How does it feel to be in the audience listening to music being played by Gil Shohat? The answer is obvious. It is an enchanting experience. This multi-talented musician agreed to sponsor his time and talent for the benefit of Esra’s hand in hand food pantry and the music-loving audience of around 190 people were thrilled to hear romantic pieces by, amongst others, Schubert, Liszt and Debussy, and several encores. He won over the hearts of his audience when he recounted the story of his grandmother, who had arrived from Poland after the war and had told him that the worst feeling in the world was to be hungry and while there was one hungry child in Israel, Gil said, he was willing to perform for Esra’s food pantry project.

The venue was the Sharon Hotel in Herzliya Pituach, and the owners, Sir Bernard and Lady Schreier, once again sponsored the venue and the beautifully laid out buffet with wine for the benefit of the charity.

The whole evening was a wonderful treat and many of the people in the audience had returned to the charming venue and the talented Gil Shohat after the success of last year’s similar event.

Rika Meyerowitz was master of ceremonies for the evening.

I am very grateful to Gil who has a very busy schedule which includes giving 100 concerts a year, teaching music and composing. Thank you very much indeed to the Schreiers for their sponsorships and continued support of the hand in hand food pantry, particularly in view of today’s financial climate in which it is getting harder and harder to raise money for any charity.

Raffle prizes were donated by the Sharon hotel, by Gil Shohat and Globus Max cinemas at the Alexandra Center.