Terra's David Martin & Northwind's Ran Eliasaf Make the Case for Business-Led Philanthropy at AFN's "Evening of Impact"

Real estate leaders, philanthropists & supporters gathered in South Beach to support NATAL - Israel's Leading Trauma and Resiliency Center.

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, November 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ran Eliasaf, founder of Northwind Group and Board Chair of American Friends of NATAL (AFN), and David Martin, CEO of Terra Group, took the stage with moderator Paul Hess, Principal at BeHold Property Group, for a fireside conversation on business, philanthropy, and resilience at AFN's "An Evening of Impact" at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. This was the organization’s first formal event in Miami. Over 100 guests, including Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, his wife, Shanyn, and Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr., gathered on the hotel's oceanfront terrace for cocktails, conversation, and a close look at how NATAL helps people heal after war and terror.

The crowd reflected Miami itself: developers and investors, longtime philanthropists, community leaders and young professionals. Several guests remarked that few events in the city bring so many generations together around a single cause.

WHERE BUSINESS AND PHILANTHROPY MEET
Eliasaf, Martin, and Hess, three active real estate investors, spoke about leadership, risk, mentorship and the role business can play in strengthening communities. The conversation went beyond writing a check. Speakers talked about how business leaders can put their networks and expertise to work for NATAL's mission.

Martin, who founded Terra in 2001 and has shaped more than eight million square feet of South Florida real estate, brought a builder's view of community. His firm is known for pairing ambitious design with resilience and public space, and Martin serves on Miami-Dade's Biscayne Bay Task Force and Sea Level Rise Committee and chairs the Neighborhoods Committee for The Underline.

TAKING NATAL'S EXPERTISE TO THE WORLD
A central theme was NATAL Global, the organization's effort to share what it has learned from decades of treating trauma from war and terror with communities around the world. Its "train the trainers" model prepares local professionals to treat trauma where it happens, so communities don't depend on outside help when a crisis hits.

That work is increasingly relevant at home. Guests discussed potential upcoming NATAL programs in the United States, and the unease many American Jewish communities feel as antisemitism rises.

A PERSONAL STORY, THREE GENERATIONS DEEP
The night's most moving moment came when Eliasaf shared why NATAL matters to him. His father was an Israeli Air Force fighter pilot. One of his father's closest friends from flight school, the late Dr. Itamar Barnea, was shot down over Syria during the 1973 Yom Kippur War and held as a prisoner of war. When he returned, Barnea turned to psychology. He went on to serve as chief psychologist of the Israeli Air Force, then of the IDF, and later of NATAL.

"My father's generation was told, 'You went through something bad. Don't talk about it. Go back to flying,'" Eliasaf said. "I think his entire generation has been dealing with trauma. Walking into NATAL and finding Itamar there, I understood what this place is for: so the next generation doesn't have to carry it in silence. After October 7, NATAL's services are needed even more."

Eliasaf also spoke about the values that he and his wife, Isabelle Bichler-Eliasaf, try to provide their children. It was a theme that ran through the night: what one generation gives the next.

"MIAMI SHOWED UP"
"At this event, Miami showed up for Israel's healing," said Maayan Aviv, CEO of American Friends of NATAL. "We had people who remember 1973, parents raising families through today's headlines, and young leaders who want to build something that lasts, all in one room, all asking how they can help. Trauma doesn't end when the fighting stops. Left untreated, it passes from one generation to the next. Breaking that cycle is NATAL's work, and Miami is now part of it."

All proceeds from the evening support NATAL's trauma treatment and resilience programs in Israel.

American Friends of NATAL extends its deep gratitude to the evening's sponsors, David Hait, Doron Valero of Global Fund Investments Inc. and aedn, whose generosity made the night possible, and to The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach for hosting.

NEXT: THE AFN ANNUAL GALA, NOVEMBER 10
The momentum from Miami carries straight to New York. The American Friends of NATAL Annual Gala takes place Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM in New York City and will feature returned hostage Alon Ohel, who will speak and perform. For tickets, sponsorships or journal ads visit https://www.afnatal.org/afngala.

A SEASON OF MOMENTUM
The Miami evening caps a busy season for American Friends of NATAL:

- "Resilience Under Pressure," October 8, World Trade Center, New York City. AFN's annual seminar, presented with Columbia University Irving Medical Center, drew more than 200 experts, practitioners and advocates to explore the communal effects of collective trauma on families, relationships and communities, with frontline insights into the evolving field of trauma care.

- The Hampton Synagogue, July 9. The Hampton Synagogue welcomed AFN for an evening in support of NATAL, featuring a Q&A between Rabbi Marc Schneier and Rabbi Doron Peretz, president of the World Zionist Organization and World Mizrahi.

- An evening at the Eliasaf home, July 5, the Hamptons. Ran Eliasaf and Isabelle Bichler-Eliasaf welcomed the AFN community into their home for a look at NATAL's work over the past year, remarks from AFN partners including Pastor Chris Harris, and a moving Q&A with Agam and Meirav Berger, facilitated by AFN board member Dr. Dity Brunn.

ABOUT AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NATAL
NATAL – Israel Trauma & Resiliency Center is Israel's largest organization treating trauma from war and terror. The apolitical nonprofit provides treatment and support to victims of war and terror, builds resilience and works to reduce the stigma around post-trauma. American Friends of NATAL (AFN), a New York–based 501(c)(3), supports and strengthens NATAL's work and partners with U.S. organizations to bring NATAL's expertise in trauma preparedness and recovery to American communities. Learn more at afnatal.org.

Nataly Blumberg
NB Communications
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