In a night filled with deep emotion, reflection, and artistic unity, over 300 individuals came together at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to witness The Art of Healing: Piecing Ourselves Back Together Again. Hosted by the non-profit Mental Health IsReal (MHI), the event marked the official debut of the Global Healing Blanket, a global initiative that intertwines art, identity, and resilience to foster healing across the world.
Mental Health IsReal: A Movement of Connection and Healing
Mental Health IsReal, founded by mindset coach and motivational speaker Rona Lalezary, arose in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, growing into a worldwide movement committed to mental wellness. With a focus on community-centered healing, creative expression, and therapeutic technology, the organization has quickly made its mark on the global stage.
The evening drew a diverse group of attendees, including community members, survivors, families, and prominent public figures who use their voices to encourage healing. Special guests included Sharon Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke, Daniella Clarke, film producer Howard Rosenman, And Just Like That producer Chris Collins, Debbie Peiser, Joy Sirott Hurwitz, and Tal Navarro.
Art and Sound as Pathways to Healing
Guests participated in a powerful evening, moving between reflective storytelling stations and hands-on creative spaces where they designed art squares infused with personal emotions. Notable survivors and activists, including Lee Sasi and Eli Landau, along with artist Tomer Peretz and Rona Lalezary, shared messages of resilience aimed at younger generations. The evening’s culmination came with an EMDR sound therapy session, using Biotunes headphones and soothing guided audio to help everyone experience the power of creative healing.
A Child’s Insight Shines Through
One of the most poignant moments of the event came from a 7-year-old participant who, after completing her art square, said:
“When I help somebody, it helps me. When other people help me, it helps them. So, we all feel better by helping.”
Stitching a New Future Together
Mental Health IsReal is working to transform how Jewish communities approach emotional wellness through initiatives like the Global Healing Blanket. This project represents more than just fabric and thread it is a powerful symbol of connection and resilience that grows stronger with every participant.
A New Narrative: From Pain to Empowerment
This event marked a significant shift in the narrative for the Jewish community, moving from a story of victimhood to one of hope and empowerment. Instead of dwelling on past trauma, The Art of Healing emphasized the importance of rebuilding through creativity, light, and unity. With the Global Healing Blanket, Mental Health IsReal is providing communities with a unique way to process trauma while forging meaningful connections.
“Through my work I have seen this universal truth: the very same space that houses our greatest pain houses our greatest power. This is true both individually and collectively. And this quilt we are launching today is the catalyst where, as a nation and a global community, we move from pain to power, from being victims to becoming survivors, and from surviving to thriving.”
Rona Lalezary Founder: Mental Health IsReal and The Global Healing Blanket
