ESRA recently held an unprecedented magical summer evening recital, with the world-renowned husband-wife duo, violinist Vadim Gluzman and pianist Angela Yoffe, at the Mishkan Arts and Music Center in Raanana. Following a champagne reception, Richard Stein, our Fundraising Committee Chair, opened the evening with greetings, and explained the "ESRA Connection" to this couple. Our own Danny Bloch, highly respected Kol Yisrael classical music critic, gave an informative and enthusiastic introduction of the performers.  
Shortly after his arrival in Israel in 1990, Vadim was helped by the late Isaac Stern, who also encouraged him to play chamber music. Vadim quickly formed a piano quintet; within a few short months of hard work, endless practice sessions€ and sheer determination, they took first prize at a competition at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music. Vadim, together with the quintet was chosen to appear at a special televised evening for Russian immigrant artists hosted by the late President Herzog at Beit Hanassi. The president learned of their wish to participate in an international competition in Florence, Italy and arranged money to cover their flight tickets. I then turned to Merle Guttmann, ESRA’s President, with a request to help them with funds for living expenses during the week of the competition, which she granted. I must emphasize that this request for a supplement was made only after they earned part of the money by playing at a home concert which we hosted.
Vadim and Angela today appear on stages around the world and are highly acclaimed by critics. They kindly agreed to appear gratis for a fundraising evening for ESRA. They played a beautiful and varied program including the favorite Sonata for Violin and Piano by Caesar Franck, works by the first French violin virtuoso, Jean-Marie LeClair, and by two great Jewish composers, Ernest Bloch and Mario Castenuovo-Tedesco. Their mesmerizing performance took us through a wide range of human emotions and a palette of colors. Their sensitive rapport with each other as well as with their warm, receptive and appreciative spellbound audience left us with an evening of memories that will remain.

"The last movement of the Caesar Franck Sonata played with such power and passion, nearly had me in tears." Marilyn Magen
"Vadim and Angela gave such a brilliant recital, I enjoyed it hugely."

“The Gluzman evening was a huge success for ESRA, and I hope not the end of the relationship with this wonderful couple". Jane Krivine

Special thanks to all members of the fundraising committee for making this event happen.
Miki (my husband) and I feel we have been enriched by Vadim and Angela’s music, and feel privileged to have witnessed the marvelous development of their soaring careers. We are also proud that they present themselves as Israelis wherever they appear. 
 Their performance will help this wonderful, creative and humane organization ESRA through the many varied and special educational and social projects it runs.
BRAVO!