Five colorful harps especially made for children were donated recently to the Education Center at Schneider Children’s Medical Center by the “Hugs for Israel” association. Heretofore, a harpist played for hospitalized children; now, children will be able
to participate more actively in the hospital’s Music Therapy program by playing the instrument themselves.

“Hugs for Israel”, headed by Brenda Giles, aims to donate games and enjoyable activities to hospitalized children in Israel. A year ago, the charitable association contributed a puppet theater which is used by the medical staff for the benefit of the children.

The Education Center at Schneider Children’s operates under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry and comprises more that 20 special education teachers and therapists.

The Center oversees the Music Therapy program directing therapists to work in the various wards and offer hospitalized children a selection of musical activities on an individual and group basis. A range of musical instruments were chosen specifically to meet the special needs of children and allow a range of possibilities for playing creatively to promote a calm atmosphere, a sense of control and enjoyment and strengthening of the child’s self-image.

According to Maskit Shochat, Director of the Educational Center at Schneider Children’s: “The Music Therapy program is very significant for hospitalized children because music is calming, invites curiosity and allows children to concentrate on their healthy side while they are ill in hospital. We deeply appreciate the contribution of harps from Hugs for Israel which will allow continued development of this important project”.