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By Itzhak Rabihiya

President urges teachers at annual awards ceremony to instruct pupils on ‘how to join, not how to separate’

President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday voiced his concerns over what he said is inciting and polarizing language being used in the political arena ahead of the coming Knesset elections. “Unfortunately, we have another election campaign, and I am very afraid of the discourse that characterizes the political arena today,” Rivlin said at the 11th annual National Teachers’ Awards ceremony for outstanding educators, which was held at Tel Aviv University. “I am afraid of attempts at polarization, incitement and division.”

President Rivlin spoke this evening, Thursday 13 June at the National Teachers' Conference and congratulated the winners of the National Teachers’ Awards. Certificates of excellence and prizes were awarded to six teachers from around the country for their work, dedication and innovative ways of educating children and young people. The National Teachers’ Award was awarded for the 11th year with the goal of raising the profile of Israel’s teachers.  “Teach them how to join, not how to separate,” he urged the educators. “Teach them that the clenched fist hides an open hand and fingers that can reach out to the other.”

Rivlin also publicly thanked all those who offered condolences on the death of his wife, Nechama, earlier this month, including many who visited him at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, and thousands who paid their respects by filing past her body as it lay in state. “I and my family are still in the first, difficult stage of the loss — and the waves of love that flow from you to us strengthen us greatly,” Rivlin said.

Prizes and certificates of excellence were presented to six teachers from around the country for their work and dedication to educating children and young people.

Among the thousands of mourners who came to Beit HaNasi during the shiva, it was the schoolchildren who moved us especially. They came, class by class, in their school shirts in case any of them got lost in the crowd. And, at the head of the group, the teacher. Some lessons are learnt outside the classroom, without a blackboard and chalk. Often, they are lessons in generosity, compassion and partnership. These are the lessons that the students and teachers of Israel taught me, even during the shiva, and for this I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family and I are still in the first, difficult stage of grief, but the waves of love that flow from you to us strengthen us enormously." The President congratulated the outstanding people, thanked them for their hard and important work and said that the entire nation is proud and grateful for what they do.

President Reuven Rivlin was also the guest of honor Thursday 13, at a reception to celebrate Russia Day hosted by the Russian Embassy in Israel. 

In his remarks, the president said, “Today, we are celebrating Russia, one of Israel’s closest allies and greatest friends. We know that the Russian Federation and its leaders are committed to Israel’s security and appreciate Russian’s support and President Putin’s involvement in securing the return of our missing soldier Zacharia Baumel ז"ל. Ensuring our soldiers come home is a promise we make to them and their families. Thank you for helping us keep that important promise”

The president emphasized that, “Today, Russia and Israel face challenges together and turn them into opportunities together. We work together to fight terrorism and forces that threaten the stability of our region and our world. Russia knows what it means to face threats and the cost of defeating them. Your country paid a heavy price fighting and defeating the Nazis. May that sacrifice to secure a better future for us all never be forgotten.”

Attached photo credit: Kobi Gideon (GPO)