The unique King David’s Harp has been dedicated to the memory of Julia-Yenike Rogatchi during a special ceremony at the Jewish Children’s Museum in New York.
At the ceremony, Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, the Executive Director of the Jewish Children’s Museum, spoke of the Museum’s decision to dedicate a very special exhibit to the memory of Julia-Yenike who had been a talented young artist and who was devoted to providing people with help and kindness. In his memorable speech, Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson also mentioned how much Julia-Yenike loved Israel and her people, and how tragically and abruptly her life ended, due to the severe illness which she had contracted as a direct consequence of the Chernobylcatastrophe. Rabbi Yerachmiel told to those attending the special ceremony that the Museum which is built and created for children of all ages and walks of life is a very proper place for dedicating one of its most visible exhibits to that special girl whose legacy now will be preserved and will live on and on. “Now it – the dedication of the King David’s Harp to Julia-Yenike’s memory – will be here for ever” – said Rabbi Yerachmiel, the man who was personally appointed by Rebbe Menachem Meer Schneerson to be responsible for the education of both Jewish and non-Jewish children world-wide 30 years ago.
In her address to the attendees of the ceremony, Inna Rogatchi profoundly thanked the Museum for their very gracious decision to provide such a brilliant opportunity for Julia-Yenike’s legacy. She also pointed out that there is no better choice for the dedication of an exhibit to the memory of their daughter as this gentle, fine, very unusual, highly potential and interesting Harp (one can play numerous melodies, including one’s own compositions, on its fine and beautiful electronic strings which appear as if from nowhere and are glimpsed gently in the air). “This incredible Harp is very special, very fine, very unusual, unassuming and deeply poetic, – as our daughter was,” she said. Michael Rogatchi added that “there cannot be more honour for a Jewish soul than its connection with King David. And in this very case, the connection goes via King David’s Harp, the most recognisable symbol of his – and our people’s – complete devotion to music as the highest form of the expressing of the Jewish soul; and our daughter had had her inseparable and essential connection with music all her life, since the very young age.”
The dedication ceremony was attended by special guests of honour, Maestro Evgeny Kissin and his mother Emilia Kissin. The close friends and family members of the Rogatchi family and the senior directors of the JCM were present as well.
Inna Rogatchi addressed the guests of the ceremony with words of gratitude to Maestro Kissin: “It is very special and important for both of us that dear Evgeny and his mother are with us today, at this very special moment. Evgeny’s art and his music, his very person were very special for our daughetr, for all three of us together. We always were attending his concerts together, and she did love you, dear Zhenya, and your great talent, your unparalleled music very, very much, with all her heart. Your cordial participation in this dedication ceremony is an extremely meaningful episode in our lives, and in the history of our entire family.” Maestro Kissin cordially reciprocated Inna’s speech.