Angels for Children
By Peggy Van Raalte.
Originally published in The South Shore Record, April 19, 2012 in “Seeing Stars”.
My darling nephew Danny is autistic. Recently he was able to attend a Music for Autism concert. He absolutely loved it. So when my sister Susan informed me of a Music for Autism concert to be held in Cedarhurst at the Jewish Community Center. I had to be there
Eileen Schneyman, executive director of Music for Autism, should be commended for the work she has been doing. Research has shown that children and adults with autism respond with passion when they hear concert music. And yes at the JCC of the Greater Five Towns they did. Peggy Reich on piano and Sean Schulich on flute brought music to the ears of many children with disabilities as well as the adults in the room. It is an interactive concert. Children not only listened but preformed, too. And how about that beautiful Mozart!
I especially enjoyed when the wonderful volunteers passed out pretzel sticks which served as batons. Everyone had fun using the batons. When the children used the percussion instruments they just had the best time. The JCC also gave each child a healthy snack which is so important to special children. Some of the members of the JCC were on hand to help out and smile throughout the concert. They included Stacey Feldman, Sheryl Wyszkowski, Gayle Fremed and Shavona Arbreit. It was also great to see Cathy Bryne and her daughter Ciara. I was also thrilled to see Cathy Miller Stein who grew up with my brother in law Elliott Hershman. Check out the Music for Autism website for more concerts in the future, https://www.musicforautism.org/.
