Holon Concert
We returned the day before Hanukkah to the Golden Era elderly home that houses many holocaust survivors. Many of the staff and volunteers wheeled in the survivors to come see our concert. The room was empty when we first arrived, and within 15 minutes, was filled with elderly men and women who desperately needed love and joy in their lives. Their time left here on earth is short. Many of them have suffered horrors beyond what we can imagine, and it is up to us in this precious time we have to show them love, joy, and peace beyond what they have experienced before. Michelle and Grace bring a concert that brings back good memories of their childhood, memories of what they have overcome, and songs of hope for the future beyond what they can see. However, as Grace and Michelle sing, the girls remind them of themselves when they were young and they can begin to imagine a brighter future by the love the younger generation seeks to share with the world.
Liora stood before her large family and gave a warm welcome to Grace and Michelle. As the girls began to sing, the room began to change.
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All the problems and noise disappeared as the holocaust survivors little by little came alive through the music as they recognized "Jerusalem of Gold" and remembered the Yiddish lullaby sung to them when they were children. Michelle and Grace sang the song "Katonti" and reached out to the survivors, holding their hands, looking into their eyes, and singing to their hearts. One man came alive as Michelle touched his hand. He shot up with so much joy and enthusiasm that lit up the entire room. He was so excited beyond what words can describe!
It was as if time stopped. The holocaust survivors forgot the past. They could look forward with joy, mesmerized by two young ladies who came from America to sing for them.
The two women in the front pictured above sat engaged through the entire concert, singing along, and clapping to the songs.
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The woman pictured above from France sang along to all the songs she knew and loved. She came up to the girls at the end of the concert with so much gratitude for the music they shared. We could see how it transformed her heart from the beginning to the end.
Many of the holocaust survivors are unable to stand. Michelle noticed that one man sitting to her left walked himself to his chair. Knowing he could stand, she reached out to him during the song "Hava Nagila" to dance. He was overjoyed!
We thank Ayala, pictured in the middle, for introducing us to Liora and making this special connection for us to bring concerts to these precious holocaust survivors.
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