New York Gala 2026
- October 27, 2026
- 6:00 PM General Reception
- 7:30 PM Program
- Midtown Manhattan
- Location given upon registration
- Keynote Speaker: Bret Stephens
- Hosted by StandWithUs Northeast
Keynote Speaker
Bret Stephens
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Bret Stephens is an Opinion columnist for The New York Times and editor-in-chief of Sapir (sapirjournal.org), a new quarterly dedicated to exploring issues of Jewish concern. He has previously worked as foreign-affairs columnist for The Wall Street Journal and as editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post. He is the author of “America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder” (2014). Among his many prizes and distinctions are the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary, the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and three honorary doctorates. In 2022 he was banned for life by the government of Russia from visiting that country. He was raised in Mexico City and educated at the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics. He lives with his wife Corinna, a classical music critic, outside of New York City. They have three children.
Community Honoree
Nelson & Stacey
Braff
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Coming soon
Community Honoree
Abby & David
Doft
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Coming soon
IsraelLINK Honoree
Sharon Solomon
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Sharon Solomon serves as the Director of Education at Merrick Jewish Centre in Merrick, NY. A native Israeli and Hebrew speaker, Sharon is deeply committed to helping others embrace Hebrew not only for religious purposes but as a living, spoken language.
Under Sharon’s leadership, the ShinShin program on Long Island has flourished. Her school was among the first to host a ShinShin, a young Israeli emissary, reflecting its longstanding commitment to Israel education. Israel education remains a core focus of Sharon’s work. She has relied heavily on IsraelLINK to provide up-to-date educational materials and resources on Israel, its history, culture, and community, while also connecting staff with continuing education and support.
Sharon serves on the board of the Queens College Center for Jewish Studies and is an active member and co-chair of the Inclusion Committee at Temple Beth Sholom. The committee works to ensure that every student, regardless of learning style or ability, has the support and resources needed to thrive and feel a true sense of belonging. Her impact extends beyond the classroom through her involvement with the Queens College Center for Jewish Studies.
Sharon holds a BA in Elementary Education from Queens College and an MA in ESL from Adelphi University. She also holds certifications in administration from the Principal’s Leadership Institute of Long Island and in congregational school administration from the Leadership Institute of the Jewish.
Emerson Honoree
Angelina Palumbo
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Angelina Palumbo graduated from Binghamton University in May 2026, where she served as a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow from 2025 to 2026. Angelina was the president of the Binghamton University Zionist Organization (BUZO), where she planned and executed more than 30 programs to educate her community about Israel. She is continuing her passion for Israel advocacy as a Social Media Manager at the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Leventhal Honoree
Maayan Amsterdamer
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Maayan Amsterdamer was born in Israel and now lives in Upstate New York, where she is a senior at Bethlehem Central High School. She currently serves as a Defense Attorney in the Bethlehem Youth Court, helping young people take accountability for their actions and find a better path forward. She is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish Honor Society. She serves as President of the Jewish Student Union and Event Planner for the English Honor Society.
As a Kenneth Leventhal StandWithUs Intern, Maayan worked to help build a safer future for the Jewish community. Her dedication to this work earned her the distinction of Intern of the Year. She continues to advocate for Israel as a Tikvah Scholar, CTeen Leader, and Hebrew School Teacher. Her commitment to service extends beyond the classroom through her volunteer work at Shalom Food Pantry, where she designed the “Shabbat Box,” providing low-income Jewish families with everything they need to experience a meaningful Shabbat dinner.
Outside of academics and community service, Maayan is a varsity Track and Field athlete and team captain, where she emphasizes discipline, perseverance, and personal growth. In 2025, she was honored to serve as Miss Israel at her region’s Festival of Nations, representing Israel and the Jewish community of Albany. Above all, Maayan hopes to help create a world free from sinat chinam and hatred, by leading with compassion, service, and understanding.
Host Committee
- Ilan Bruhim
- Arlene & Avrom Doft
- Gail & Matt Eilers
- Ward Goldberg
- Karyn Kornfeld & Steven Kobre
- Alice & Tom Tisch
- Lisa & Mark Todes
- David Schwartz
Will food be available?
Hors d’oeuvres, Wine, Dinner, and Dessert will be served. Kosher under the Vaad.
Who can I contact for more information?
Our Events team – events@standwithus.com
Join us!
