NEW YORK, NY — Following his call to open Bahrain to the return of its native Jewish population, a delegation of 50 Bahraini Jews who live across the United States stood for a blessing on King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa. Leading the traditional blessing, Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the Washington, D.C., director of American Friends of Lubavitch, thanked G-d for “bestowing a part of His glory” on an earthly monarch.
King of Bahrain Extends Jewish Communal Welcome During State Visit
NEW YORK, NY — Following his call to open Bahrain to the return of its native Jewish population, a delegation of 50 Bahraini Jews who live across the United States stood for a blessing on King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa. Leading the traditional blessing, Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the Washington, D.C., director of American Friends of Lubavitch, thanked G-d for “bestowing a part of His glory” on an earthly monarch.
Shemtov, who maintains relations with many foreign missions in the District and all branches of the U.S. government, attended the Tuesday meeting in New York at the personal invitation of the king. During the meeting, King Hamad said that all expatriate Bahrainis, whatever their religion, could return to their home country at will.
“It’s open, it’s your country,” said the monarch.
After the address, Shemtov spoke with the king, who has spearheaded electoral and legal reforms in his Gulf kingdom since taking the throne in 1999, and more recently suggested through his foreign minister that Israel participate in a regional conference of Middle Eastern nations, including Iran.
“I told him that the Jewish community appreciates the things he’s said recently about Israel and the Jewish people,” Shemtov said from his office on Wednesday.
