[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro accompanied by Ms. Julie Fisher, his wife, visited Bnei Brak, meeting with Gedolei Torah Shlita. He met with HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita, addressing the Gadol HaDor in Hebrew.

The ambassador expressed his delight over the opportunity to visit Bnei Brak as well as the opportunity to meet with the Rav, wishing the Rav, his family and the entire kehila a Shana Tova. The Rav responded, telling the ambassador that there is nothing better than Torah.

The ambassador and his wife also met with the mayor, Rabbi Yaakov Asher, as well as the city council, and they were briefed on the Bnei Brak 60th anniversary plans for expanding businesses opportunities in the city. Here too he communicated in Hebrew, highlighting the bond between the embassy and Bnei Brak. The two exchanged greetings as well.

They then visited a girl’s yeshiva. He explained that the US Embassy supports English studies in the yeshiva towards giving the girl’s the necessary skills to one day earn an livelihood. Rabbi Zemach Mazuz addressed the forum, stressing their hakoras hatov for the relationship with the United States. The ambassador explained that for the US Embassy, assisting the girl’s in learning English leaves them with a sense of pride.

Their next stop was Mayanei HaYeshua Hospital, with the ambassador having nothing but praise for the amazing care for  the new mothers and their babies.

Of course the ambassador stopped in a number of local stores to make pre yomtov food purchased, stating he looks forward to his next visit to the city.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)