Left to right: David Yarden (co-chair ELEM-ENTRY), Michelle Carlin (Executive Director), Yuval Sheer (co-chair ELEM-ENTRY) and Avi Ashman (NY Israeli Wine Loving Club). Photo: Harel Rintzler.

Fashion week may have come and gone but the ELEM fundraiser at Soho’s Opera gallery on February 12 proved yet again that a penchant for all things art is alive and well on the New York charity circuit.

Guests sampled an array of Israeli boutique wine whilst the East Village’s Bat Or Kalo jazz band played on.  Since 1982, ELEM has been aiding Israel’s population of at-risk youth become more productive citizens through its network of counseling centers, shelters, rehabilitation services vocational training and other social services.  ELEM estimates that there are 300,000 children living on Israel’s streets and its programs assist 20,000 annually from all backgrounds across 40 towns nationwide.

Yuval Sheer, co-chair of the organization’s young leadership division, ELEM-ENTRY, explained that ELEM helps those that are ‘invisible in Israeli society’ and offers ‘opportunities for a better life’.  Proceeds from the lively impromptu wine auction led by Avi Ashman of New York’s Israeli wine loving club, will be directed at ELEM’s mentoring program, Derech Hamelech.