Rachelle Goldberg has been volunteering at Shaare zedek for a number of years, playing her Violin and bringing joy to our patients, their family and staff members. After her recent trip to Israel from the UK we asked her why she got involved.
“My parents Sidney and Sylvia Goldberg z’l and myself contributed to Shaare Zekek for many years. When my mother passed away in 2009 my father and myself contributed to the Memorial programme in her memory I then visited the Hospital and was given a tour by Marla Haruni who at the time was the Head of Public Relations.
Subsequent to this when my father passed away in 2011 I also contributed to the Memorial Programme in his memory. I then decided that it would be a good opportunity to play the violin at the Hospital as I had also played at a Hospital in Houston, Texas under the Music and Medicine programme. Marla thought that this was terrific idea which had not previously been done and the first time this was so successful that I have done this every year when I visit.
I recently visited in December 2016 and had a very enjoyable time playing and meeting some of the patients and their relatives. It was a lovely time to be there because of Chanukah.
Music is a wonderful therapy and lifts the spirits of the patients and relatives alike. It can transform a person to have positive feelings and inspire them. I am very grateful to Audrey Gross who has taken over from Marla for the opportunity to visit and play for the patients at Shaare Zedek.”