2009-12-14 : “Romanian Clowns ”

Dec 14, 2009

Romanian Clowns


We have written often about Dr. Neal Goldberg and his troupe of professionally-trained medical clowns, Lev Leytzan-Compassionate Clown Alley. This group of young adults has delivered their special clowning talents to many places here in the States, in Europe and in Israel, bringing smiles and a little bit of happiness to lonely, ill or disabled people wherever they travel.

This past October we shared the story of the group's trip to Eastern Europe and the impact their visits had on many elderly and isolated Shoah survivors. They were so welcome, in fact, that a new invitation to return was on the table if they could get the funding to make it possible. At the time we offered to match up to $1000 of any support they could attract to make the trip possible, and before long Neal reported that he had successfully raised even more than our original $1000 challenge.

Well - the clowns departed last week and an email I received from the group this morning confirms that the trip is having the impact they hoped it would have on both the clowns who are traveling with Neal and on the people, both young and old, who are enjoying their antics. In addition to their performance at the local Café Europa (a social club for Survivors) and a nursing home (for survivors) the group:

...spent the morning at nursing home, an institution with adults with dementia and a senior facility. The boys worked hard - room visits, impromptu shows. The afternoon and evening has been spent working with institutionalized kids..., a shelter for abandoned and abused kids and children's hospitals ... what an incredible day!

We are so happy to have helped make this trip possible. Neal's group has proven over and over the many benefits of medical clowning.