For this year’s Gala, JICNY is glitzing it up with red carpet feel, infusing Caribbean, African and European cuisine and music, not to mention specialty cocktails and performances. It will be a special night as the organization is honoring six individuals in the community, along with the opportunity to meet 500 young Jewish professionals from dozens of cultural backgrounds.

Renatt Brodsky, a resident of the Upper East Side and a freelance writer, was last year’s recipient of the Young Leadership Award after her three years of volunteer service. This year she is co-chairing the Gala on the Event Committee.

“Every person in our database of over 10,000 people has their own story about how the JICNY has impacted their life,” Brodsky says. “Whether they met their husband or wife at a JICNY Shabbat dinner, were referred to a job by a JICNY board member or found an amazing sublet on an apartment by making a new JICNY friend at Monday Torah class, every person who walks through the JICNY is forever changed.”

And that is why, Brodsky says, people pay the ticket price ($195) to attend the event. They want to give back to the JICNY, she says.

“There are thousands of stories to tell and so many lives that have been changed. And because of the difference that the JICNY makes in their lives, internationals continue to come to events, programs and classes as well as support the gala,” Brodsky says.

Founded by Steve Eisenberg and Jodi and Gavin Samuels, the JICNY has served as a home away from home for those moving to New York city or just passing by. The organization has connected a 20s-30s Jewish population to community, learning, career and relationship opportunities. Starting as just a simple Shabbat dinner in their home in 2000, the founders have hosted more than 6,000 people in their home since. Those who now live outside of New York have become ambassadors, so to speak, to JICNY connecting Jews from their communities back to the organization.

The organization hosts classes and events on a weekly basis, and now that summer is coming, JICNY is hosting a WhiteWater Rafting trip and an “Eat Under the Stars” night.

The JICNY is here, Brodsky says, so that no one has to feel lonely or be without a Jewish family. No matter where one comes from, they have a home with JICNY.

To buy tickets for the upcoming Gala or find out about other opportunities to get involved, visit JICNY at www.JICNY.com.