“ELEM is literally out there every single day, doing work that matters – that saves and changes lives,” he said. “We all have a role to play: bring Jewish life into public spaces, be proud, and advocate for who we are.”

The event, hosted by American Friends of ELEM CEO Liora Attias-Hadar and President Lenore Ruben, marked more than 40 years of ELEM’s work supporting young people from all backgrounds – Jewish, Druze, LGBTQIA+, Orthodox and secular – across Israel.

Attias-Hadar said: “What inspires me every day is seeing young people discover that they are not defined by the trauma they’ve lived through.”

Ruben reflected on the legacy of Roei Shalev, last year’s honouree and Nova festival survivor who tragically took his own life earlier this year. “So many of the young people we work with carry heavy trauma and often feel they are falling through the cracks,” she said. “We do not have the privilege to give up or break down.”

Funds raised from the benefit will go toward ELEM’s emergency and long-term support programmes for displaced youth, Nova survivors and young people affected by the war, providing safe spaces, mental health care and education initiatives across Israel.