Jerusalem, Israel - Sept. 13, 2016 - President Reuven Rivlin & Nechama Rivlin hosted spouses and partners of foreign diplomats serving in Israel on Tuesday morning at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s official residence. The meeting was held jointly with the Diplomatic Spouses of Israel Association (DSI). Co-President of DSI, Julie Fisher, wife of the US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, introduced the President to the seated guests. Of DSI's 205 members, 80 were in attendance, representing 33 countries, and for many it was their first time in Beit Hanasi and in Jerusalem.
“We know the sacrifices that you make for your spouses and partners,” began the President, adding, “we know that you are not just 'ambassador’s better halves' you are also ambassadors of your countries, and you are also ambassadors of Israel. Each of you has made your homes in Israel, and even if you are here for only a few years, I hope Israel will always have a place in your hearts.”
The President mentioned the challenges faced in the past year and said, “We are very near Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish New Year. It is a time when we look back at the year gone by and we pray for a year of health and peace. It wasn’t an easy year, but I am sure that the coming year will be much better, safer, happier, and hopefully much more peaceful. Israel and the whole world has many challenges, but with you, our friends, standing by our side, we can and we will overcome them."
Two large gift baskets were presented to the Rivlins, filled with specialty items from their countries around the world.
Aline Bizimana of Rwanda was honored to ask President Rivlin the first question. The Jewish people are one nation, Rivlin said in his response, but there are four tribes, religious, secular, Arab and modern Orthodox, each with their own education systems and newspapers, we still need to connect those tribes. Israel has to be Jewish and Democratic.
In his response to a question, Rivlin told the group how his family arrived in the Holy Land 210 years ago, ready to be first to welcome the Messiah. "We are still waiting," he added.
English was the language used throughout the program. DSI Co-President Rocio Gonzalez from Peru, told BJL her first name means "dew" or "Tal in Hebrew" she added. Volunteer Hebrew teacher Pnina Goldstein accompanied the group, as did Sali Ariel, another long-time volunteer teacher for DSI. Gail Gleicher and Shahenaz Al-Majali serve as DSI Trip Coordinators. Tamara Gelboin from Maryland, whose mother lives in Baltimore, was one of the US citizens in the group.
On the way back to buses, and on to their next stop at the Jewish Agency, Khin Lay Mu from Myanmar, posed in the gardens for BJL.
After three years here, Jure Ferlez of Slovenia is due to leave in July, but as he is involved in Internet Technology, Ferlez said he has made good use of his time in Israel. Another of the 15 male members of DSI who was on this trip was Aldo Henriquez of United Kingdom.
DSI is planning a longer day trip in November, but today's visitors to Jerusalem were to get box lunches on the bus back to Tel Aviv. Many have young children and the visit was planned to enable them to be back in Tel Aviv in time for school dismissal.
