Ambassador Shapiro and Ms Julie Fisher visit the city of Bnei Brak
September 27, 2011
U. S Ambassador Dan Shapiro and Ms Julie Fisher made a pre-Rosh Hashanah visit to Bnei Brak. There they met with Mayor Rabbi Yaakov Asher and other city officials and learned first-hand about the economic developments, challenges and opportunities taking place in Bnei Brak within the ultra-orthodox communities. They took the opportunity to meet Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman, prominent ultra-orthodox spiritual leader of the Lithuanian communities, at his residence. There they heard Rabbi Steinman praise America, echoing the words engraved in the Statue of Liberty, for opening its doors to ”the poor and needy”, that is what made America great, the land of the free. Following this meeting, the Ambassador and his wife toured Ateret Rachel Women’s Seminary, part of the Amal Group, where they met, among others, the president of the seminary , Mrs. Tsipi Yishai; the principal of the school, Rebbetzin Zivia Bukhris; and Rabbi Zemach Mazuz, the head of Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva, Bnei Brak and Amal Group representatives. The school receives a US funded grant for English language instruction. They entered a class and spoke to the students and took questions on the importance of learning English. Another highlight was their visit to Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, where they were welcomed by Dr. Moshe Rothschild, the founder and president of the medical center, and Rabbi Gershon Lieder, CEO; and Dr. Motti Ravid the Medical Director; and many other senior doctors and staff. They got to see the premature baby wards and maternity wards, learning how the hospital combines medical care with strict ethical care to show the importance and holiness in saving human lives. Ambassador Shapiro ended the visit by shopping at a local deli and eatery on Rabbi Akiva Street. Rabbi Moshe Eizen, CEO of Bnei Brak Development Fund, helped coordinate the visit.

Photo Credit: Matty Stern/U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv
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