Puff, the Magic Dragon visits Jerusalem

Peter Yarrow, member of legendary trio Peter, Paul & Mary, pays a visit to Association for Mentally and Physically Challenged children, performs song with Shalva band

Reuters | Published: 04.04.09, 09:36

"I've performed for the Queen of England and in Washington, when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his famous 'I have a dream' speech, but never before with more heartfelt, loving, gifted, beautiful musicians than this group right here", said Peter Yarrow, of the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary 60's folk trio.

Yarrow came to Israel as a guest of the American Embassy to promote "Operation Respect". During his visit, he came to play with the children of Shalva, The Association for Mentally and Physically Challenged children in Israel, which works with over 500 children and infants. Yarrow joined the Shalva band as they played Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" in his honor.

Afterwards, Yarrow played one of Peter, Paul and Mary's famous songs, "Puff, the Magic Dragon." The song, which was released in 1963, reached No.2 on the billboard charts and has been performed by such diverse artists as Dolly Parton and Seale.

With the help of Shalva founder and director, Rabbi Kalman Samuels, who provided a simultaneous Hebrew translation, Yarrow wove the tale of Puff and his good friend , Jackie Paper to the delight of the children (and, of course, their parents).