Celebrating Jewish Icons: Itzhak Perlman

 

Itzhak Perlman was only three years old when he knew what he wanted to be. Hearing the violin from the radio in his Tel Aviv home, asked his parents for the instrument, enchanted with its sound.

For many children, this might have been a passing fancy,  a flash in the pan before moving on to other instruments and hobbies. But for Itzhak, the violin is what sustained him. Only a year later, young Itzhak was diagnosed with polio. The disease would claim his ability to walk without crutches. In many ways, it would claim his childhood. But, it would never claim his passion or determination.

Enrolled in the Music Acadamy of Tel Aviv, Itzhak quickly distinguished himself with an almost preternatural aptitude towards the violin. His crisp, full-body, emotive style of play would carry him through his studies, to public concerts, and only at the tender age of 13, across the ocean to the Ed Sullivan show to play in front of an audience of millions. 

Since then, the musician has led a rich life of excitement, generosity, and teaching. Always active, Perlman has enjoyed a career any musician would be lucky to have, releasing several successful albums, performing in high-profile pieces such as John Williams' score for Schindler's List, and even playing opposite the Muppets of Sesame Street. 

Itzhak would meet his match in Toby Friedlander, herself a gifted musician. The pair would collaborate both in music and in life, marrying and eventually raising five children together.

Outside of regular performance work, Perlman would go on to teach at the prestigious Julliard School of Music. A feather in any musicians cap to be sure, but not the educating experience he would be most proud of. Committed to nurturing the gift of music to people of all walks of life and all levels of skill and experience, Itzhak still holds frequent musical Q&As that are open to the public, sharing his knowledge freely and openly in his own humble way.

The Perlamn Music Program would become the ultimate expression of Itzhak and Toby's shared values. Born out of a desire to nurture musically gifted youth outside of the infamously competitive and high-pressure environment of the most exclusive music school, the goal of the Perlman Music Program is to "learn to play without being tortured.” 

Welcoming students to examine, study, and celebrate the joy of music, their program hopes to do more than merely shaped talented musicians, they want to shape full and rounded people as well. Making time for arts and crafts, swimming trips, and even universally assigned chores, the idea is to give the next generation of musical prodigies as much experience and perspective to draw on as possible, instead of constantly drilling them with practice. 

Itzhak's talent and achievements have been recognized again and again, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, but nothing stands as a greater testimony to his strength, generous spirit, and love of life than his family and school. Itzhak Perlman is an inspiration of not letting misfortune define who you are and what you do.