When Philip Goldberg was introduced to Kisharon more than 40 years ago, he resolved not to get drawn in, but despite his initial reluctance, has become truly immersed. Chairing the Trustee Board is a huge honour, he says.
Philip was invited to meet Chava Lehman who had set up a school for children with learning disabilities and needed support. Philip takes up the story: “I told Stephen Greenman, who had invited me, that I wasn’t coming because I wanted to devote my energies to Menorah Foundation, where my oldest children – twins, Yossi and Benny, now 34, were pupils.
“Stephen agreed wholeheartedly and told me he wasn’t getting involved either because he too was commited to his children’s school. But he urged me to come as it would be disrespectful for Chava to speak to an empty room.”
Philip duly attended and was spellbound. “Chava is a very inspirational woman and after listening for 30 minutes everyone signed up. Stephen went on to become the first chairman of Kisharon’s trustees.”
It was tough at the start: “The payroll was done by hand. We wrote down the name of every member of staff, their pay and then had to borrow or beg for the money they were owed. We were completely skint.”
Philip said: “Chava Lehman’s love for her students and her determination for them to succeed is shared by Kisharon’s staff today, and this is the key to the success of our wonderful organisation.”
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