The esteemed founder of Zion Orphanage, Rabbi A.Y. Blumenthal, pioneered a public speaking course to give the Zion boys an outlet for creative expression.

Carrying the ball forward today is our "Brilliant Music Program," which teaches Zion boys to sing and to play keyboards, guitar and drums. The boys receive one-on-one lessons and spend many hours practicing, culminating in special performances as Zion Band and Zion Choir.

Following weeks of practice and many days in a professional recording studio, our Zion Choir independently produce an entire CD. The music video for "Small Things" showcased their great talent, and was a wonderful way to build pride and confidence. One of the boys, who entered Zion Orphanage barely communicating, is now pursuing a career in music.

Throughout this process, Zion boys develop creativity, patience, perseverance, concentration, and motor skills – all vital tools for later in confronting life's challenges.

Whether writing lyrics or keeping a beat, music facilitates communication between the right and left sides of the brain, instilling higher comprehensive skills like abstract reasoning and pattern recognition.

Zion Band and Choir are team activities, where the boys learn to share responsibility and compromise to achieve their common goal.