Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Senate recently hosted the Israeli Consul General to New England Yehuda Yaakov during a formal session of the Massachusetts Senate. Yaakov was invited to the State House in honor of Israeli Independence Day.
“It was a pleasure to join my colleagues in hosting the Consul General of Israel at the State House,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “It is important that the Commonwealth continues its long history of cooperation with Israel, and I also hope that having Mr. Yaakov join us during a formal session of the Senate signifies to the Jewish community, as well as all cultures and communities, that they are welcome and valued here in the Commonwealth.”
“Fostering connections across cultures helps our sense of community here in Massachusetts to grow and become more inclusive,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “I hope that we are able to continue our tradition of bringing other cultures into the people’s building to work with the communities they represent.”
Yaakov’s visit marks the third time the Israeli Consul General has visited at the State House. Yaakov addressed the Senate about the relationship between Israel and the United States and the strong cultural ties and friendship between the Jewish communities of Boston and Israel.
Prior to the visit, Rabbi Michelle Robinson of Temple Emanuel in Newton joined Rosenberg, Yaakov, and other Jewish members of the Senate to hang a Mezuzah in the Senate President’s Office. The mezuzah is a traditional Jewish symbol of welcome that is placed in a doorway.
“The mezuzah hanging is particularly meaningful in this space because the mezuzah contains a prayer about listening, and this is the place where our senators and public servants listen – it reminds them to always be open to listening” said Robinson following the mezuzah hanging.
The Consul General of Israel is the official representative of the State of Israel to New England and serves as the liaison between the residents of New England and the State of Israel. Yaakov has been a member of Israel’s Foreign Service since 1989.