American Friends of NATAL expands trauma care support and IDF partnership

American Friends of NATAL says it is deepening support for NATAL’s trauma services through a new IDF partnership, international training programs and fundraising events in New York. The organization is also highlighting NATAL’s rising caseload after more than two years of war-related mental health demand.

Why it matters: - NATAL is facing sustained demand tied to war, terror and antisemitism, with long-term mental health consequences for survivors, families and frontline responders. - American Friends of NATAL is using partnerships, grants and events to expand trauma care capacity in Israel, the U.S. and the U.K. - The new work includes targeted support for IDF personnel, Jewish communities abroad and women coping with family crisis.

What happened: - American Friends of NATAL announced new partnerships and events supporting NATAL: Israel’s Trauma and Resiliency Center. - NATAL has handled more than 120,000 helpline calls over the last two-plus years. - NATAL has delivered 114,000 hours of individual clinical treatment. - NATAL has provided 25,000 hours of workshops for families, reservists, students, Nova festival survivors and community organizations. - NATAL was designated the exclusive provider of mental health services for the IDF Hostages and Missing Persons Command. - AFN said it will hold its annual gala on Nov. 10, 2026, in New York City. - AFN also said NATAL has published a new book, Line of Light.

The details: - NATAL is building a specialized clinical protocol for family liaison officers in the IDF Hostages and Missing Persons Command, where prolonged exposure to trauma creates a risk of secondary trauma. - NATAL will be the sole body training therapists to treat trauma within that IDF unit. - In Manchester, U.K., NATAL clinicians worked with the United Jewish Israel Appeal to provide resilience training to a Jewish community facing rising antisemitism and terror threats. - The Manchester training followed an earlier 2025 deployment after the terror attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue. - In Baltimore, AFN secured a grant from the Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation to support NATAL’s Mothers on the Home Front program. - The program creates confidential spaces for women to learn coping strategies, parenting guidance during family crises and self-care practices. - AFN hosted a July 9 event at the Hampton Synagogue in the Hamptons. - The event included a Q&A between Rabbi Marc Schneier and Rabbi Doron Peretz, president of the World Zionist Organization and World Mizrahi. - Peretz discussed the death and hostage-taking of his son, Daniel, and described the emotional tension of grief and resilience. - AFN also hosted an intimate gathering at the home of Ran Eliasaf and Isabelle Bichler-Eliasaf. - The evening featured a conversation with Meirav and Agam Berger, facilitated by AFN board member Dr. Dity Brunn. - Pastor Chris Harris, Rabbi Marc Schneier and the daughters of Ran and Isabelle also spoke at the gathering. - NATAL’s new book, Line of Light, includes chapters from nonprofits that worked together under NATAL’s leadership during the war. - AFN said platinum and gold sponsors, and any sponsors who confirm before July 31, will receive access to a private reception at the gala. - More information is available in the company's announcement. - AFN CEO Maayan Aviv said the group is working to ensure no one has to face trauma alone.

Between the lines: - The announcement shows AFN broadening its model beyond fundraising into direct program support, training and public awareness. - The IDF partnership signals that trauma care is becoming more specialized for groups exposed to prolonged psychological strain. - The events in the Hamptons and New York point to a donor strategy built around community, personal testimony and high-visibility convenings. - The focus on antisemitism in Manchester and family support in Baltimore suggests AFN is linking Israel-based trauma care with Jewish diaspora needs.

What's next: - AFN will continue building support ahead of its Nov. 10 gala in Manhattan. - NATAL is likely to keep expanding trauma services as war-related and community-level mental health needs persist. - The IDF unit-specific protocol and therapist training program are expected to roll out as the partnership develops. - AFN is also positioning community events and the new book as tools to sustain awareness and fundraising.