Gil Shohat and Nelly Perry 

How does it feel to be listening to the magical music of Gil Shohat?  Wonderful, of course. Over 200 music-lovers gathered at the Sharon Hotel in Herzliya Pituach in a drawing-room atmosphere where Gil's repertoire included Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, and Liszt. A composer, conductor, and pianist, and the recipient of many prestigious prizes and accolades, Gil gave superb musical explanations about the pieces he played.

In his introduction, he told us that his grandmother, Regina Tennenbaum, a Holocaust survivor who had recently passed away, had told him that being hungry distorted one's personality. So when I first approached Gil years ago and asked him to do a benefit concert, the proceeds of which would go to a food charity, he very willingly agreed, and he has been sponsoring concerts for the Hand-in-Hand Food Pantry ever since.

During the evening he also renewed his promise to continue to give concerts for as long as there was still even one hungry child in Israel.  He gives these performances with love and admiration for the volunteers.

After the performance, Gil told me that he had sensed a great rapport with the audience and I, in turn, told him that the audience had certainly felt in harmony with the Maestro.  In addition to sponsoring his own performance, Gil very generously donated 40 autographed CDs to be sold at NIS 200 each.  We have already sold quite a few, and if anyone is interested in purchasing one, please get in touch with me on 054 687 1685

I would like to thank the owners of the Sharon Hotel who allowed us to host such a beautiful function in their hotel, and the banqueting manager who gave me so much help and encouragement.  My thanks also to: the Shipony Insurance Agency for sponsoring the hire of the piano; Lightvision for sponsoring the projectors; all those who donated raffle prizes; and to the committee of the Hand-in-Hand Food Pantry for their devotion and hard work.  A big thank you to all who were present and who helped to fill the ESRA coffers, which is especially hard in the present financial climate.

Last and by no means least, I want to thank you, Gil, from the bottom of my heart, for treating the audience to a wonderful musical experience and for giving it with such complete devotion to our cause.