"Open Your Heart Reveal Your Inner Beauty" Sephora Event September 25, 2011

Sephora on the UWS in Manhattan was buzzing with 150 women enjoying a 'Girls Night Out' filled with makeovers, wine tasting, incredible raffle prizes, hors d'oeuvres, music, gift bags filled with beauty products and more. The place was filled with an incredible energy as the women came together to support an important cause: Victims of Terrorism.

The most inspiring part of the evening was our special speaker, Diana, who shared here story of survival 14 years ago when she was visiting Israel. She became the victim of a terrorist attack in Jerusalem on September 4, 1997, which took the lives of 7 innnocent people and injured 192, 8 critically. Diana was one of the 2 most critically injured. As she stated so articulately that evening "sometimes when you are injured in a terrorist attack, if your outside doesn't look the same, it's hard for your insides to heal". We are all concerned about our appearances but Diana made us realize the extent of struggles that victims go through after surviving and that the long term effects can last a lifetime.

Special THANK YOU goes to the Event Chairs, Susie Baumohl & Robyn Polansky who worked tirelessly to make the event a success along with their dedicated committee Dahlia Bellows, Sara Blum, Yvette Cabrera, Yedida Eisenstadt, Erica Elkin, Chanie Gottlieb, Tania Grouman, Seagal Hagege, Fortune Harari, Yehudis Isenberg, Eeris Kalish, Shira Kronenberg, Alisa Adler Landau, Elizabeth Lenrow, Faina Levitsky, Alicia Post, Rochel Saks, Leora Sarna, Deby Schnaider, Nava Silton, Sarri Singer, Lindsay Sohacheski, Adele Suveyke and Rachel Yona.

Thank you to our event sponsors: ASG Real Estate, Eden Wok, Royal Wine Corp, SEPHORA and the cosmetic sponsors Bliss, Fresh, Guerlain, Hourglass, Jurlique, Lancome, Oscar Blandi, Sadick, Dermatology, Smashbox and Tarte.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Young Ambassador’s Program. The Young Ambassadors, ages 14-20, who participate in the semi-annual program come from various cultures and religions around the world - yet share the common bond of having been victimized by terrorism. The participants tour New York City, meet with political and community leaders, and share their stories with peers who have endured similar experiences. This powerful experience aims to empower the children to move forward for their future, despite the trauma they have experienced in losing either a parent or family member in a terrorist attack.

Photo credits: Michael Priest Photography