Managing Partner Michael Wildes is honored to announce that Wildes & Weinberg is privileged to represent Mr. Alon Ohel in his U.S. immigration matters.
Alon Ohel is a gifted Israeli pianist whose life and art have become symbols of resilience and hope. A promising young musician from a young age, Alon was attending the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas abducted him, holding him hostage in Gaza for 738 days. During captivity, he endured severe injuries, starvation, sexual harassment, and medical procedures performed without anesthesia, yet he held onto music as a source of strength and solace.
Throughout his ordeal, the Israeli community rallied in support, placing yellow pianos in public spaces with the message “Alon, You Are Not Alone,” reminding the world of the enduring power of art and solidarity. Since his release on October 13, 2025, Alon has returned to performing publicly, sharing piano performances that capture both his musical talent and the emotional depth of his journey.
In addition to his artistry, Mr. Ohel has emerged as a compelling speaker and advocate, raising awareness about the plight of Israeli hostages and engaging with global leaders to share his story. He speaks passionately about resilience, human rights, and the transformative role of music in healing, positioning himself as a unique voice at the intersection of art, advocacy, and humanitarian awareness.
Wildes & Weinberg is deeply proud to stand with Mr. Ohel, whose courage, artistry, and dedication to advocacy exemplify the firm’s values of integrity, justice, and commitment. The firm is honored to support him as he continues to inspire others through his music, his voice, and his unwavering commitment to human rights.
Wildes & Weinberg was founded in 1960 by Senior Partner, Leon Wildes. He was best known for his successful representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono as they fought the Nixon Administration during a five year bitterly contested Deportation Proceeding.
Nearly three quarters of a century later, the firm continues to concentrate its practice in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law, servicing the immigration requirements of prominent American and International firms, banks, industrial, financial, and manufacturing concerns, as well as law firms in connection with the personnel needs of their foreign national employees.
In addition, the firm has a distinguished clientele and has done substantial immigration work for performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, fine artists, art dealers, curators, and literary agents. Most notable was Leon Wildes’ successful representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his artist wife, Yoko Ono in their deportation proceedings, the basis of which has inspired legislation, and has been portrayed in films, plays, and literary works worldwide. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include scholar Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (z”l), as well as soccer icon Pele and Karim Benzema, Master Chef Jean-Georges, musicians Sinead O’ Connor and Boy George, as well as First Lady Melania Trump and her family.
Michael Wildes, the firm’s Managing Partner, is also currently serving his fifth term as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, is the author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door (which draws on over a quarter of a century of his practice in the immigration field), is an Adjunct Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, and serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center and several international/corporate law firms.
Despite difficulties currently being encountered in dealing with U.S. immigration authorities, the firm has maintained an extraordinary track record for success in its cases. The firm’s litigation group has expanded its efforts in filing Mandamus Actions and other Actions in Federal Courts throughout the nation.
In addition, Wildes & Weinberg’s multilingual staff is spread throughout its offices in New York City, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and by appointment only in Los Angeles, California and Tel Aviv, Israel, and are known for their experience and special expertise in processing each foreign national’s case with nothing less than the highest level of professionalism.
For more information on our firm please visit www.wildeslaw.com or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.