MEET THE VISIONARY
Rachael Goldwasser Plutzik
Co-Founder, ZARA'S CENTER
Founding Co-Chair, Zara's Ambassador Program
Rachael Goldwasser Plutzik (2007)
On a visit to Zimbabwe when she was only 12, Rachael saw the suffering of children whose families were impacted by AIDS. Like many in similar circumstances, she felt compelled to do something to relieve their struggle. With the encouragement of family and friends, Rachael spearheaded an effort to raise the funds to make it happen. In the fall of 2007, things fell into place when Rachael joined her mother Lesley, on an extended semester long trip back to her mother's childhood home in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Taking a leave of absence from Riverdale Country, she attended school full-time in Zimbabwe, and was present when the Center opened its doors in 2007.
In summer 2010, Rachael and her brother, Zachary Hyam Plutzik, will begin working on Zara's Ambassadors Program (ZAP) to ensure long term viability for ZARA'S CENTER among next gen donors. ZAP will spread the word about the importance of 'giving back' among peers and emerging professionals, through creation of a giving circle -- that will hold periodic meetings at the PG Family Foundation in NYC, and at The Betsy - South Beach, a philanthropically-minded hotel in Miami Beach.
In summer 2010, Rachael and her brother, Zachary Hyam Plutzik, will begin working on Zara's Ambassadors Program (ZAP) to ensure long term viability for ZARA'S CENTER among next gen donors. ZAP will spread the word about the importance of 'giving back' among peers and emerging professionals, through creation of a giving circle -- that will hold periodic meetings at the PG Family Foundation in NYC, and at The Betsy - South Beach, a philanthropically-minded hotel in Miami Beach.
REMARKS MADE BY RACHAEL GOLDWASSER PLUTZIK
AT 'CELEBRATING ZIMBABWE', THE PREMIERE CONCERT Of THE LIYANA 2009 USA TOUR, COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF LAUNCHING ZARA'S CENTER AND WELCOMING LIYANA TO NYC!
Rachael Goldwasser Plutzik, celebrating ZARA'S and introducing LIYANA! (2009)
In the fall of 2007 I joined my mother on an extended trip back to her home in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I attended school full-time there for three months and spent my afternoon working at ZARA’S CENTER, a program I had started with my family to address the needs of aids-impacted orphans. Tragically, things in Zimbabwe have continued to deteriorate substantially, even since our trip last year. Unemployment is more than 80%. There is little or no food. Life expectancy has become the lowest in the world with both men and women expected to live only until their mid-30’s. Inflation is considered to be the highest in the history of the modern world as well. In fact I believe the government recently issued a trillion dollar note. There is hardly any good news, but we can’t stop trying to make things better, for ourselves and for others who may be suffering. With NGO’s recently forced to close, we are helping Zara’s children wherever and whenever we can, including holding programs on the street for as many kids as our staff can handle. While it’s a struggle to run an outreach program in these tough economic times, it makes me proud to know that we are making an effort to improve the lives of children Zimbabwe, who without our program might have nowhere else to turn.
During the semester in Zimbabwe, my parents and I were invited to visit a beautifully run school for the disabled in Bulawayo called King George VI or KG6. During that visit, despite Zimbabwe’s vast challenges, we were transported to a place of great hope. We heard and saw Liyana play for the first time. On that first day we met the band, in what for us was a highly emotional moment, my mother asked them if there was something we could do to help them pursue their musical interests. I guess we thought the answer might be a new set of drums or a new keyboard. The answer was instead, “we want to come play in America”.
We are grateful for all of those who joined with us to help make this happen and for all of you who have come to share our joy. There are great challenges in Zimbabwe, in the middle-east, and around the world. Seeing all of you gathered here tonight to Celebrate Zimbabwe and enjoy Liyana’s music gives us all great hope for the future.
During the semester in Zimbabwe, my parents and I were invited to visit a beautifully run school for the disabled in Bulawayo called King George VI or KG6. During that visit, despite Zimbabwe’s vast challenges, we were transported to a place of great hope. We heard and saw Liyana play for the first time. On that first day we met the band, in what for us was a highly emotional moment, my mother asked them if there was something we could do to help them pursue their musical interests. I guess we thought the answer might be a new set of drums or a new keyboard. The answer was instead, “we want to come play in America”.
We are grateful for all of those who joined with us to help make this happen and for all of you who have come to share our joy. There are great challenges in Zimbabwe, in the middle-east, and around the world. Seeing all of you gathered here tonight to Celebrate Zimbabwe and enjoy Liyana’s music gives us all great hope for the future.
PHOTOS FROM 'CELEBRATING ZIMBABWE'
THE OPENING CONCERT IN THE NORTHEAST LEG OF THE LIYANA 2009 USA TOUR
AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL, INTERGENERATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE AT CONGREGATION RODEPH SHOLOM, JANUARY 27, 2009, NYC
Sting and Trudie at Liyana's Celebrate Zimbabwe Concert at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, January 2009
The LIYANA 2009 USA Tour was co-produced by the PG Family Foundation, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, and The Betsy-South Beach, with major support from Jonathan Plutzik and Lesley Goldwasser, Linda Mirels, the The Sager Family Foundation and Traveling Roadshow, the MCJ/Amelior Foundation, the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust, the National Association of Music Merchants, and Apple Corporation, among many others. Liyana performed in 30 venues in 33 days, including Disneyland, MacWorld and Standford on the West Coast. Liyana kicked off its Northeast Tour at Congregation Rodeph Sholom with a special appearance by international superstar, David Broza, and also performed at Columbia University, Rutgers Newark, Coumbia Univeristy, and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. For sponsorship information, a list of venues, and links to media coverage, visit www.liyanatour.com, where you can read an article by Rachael prepared for peers about the importance of 'giving back'.
Superstar David Broza with Liyana Lead Singer, Prudence Mahbena at Rodeph Sholom. January, 2009
Lafayette Gospel Choir (Brooklyn NY) Directed by Janis Weatherly at Rodeph Sholom, January, 2009
CRS Children's Choir singing Yi''Hiye Tov with David Broza, January 2009
Rabbi Robert Levine, Senior Rabbi, CRS, Introduces Rachael Plutzik, January 2009
