News And Events

U. S Ambassador, Mr Dan Shapiro visit in Bnei-Brak

“The days which come upon us are judgment day to the universe and everything in it, but not less than that for my people and countries of the world; what will be their future and how they will be seen and conducted in near year. So for all that we prey these days and therefore need good merits and good deeds” – So said our great teacher and head of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Aharon Lave Steinman Shlita to Mr. Dan Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel who arrived at the home of the head of the Yeshiva, with Rabbi Yaakov Asher, Mayor of Bnei Brak, to be blessed for the upcoming year.

The big visit started at the mayor’s office who blessed the ambassador on his initiative to visit in Bnei Brak and emphasized that many great people of Israel have always referred to the United States as a “kingdom of grace”, for when Jews were persecuted around the world they took them in, so it’s not for nothing that it became the leader of the free world.

The mayor reviewed the economic and organizational processes in city hall, the financial balance this third year, the re-organization actions taken, like constant budget inspection, the construction and modification of many educational institutions, the blessed activity among children and young adults, developing roads and sidewalks infrastructure around the city for the sum of 150 million NIS and the substantial growth in the city’s income from developing the B.B.C – the tall office towers in the northern part of the city, which will lead to more development and additional services to the general population of the city.

Mr. Dan Shapiro, US ambassador expressed his pleasure in meeting with the mayor and the city team, and the professional way in which city hall is managed when using various plans to solve problems of an old city, step by step, when results are already seen and making a difference. Mr. Dan Shapiro emphasized his deep impression from the city, its spiritual uniqueness and its sense of charity and mutual kindness.

Also attending the meeting were Rabbi Hanoch Zeibert, substitute mayor and mayor deputies, Rabbi Menachem Mandel Eisenberg, Rabbi Eliyahu Dadon and Rabbi Abraham Rubistein. The meeting and the tour was arranged by Rabbi Moshe Eisen, CEO of the Bnei Brak Development Foundation.

After the ceremonial official part, the ambassador met with reporters in the mayor’s chamber, and in response to some questions he said that there was no contradiction between president Obama’s speech and his past speeches, in regards to borders, territory and security and he is continuing with these same principles in consideration of Israel’s security needs as a small country surrounded by threats.

The ambassador added that Israel is the United States’ best ally and that he has been sent to Israel by president Obama in order to strengthen and deepen the good relationship and meet people all around the country and from all parts of the population in order to tighten ties and partnership.

As for the remark by one of the candidates for the presidency of the United States, in regards to moving the US embassy, if and when chooses, the ambassador replied that presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama all felt that it was not yet time to move the embassy, and that the policy regarding Jerusalem needs to be determined in negotiations between both sides and in final talks. According to the ambassador, the president of the United States thinks that first political and territorial issues should be addressed, before addressing Jerusalem.

In the second part of the visit the ambassador and his team visited in “Atrat Rachel” high school, in order to get a close impression of the English studies, following the aid in funding scholarships given by the embassy, and indeed in his conversation in the classroom he saw the highest level of the students and their progress.

The opening words were said by Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz, CEO of “Ish Mazliach” institutes, which were established all around the country in memory of the great Rabbi Mazliach Mazuz who was murdered in a market in Tunisia, 49 years ago, by an Arab from Gaza. The Rabbi mentioned the blessed and widespread activity of Rabbi Yaakov Asher, the mayor and Rabbi Eliyahu Dadon, deputy mayor and head of education who helped a lot in developing and building the institutes, and also praised the work of the school’s president - T. Yishay, the wife of deputy prime minister, minster of the interior.

In the hospital of “Maayaney Hayshua” in Bnei Brak the mayor and the ambassador met with the hospital administration and heard the review of the impressive development of the place, the additional wards and units, and innovative equipment. Rabbi Dr. Moshe Rothschild, founder and president of the hospital; Rabbi Gershon Lidar, CEO and professor Mordechai Ravid, the medical director emphasized that although the hospital is in central Israel, where many other big hospitals are, many people come specifically here because of the high medical standard, warm and loving attitude to whoever comes, meeting the Halacha high standards and maintaining all that has to do with sanctity of life. The ambassador and his wife were very excited to receive a present from a couple of twins who had to stay there long, as they were born premature.

At the end of the visit the ambassador went out to Rabbi Akkiva street, the city’s main street, to buy some original Jewish food for the upcoming holidays in “Delicacy” store and “Yaale” bakery next door.