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Laurie, an accomplished Mezzo-Soprano, planned and executed this concert event.  She first came into contact with us when she was traveling to Israel.  The airline wanted her to put a muzzle on her guide dog, but Noach Braun intervened and helped convince the airline that it was not necessary.  Laurie along with her mother Lilly visited the center and was very impressed by what we have been able to accomplish with limited resources.  Laurie decided to put on a benefit concert - for the sole benefit of the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind.

Laurie invited several outstanding performers - all of whom readily agreed and donated their services as well.  Noam Sivan, an Israeli born composer and pianist performed several original works.  Clarinetist Jennifer Taira captivated the audience with her outstanding range.  David Wilkinson, a leading vocal coach and accompanist contributed to the second half of the program, and Kate Reinders, who played Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, sang "For Good" as a duet with Laurie.

At the beginning of the concert, Laurie invited our founder, Noach Braun along with one of our graduates, Lt. Col. Moti Levy and his guide dog Sammy to make a presentation about the needs of visually impaired Israelis.  Moti gave an impassioned view of our work from the perspective of a guide dog user who had to travel to America to get a dog before our center was built.

Without a doubt, the most emotional part of the evening was when Laurie sang "You raise me up" to her guide dog Mark, on stage for the final time.  Mark retired after this performance, and Laurie will be getting a new guide dog from a school near her home in New York.

Special thanks to Laurie Rubin, and her mother Lilly Rubin for all of the effort they put into this event to make it a resounding success.

Ms. Rubin's memoir "Do you dream in color? Insights from a girl without sight" is schedule for publication early 2011. 

You can learn more about Laurie Rubin at her website: http://www.laurie-rubin.com

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