“The Mayor of Yerushalayim is coming!” Students and teachers of JIQ (Jewish Institute of Queens) prepared excitedly for this historic visit on Friday, March 1. The students in grades four, five, and six stood outside the door holding Israeli flags and singing “Am Yisrael Chai” to welcome Mayor Moshe Lion.
As the mayor stepped inside, he was greeted by the students of the youngest grades, who were also singing “Am Yisrael Chai” and waving Israeli flags. There was so much enthusiasm from the students and the teachers. Mayor Lion reflected back the excitement as he sang along with the children. He was thrilled to see Jewish education going on here “in the Galut,” as he said, “This is the future of our nation.” He went into the classrooms and watched what the children were learning. He asked them questions about Israel and offered to answer their questions.
Next, he spoke to the Ohr Chana high school girls in an assembly. He spoke about how important it is to learn Torah and observe mitzvos. He thanked Mr. Lev Leviev who established this school about 25 years ago. He said, “It’s a special school for the Jewish people. It’s so important. It helps all the Jewish people of the world. As Yerushalayim mayor, I know how important it is to be Jewish in the Galut. We have to keep it. It’s very important.” He thanked all the rabbis there, and he also thanked Chagit Leviev, the daughter of Mr. Lev Leviev. He said, “I’m very excited to be here. I wish you full success, and if you have questions about what is happening in Israel or Jerusalem, I can answer.”
Mayor Lion was re-elected last week, after serving five years as Mayor of Yerushalayim. This is a very important position, as most mayors of Yerushalayim go on to the Knesset. He came to the Ohel, the kever of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, to say thank you to Hashem for this honor. The way this visit happened is that, of course, it was orchestrated by Hashem. Mr. Lev Leviev, President of the Worldwide Bukharin Jewish Congress, started this school, the Jewish Institute of Queens, and other schools for the Bukharian community, so that the parents would send their children to yeshivah instead of public school and be able to receive a Jewish education.
The following people accompanied the mayor on his visit: Rabbi Baruch Babayev, Chief Rabbi of Bukharian community of the US and Canada, Mr. Boris Kandov, President of the Bukharain Congress in US and Canada, Rabbi Zalman Zvulonov, Head of JIQ, and Rabbi Levi Wolowik, Director of the school. Also, the daughter of Mr. Lev Leviev, Chagit Leviev, came with the mayor to the school.
Mayor Lion said he would come again and stay longer next time.
Rabbi Meir Liebowitz, history teacher in the school, shared, “It was really a wonderful follow-up for the students who attended the Washington Rally this year on behalf of Israel.”
One student shared, “I felt so privileged and inspired that the mayor came.”
Another student said, “I felt important since he came to our school.”
By Susie Garber
