Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) today applauded the decision made by the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to grant Victor Goldberg a student visa that will allow him to study at the Manhattan School of Music. Goldberg, who is a 25-year-old piano prodigy from Israel, saw his plans to attend the school put on hold when the American Embassy denied him a student visa. Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Goldberg will be able to fill the spot waiting for him at the Manhattan School of Music.

Nadler, who spoke to the American Ambassador to Israel on behalf of Goldberg, stated, "This was welcome news to those of us who felt that the bureaucratic decision to deny a student visa to Victor Goldberg was not only unfair, but set a precedent for all other Israeli students who want to study in the United States. It made absolutely no sense to deny a visa to a student who previously studied in the United States and has strong family ties in Israel. The reversal of this decision is not only a victory for Victor Goldberg, but for U.S.-Israeli relations."

Goldberg is a resident of Netanya and moved to Israel with his family from the Ukraine at the age of 13. After completing his master's degree at the Juilliard School, Goldberg was one of only two applicants who received a full scholarship in the Artist Diploma program at the Manhattan School of Music. After interviewing with a consular official on August 25, Goldberg found that his student visa was denied and that he would be unable to begin his studies with the famed piano instructor Solomon Mikovsky. Goldberg was told that the reason his student visa was denied was because he had "not shown sufficiently strong family, social or economic ties to [his] place of residence to ensure that [his] visit to the United States would be temporary."

Shortly after Nadler's discussion with the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, it was discovered that Goldberg's visa was granted and that he would be able to begin his studies at the Manhattan School of Music.

"I wish Victor much success and look forward to seeing how his talents unfold in New York City," said Nadler.