unfiltered language into therapy hours.
A Night of Stories, Art and Action
The evening included remarks from Ambassador Ofir Akunis, consul general of Israel in New York, who spoke about the importance of global support, resilience and standing with Israel during this unprecedented mental health crisis.
Maayan Aviv, CEO, American Friends of NATAL reflected on the evening, “This year feels different. The pain is deeper, the trauma more widespread, but so is the determination to heal. We’re seeing record numbers of young people in crisis, families shattered by war and communities struggling to breathe again. NATAL meets them where they are—with expertise, compassion and care. And thanks to everyone in this room, we can continue to ensure that no one in Israel has to heal alone.”
Adding to the evening’s message of strength and solidarity, Pastor Chris Harris of Bright Star Church in Chicago, sang a stirring rendition of Israel’s national anthem “Hatikvah.” The evening also included a live art exhibit curated by the Unframed Art Collective that was a powerful visual centerpiece that invited guests into the emotional journey of trauma and healing.
The evening honored David Kostman, outgoing AFN Board Chair, for his 12 years of visionary leadership, presented by NATAL Founder Jude Yovel Recanati and Board Chair Ran Eliasaf. “As someone who grew up on Israeli air force bases and served in the Navy, I’ve seen how the invisible wounds of war can last a lifetime. NATAL’s mission to heal psychological trauma, often the hardest kind to see, is deeply personal to me and my family. Tonight marks my first Gala as Chairman of American Friends of NATAL, and it comes at a time when Israel is facing a tidal wave of PTSD and rolling trauma. With the return of hostages and the emotional toll only beginning to surface, NATAL’s work is more urgent than ever.” said Eliasaf. “Tonight marks a renewed promise to expand our impact and ensure every person has access to life-changing mental health care.”
Honoring the Alexanders: A Family’s Strength Amid Unimaginable Hardship
One of the most powerful moments of the evening was the recognition of Yael and Adi Alexander, parents of Edan Alexander, who was held hostage by Hamas for 584 days before his release. In an extraordinary act of resilience, Edan recently made the decision to return to Israel and rejoin the IDF, the embodiment of strength, courage and the unbreakable Israeli spirit.
Ran Eliasaf, a friend of the Alexander family, introduced a surprise tribute video from Varda Ben Baruch, Edan’s grandmother, recorded in Israel specifically for the Gala. Shared publicly for the first time, Varda’s heartfelt message brought the room to a standstill and reminded all in attendance that even in the darkest moments, there is light and that NATAL is there to help people find it again.
Spotlight: Live Podcast Conversation with a Trauma Survivor-Turned-Helper
In a powerful segment hosted by Michael Rapaport, the gala featured a live podcast-style conversation titled “Helping the Helpers,” with Daniel Goldstein, a 33-year-old reservist, licensed social worker and trauma survivor. Goldstein, who has served 417 days since October 7th while coping with PTSD, now leads NATAL’s Peer Support Program, a community-driven model that trains survivors to help others navigate trauma.
“Resilience isn’t a finish line—it’s a decision we make every day,” said Goldstein. “This program helps people find strength in each other, especially those who wouldn’t otherwise ask for help.”
Record-Breaking Support Reflects Growing Commitment to Mental Health Recovery
This year’s Gala marked a historic milestone for American Friends of NATAL, with record-breaking individual ticket sales and an extraordinary show of corporate and community support. Generous sponsorships from organizations including Northwind Group, GFP Real Estate, Arete, IDB Bank, Royal Abstract, Jefferies, OakNorth, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Polsinelli, Complete Care, Tirosh & Team, Mayer Brown and Noble Care Marketing helped power an evening of purpose, resilience and healing. Their support underscores a growing commitment across industries to stand with Israel during its mental health crisis and invest in long-term trauma recovery.
Thank you to Ran Eliasaf AFN’s Board Chair, the support of his family including the unwavering support from his wife Isabelle, his parents and even his children! And to the AFN Board: David Kostman, for twelve years of leadership and impact. Andrew Malik, Dity Brunn, David Kostman, Esti Cohen, Jason Bordainick, Linda Frieze, Rabbi Michael Siegel, Sara Rubenstein, Toni Young and Darel Benaim.
To our NATAL – Israel’s Trauma and Resiliency Center team in Israel who joined us and those that could not, your dedication is inspiring: Efrat Shaprut, Prof. Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, Ifat Morad, Sharon Yeheskel-Oron, Lior Bezalel and Hadar Ben-Sira Rothman.
