PHOTOS: Real estate players suit up for Rabin Medical Gala

The annual event is a magnet for the industry's execs

The worlds of real estate and philanthropy became one Tuesday night at Cipriani for the annual gala of the American Friends of the Rabin Medical Center, a hospital in Petah Tivka, Israel.

Collier’s International’s Yoron Cohen, who is the president of the charity, and CBRE’s Stephen Siegel, a former president, were spotted making the rounds early on. Also in attendance: Collier’s International’s Richard Baxter, Cushman and Wakefield’s Adam Spies and Joanne Podell, Stonehenge Properties’ Ofer Yardeni, developer Michael Shvo and CBRE’s Mary Ann Tighe, who introduced the event’s honorees, Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan and RXR Realty CEO Scott Rechler.

Dolan accepted an award for “outstanding religious leadership,” and Rechler was honored for “exemplary civic and corporate responsibility.”

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

CBS News’ Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson took the podium as the event’s emcee, twice making imprecise references to what Rechler ought to do with “his future.” Rechler’s acceptance speech gave some indication of what she may have been talking about—it was plainly political in nature. The RXR chairman touched upon everything from geopolitical uncertainty stoked by President Trump’s tweets and gun control, to wealth inequality and how automation will change the economy.

Meanwhile, the titans of industry milled about when appropriate, and it was clear that business is what brought some attendance. “Do you know what this event is for?” one commercial broker asked a reporter. Dinner was followed by performances from the hit Broadway production “Hamilton,” featuring actors Sydney James Harcourt and Carleigh Bettiol.

(All photos by Patrick McMullen)