American Friends of NATAL raises funds at NYC gala for Israel's trauma care

American Friends of NATAL brought more than 400 guests to Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on Tuesday for a gala supporting Israel's trauma therapy network. The event centered on the mental health toll of the war, with returned hostage Alon Ohel performing and NATAL leaders saying demand for care has surged since Oct. 7.

Why it matters: - Israel's post-trauma needs have surged since Oct. 7, and NATAL says the demand has outpaced its prewar capacity by more than tenfold. - The gala funneled private donations toward therapy programs, helpline support and other mental health services for civilians, first responders and families still coping with the war. - The event also highlighted how trauma care has become a longer-term national recovery issue, not just an emergency response.

What happened: - American Friends of NATAL hosted its "Communities of Hope" gala on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. - More than 400 guests from business, real estate, banking and philanthropy attended to support NATAL, Israel's Trauma and Resiliency Center. - Returned hostage Alon Ohel performed at the gala with his brother, Ronen, on guitar. - Israeli activist Ilay David took part in a personal conversation and panel discussion during the evening. - AFN Board Chair Ran Eliasaf, Northwind Group Founder and Managing Partner, addressed guests and spoke about his family's connection to NATAL. - Eliasaf's 11-year-old daughter, Emily, also went on stage and shared remarks about what NATAL means to her.

The details: - Ohel was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and spent 738 days in Hamas captivity. - Ohel was wounded by shrapnel in his eye, shoulder and arm, and said music kept him strong during his darkest moments. - NATAL CEO Gilad Nusboim said the mission is to help people survive and live again, and that healing will continue long after the war ends. - Ilay David said his brother, Evyatar, was taken from the Nova music festival and held hostage in Gaza until October 2025. - The program included a welcome video from Michal Herzog, first lady of Israel, and the national anthems performed by Meital Waldmann. - Notable guests included Zach Sage Fox, Martina Dechevska, Bianca Jade, Joseph Weitzel, Einat Ben-Moshe and actress Kadia Saraf. - Auctioneer Lydia Fenet led a paddle raise that helped drive donations throughout the ballroom. - Funds raised will support therapy for individuals and couples, along with surf therapy and other therapeutic approaches.

Between the lines: - The gala framed mental health care as part of Israel's broader wartime recovery, with speakers tying personal loss to a national trauma crisis. - NATAL's growth reflects that shift: before the war, the organization treated about 300 patients a week, and within months that number rose to 3,500. - During 39 days of missile attacks from Iran this spring, calls to NATAL's helpline climbed by more than a third to over 9,300 in under six weeks. - NATAL said post-trauma rates in Israel have nearly doubled, and about 30% of the population is experiencing some form of PTSD. - The organization said helpline volunteers and social workers answered more than 30,000 calls this year, while clinicians treated more than 5,000 patients. - NATAL has also expanded outreach to Druze villages in the north, the Gaza envelope, Nova survivors, former hostages and military families. - Partnerships with Hatzalah, El Al, Amdocs and Aroma were launched to support first responders, aircrews and workplaces.

What's next: - Gala proceeds will continue flowing into NATAL's therapy programs, including care for individuals and couples and specialized therapeutic offerings. - NATAL says it expects the need for trauma care to continue for years, even after the war ends. - Donations can be made at AFN's gala page. - AFN says NATAL has delivered more than 100,000 hours of therapy and community resources since Oct. 7 and also shares trauma expertise abroad, including in Ukraine and with partners in the UK and Switzerland.

The bottom line: - The gala turned a high-profile New York fundraiser into a public case for why Israel's mental health infrastructure needs sustained support long after the fighting stops.