Triumph Against All Odds: From The Sulamot Music Program To Radio City Music Hall, How Midgal Ohr Enabled Shani Levy to Achieve Her Dreams

Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman is the founder of Migdal Ohr who recognized Shani Levi’s musical talent

Atara Solow, executive director, and Shani Levy backstage at Radio City Music Hall

From a young girl with a violin to an acclaimed musician performing before an audience of 6,000 people at Radio City Music Hall, Shani Levy’s story is one of thousands of inspirational, life-changing stories of at-risk and orphaned youth growing up at Migdal Ohr.

Born in Israel in 2003, Shani began playing the violin at just three years old. Raised by a single mother, she was enrolled at Migdal Ohr for a chance at a great education and a bright future. Shani’s extraordinary musical talent was identified right away and nurtured in Migdal Ohr’s incredible Sulamot Music Program, run in partnership with the Israel Philharmonic. Like hundreds of other orphaned and at-risk youth that are enrolled in the program, Shani blossomed with positive encouragement, and advanced quickly with masterful instruction from her teachers at Migdal Ohr.

Shani’s abilities quickly caught the attention of Migdal Ohr founder Rabbi Grossman, who gave her countless opportunities to take the stage and showcase her talent. The Rav even found a donor to purchase a rare violin that Shani still plays today. Shani credits the encouragement and love she received from the teachers at Migdal Ohr with her ability to overcome incredible obstacles to become a world-class musician.

Today, Shani has earned prizes in international competitions and performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout Israel. She has performed internationally in Paris, London, New York, Toronto, and Montreal, and has participated in numerous chamber music ensembles and musical projects.

This August, Migdal Ohr collaborated with our partners at Bnei Akiva to shine a spotlight on the young musicians in our Sulamot Music Program. We secured an incredible opportunity for Shani to play at Radio City Music Hall at the sold-out historic concert of Ishay Ribo with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Seeing Shani on stage was a powerful full-circle moment that highlighted just how far a child can go after receiving the encouragement and tools to be successful.

Shani was treated like the true celebrity that she is and embraced warmly by the Migdal Ohr family of lay leaders and donors who came to see her after the show. Migdal Ohr supporters didn’t come as concert goers, but rather as proud family members celebrating the accomplishments of a child whose performance was proof of what they always believed to be possible.

Executive Director Atara Solow caught Shani after the show to ask a few candid questions:

Atara Solow: When did you first discover your connection to music?

Shani Levy: My mother is a violinist, and she introduced me to music when I was just three years old. I don’t remember life without music. The violin has been part of who I am for as long as I can remember.

Atara Solow: How did Rabbi Grossman and Migdal Ohr help you develop your talents?

Shani Levy: Rabbi Grossman has an incredible ability to see and care about each person. He really is like a father to everyone. He invited me to perform at Migdal Ohr events, giving me opportunities that built my confidence and encouraged me to keep going. More than anything, he and the teachers believed in me and helped me to believe in myself.

Atara Solow: What is the story behind your violin?

Shani Levy: Rabbi Grossman encouraged me to find the perfect instrument and after trying many violins, I fell in love with this beautiful extremely unique Gagliano violin handcrafted in 1838. The Rav found a donor and purchased it. It’s the same violin that I’m playing today and is a constant reminder of the journey and support that I have received from Migdal Ohr to get here.

Atara Solow: What did Migdal Ohr give you that changed the direction of your life?

Shani Levy: I would never have reached this point without Migdal Ohr. Knowing that someone believed in me gave me the confidence and self-esteem in ways that are difficult to put into words. My principal and teachers always reminded me to believe in myself and showered me with love, opening new doors and reminding me to look forward, no matter what happens. The principal always taught, “Derech eretz kadma laTorah,” that in order to acquire Torah, we have to work on our character and middos. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life and I think of it daily.

Atara Solow: Why is a program like Migdal Ohr’s Sulamot Music Program so important?

Shani Levy: Music develops memory, concentration, motor skills, discipline, and so much more. It teaches patience and perseverance. Today I also teach violin, and I see giving back as part of what I learned at Migdal Ohr. I want to help others discover the greatness they are capable of.

Atara Solow: What was it like to perform at Radio City Music Hall?

Shani Levy: It was incredibly emotional. Standing on that stage, I felt like I was looking back at everything I had overcome to get there. My mother and sister were there, and it was especially meaningful because it was my mother’s birthday. I was representing Migdal Ohr, the people who believed in me, and all the children who are still waiting for someone to believe in them.

Atara Solow: What’s next for you?

Shani Levy: As soon as I return to Israel, I’m starting a new position at Rafael Security Industries as an organizational consultant. I never imagined that’s what I’d be doing, but I’m excited to see where life takes me. I want to continue realizing my potential, doing things I believe in. Regardless of what I do, I want to be successful and pave the way for other children!

{Enable a New Generation of Young Musicians to Take the Stage

Shani’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we give a child the tools to thrive and make them feel seen and heard, and that somebody believes in them. We are deeply grateful to Jerry and Sandy Seligsohn for believing in that potential, and to the hundreds of donors who make the Sulamot Music Program possible in addition to the other life-changing programs they offer.

“Donors make this possible. They change lives.” For Shani, this is more than a thank-you. It is her story. Migdal Ohr gave her the opportunity to develop that extraordinary talent, believe in herself, and turn her passion for music into a source of parnassah, purpose, and opportunities she never dreamed possible. Today, she is using what she was given to inspire and teach others to discover their own potential.

There are thousands more at-risk and orphaned children waiting for someone to believe in them. With your support, we can rescue the next Shani and give her life newfound purpose.

Founded by Rabbi Grossman over 50 years ago, Migdal Ohr is dedicated to transforming the lives of Israel’s most vulnerable children and youth. Through a network of educational, residential, and social programs, Migdal Ohr serves more than 10,000 children annually, helping them overcome adversity, discover their potential, and build a brighter future for themselves and for Israel. To learn more, visit migdalohrusa.org or reach out to [email protected] to see how you can get involved. n