A committee of several members from The Jewish Foundation of Greater Prescott, came to my studio to review my art work. I was delighted to find that they were interested in honoring Itzhak Perlman with an award praising him as “Tikkun olam”.

As the men were discussing the award they had in mind, they supplied me with eight single lined, typed pages, explaining “Tikkun olam” . I learned that the term meant “repairing the world” or “perfecting the world”. Reading through the papers I recalled my first and only near encounter with Mr. Perlman.

Many years ago, already well acquainted with Itzhak Perlman’s work, I became his devoted fan when listening to him play live at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. In my opinion he has the most soul in his music of any violinist I have ever heard.

Experiencing this gifted musician in action my husband and I were in a delicious state of euphoria. On our way back to our car at the end of his concert, we chanced upon Mr. Perlman standing behind a sturdy folding table in the parking lot, opposite from him stood a long line of handicapped children, excited to meet him, shake his hand and collect his autograph. We paused watching the scene in admiration.

After performing a strenuous and brilliant concert he was again extending himself in the act of “Tikkun olan”. With this memory, I set about conceiving an award for Mr. Perlman. His charitable act still vivid in my memory, the symbol for life in Hebrew “Chai” (number eighteen) would be my strongest form of expression for Perlman’s life and using sterling silver would create the best reflection of his life’s light.

This award is my dedication to Itzhak Perlman.

Natalie Krol