A Night of Pure Joy

February 2016 ESRA News ESRA Events Art | Culture

Encore ... Dudu, Colin and conductor/pianist Tomer Adaddi take a well-deserved bow

ESRA's annual major fundraiser took place on January 3. It proved to be one of ESRA's most successful events both from a fundraising point of view as well as being an evening of outstanding entertainment. The Herzliya Performing Art Center was filled to capacity with some 800 attendees with 50 plus disappointed others on the waiting list for tickets! All proceeds are going to support our wonderful projects based on creating a better tomorrow for those youngsters who need our help most of all.

It was impossible not to be moved by the words of Tzlil Maimon, a student who is part of ESRA's flagship project "Students Build a Community", as she shared her moving personal story with us (please read it on page?).

The combination of Dudu Fisher, Colin Schachat and the Raanana Symphonetta Orchestra, under the baton of dynamic conductor/pianist Tomer Addadi, proved to be a recipe for an evening of pure delight. Dudu Fisher opened the show. His ability to move with ease from the liturgical music of our prayers, as well as songs in Yiddish, to the music from Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera left his audience spellbound.

The audience in the Herzliya Performing Arts Center take their seats

Colin Schachat's beautiful baritone voice embraced a range of songs from an Irish Ballad – that he dedicated to Richard Stein (past chair of ESRA who was responsible for bringing this amazing show to ESRA) – to Frank Sinatra favorites. Both singers came together to conclude with a musical crescendo that totally captivated the audience.

What could be better than experiencing the sheer joy of magnificent voices together with the realization that the funds raised will make a difference to those youngsters benefiting from ESRA's projects.

ESRA's deep appreciation goes to the event's sponsors and all who contributed towards a night to remember.

Marcelle & Eric Cohen
Rena & Richard Stein
Davis Family Charitable Foundation
Ruth & Harvey Cohen
Bank Igud
Adele & Michael Hunter
Shirley & Larry Lowenthal

In perfect harmony ... Dudu and Colin perform a duet

About the author

Brenda Katten

Brenda Katten was born and educated in London, UK. She was a member of Bnei Akiva and the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY). Professionally she worked as a Relationship and Educational Counselor in the remedial and education fields having obtained qualification from the British Association of Counselors. She and her architect husband, John, came to live in Israel in 1998. Brenda is a past chairperson in England of: British WIZO (and is currently Honorary President); the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland; Bnai Brith Hillel Foundation. She was chairperson of the Governors one of the largest Jewish Day Schools in London. In Israel she is currently Chairperson of ESRA – English Speaking Residents Association; Co- Chairperson of Europeans for Israel. Her past voluntary positions in Israel include: Chairperson of Israel, Britain and the Commonwealth Association; Chairperson of World WIZO Public Affairs and NGO Department. Chairperson of World WIZO Public Relations Department and Editor of the newsletter, The Fuller Picture and Executive Member of the International Council of Women (ICW). Brenda has been a delegate for Israel at the international conferences of the United Nations’ Annual Commission on the Status of Women in New York; United Nations Conference against Racism in Durban (2001); Women Defending Peace in Geneva (2004). Brenda has three children and eight grandchildren.

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