At 11:30 p.m. on June 20, a 14-foot-wide huppah was lowered beneath the 75-foot stained-glass dome of Weylin, a historic former bank turned event space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Underneath, Ron Zofnat and Trevor Harold Jacobson exchanged vows before a 230-guest celebration that spanned several days and honored both their union and resilience amid illness.
The couple’s relationship took a profound turn shortly after they began dating in December 2022. Zofnat, 41, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in March 2023, just over three months into their relationship. While on a work trip in Santiago, Chile, Zofnat sought emergency care for severe abdominal pain, leading to the discovery of a perforated tumor in his colon. He was soon hospitalized at NYU Langone Health in New York, where he underwent multiple surgeries and began ongoing chemotherapy treatment, including a session two days after the wedding.
Jacobson, 44, who works independently in advertising and brand partnerships, stepped swiftly into the role of caregiver and supporter, visiting Zofnat daily during his hospital stay. The couple described the illness as a crucible that deepened their connection, forcing them to confront challenges and build trust early in their relationship.
Their journey together began through the dating app Hinge, where they connected over shared interests and quickly bonded during a first date at Kyu restaurant in Manhattan’s NoHo. By Valentine’s Day 2023, Zofnat formally asked Jacobson to be his boyfriend, laying the foundation for a partnership that would soon face extraordinary circumstances. Both men have professional backgrounds in business and marketing; Zofnat holds degrees in mechanical engineering, economics, and an MBA from Northwestern University, while Jacobson studied advertising and marketing communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Following the diagnosis, the couple settled into a “dual track” lifestyle, balancing treatment with moments of normalcy at home with their two dogs. They fostered honesty and communication early on, avoiding typical relationship uncertainties amid the gravity of Zofnat’s health. When possible, they traveled together to destinations such as the Hamptons, Antigua’s Jumby Bay Island, and Cabo San Lucas.
Their wedding festivities were designed as a multi-day celebration and tribute to New York City. On June 17, the couple married legally at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau, surrounded by immediate family. Over the next several days, they hosted events including a welcome party at Aman New York’s Jazz Club and a Shabbat dinner with a ketubah signing at Central Park Boathouse — where guests were ferried by boat and serenaded by musicians.
The main ceremony at Weylin combined traditional elements, including a star-studded guest list and a 28-piece orchestra, with personal touches like a custom T & R logo and appearances by performers who are close friends of the couple. The reception featured multiple cocktail hours, fine dining selections such as Peter Luger burgers and Dover sole, and an extended dance party that lasted until the early morning hours.
The wedding was not only a celebration of marriage but also a testament to survival and community. “More than anything, we had an overwhelming feeling of community,” Zofnat reflected. “The wedding became a celebration not only of our marriage, but of survival.” The couple’s experience highlights the ways personal relationships can grow through adversity, embodying resilience alongside love.