Nechama Rivlin – Remembered

On Monday, March 11, Nechama Rivlin, z”l,  נחמה בת דרורה – Nechama bat Derora, wife of Israel President Reuven Rivlin, had a single lung transplant at Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah.

On June 5, on what would have been her 74th birthday she was buried in Har Herzl Cemetery.

President Rivlin and his family received condolence calls from all over the country and from world leaders on the passing of his wife.

Beit Hanasi flags at half mast after death of Nechama Rivlin

At the entrance to Beit HaNasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, flags were lowered to half mast.

Jerusalem Theater lobby before funeral of Nechama Rivlin pall bearers bring casket and stand before leaving

Eight pallbearers carried her casket into the Jerusalem Theater.

She loved the theater and the public was invited to come and pay respects.

Jerusalem Theater for funeral of Nechama Rivlin with President REuven Rivlin and family

The President came to the theater at 4:00 pm, surrounded by family and especially supported by a young grandson, before the cortege left for the cemetery.

More than four thousand people from all over the country, of all ages, tribes, and sectors, came to offer their condolences to the President and his family, including government ministers, Knesset members, military and police personnel, heads of various religious and ethnic communities in Israel, ambassadors and cultural and spiritual figures.

 

Nechama Rivlin shiva at Beit Hanasi

Because of the Shavuot holiday, the shiva mourning days were shortened from seven to only two days. Beit Hanasi was open to all those who wished to pay their respects.

Over the holiday weekend, I had time to think back over the past years and the hundreds of photos taken at Beit Hanasi. 

Beit Hanasi Nechama Rivlin at New Year Host

At every event, I had to decide whether or not to post a photo with the oxygen line, as here standing next to the President at a New Year’s Reception for Diplomats at the 2017 Rosh Hashana “raise a glass.

President and Nechama Rivlin at arrival of German President

In June 2015, the Rivlins stood outside of Beit Hanasi during the anthems as the German President made an official visit.

Nechama Rivlin and wife of German president walking into Beit Hanasi holding hands

Both presidents’ wives walked hand and hand down the red carpet. This is one of the few public appearances without portable oxygen in hand.

Dedication of Jerusalem Gazelle Park with Nechama Rivlin

In spite of her medical condition, Nechama Rivlin attended the opening of Gazelle Park.

Jerusalem Gazelle Park Opening Nechama Rivlin speaking

President Rivlin was out of the country and she was the featured speaker.

President Trump at Beit Hanasi Neshcam Rivlin in front row

For diplomatic functions, the main hall gets crowded, none more so than for the visit of US President Trump to Jerusalem, Israel.

Rivlins in Garden at Beith Hanasi during Trump visit to Jerusalem

For the brief trip out to the back garden, Nechama had her oxygen in hand.

Jerusalem Foundation 50 celebration at Beit Hanasi

Here she is seated outside for the Jerusalem Foundation 50th year celebration.

Nechama Rivlin at Beit Hanasi for Jerusalem Foundation

The Rivlins posed on stage for a photo with dignitaries.

Young Musicians with President and Nechama Rivlin at Beit Hanasi

And they also posed with the young musicians who performed.

Nechama Rivlin and grandson at Beit Hanasi ceremony

There were many first-row center seats in the garden for celebrations and performances. This one was memorable as their grandson had a special seat of honor.

The Rivlins hosted Bible study sessions and literary and other awards.

Tu Bishvat seder at Beit Hanasi Nechama Rivlin

They initiated new events for Jewish holidays and sat the head of this seder for Tu Bishvat

Reading to children invited to Beit Hanasi Nechama Rivlin

Nechama Rivlin was the one who hosted groups of children in the garden for Tu Bishvat. 

Nechama Rivlin at Beit Hanasi

Various groups of young students were invited to the back garden.

Children in Beit Hanasi garden for Tu Bishvat and Nechama Rivlin reading

With the Presidential cat supervising, she read to the children.

Beit Hanasi community garden established by Nechama Rivlin

But the main activity was planting for Tu Bishvat in the children’s community garden she initiated.

Tu BeShvat in Beit Hanasi garden Nechama Rivlin planting

In the neglected back corner past the synagogue, an area was cleared and flowers were planted.

The portable oxygen is seen not far away off to the right in this photo.

Child garden in Beit Hanasi with Nechama Rivlin

In 2016, Nechama Rivlin got down with her shovel to plant in the garden  

With the President, she also acted as hostess to lone soldiers, on Sukkot to greet the public or at special events.

After dozens of times at Beit Hanasi, one event still stands out.

Beit Hanasi sign welcoming children to party

This sign in Hebrew across the Beit Hanasi entrance gate read  “With love, Nechama and Ruvi Rivlin,” to welcome the children of police and security personnel

Snack and games for children at Beit Hanasi

There was a special kids menu, with a carnival set up on the grounds.

Nechama Rivlin with her oxygen in garden at Beit Hanasi

As the Rivlins came out of the house and entered the grounds, Nechama Rivlin began by explaining to the children about her portable oxygen.

Performer with children of security personnel at Beit Hanasi

There was entertainment for young children, as age was limited that day for under 8 years old.

Starting in September 2015, a “wave of terror” had their parents on duty 24/7, and families under great stress.

Beit Hanasi party with Nechama Rivlin reading to children

The young guests sat that afternoon in October, as Nechama Rivlin read them a story.

As everyone was entering the main hall there was a loud noise.

For a second you could have heard a feather drop.

But as soon as it was realized a balloon had popped, the noisy chatter began again.

I think this was the first and last time I saw bunches of balloons in Beit Hanasi. 

Nehchama Rivlin entering hall for a ceremony

Nechama Rivlin z’l in spite of her lung disease, supported by loyal young staffers, worked beside her husband from the time his term as President began in July 2014, even traveling overseas.

She shared her love of gardening and literature and theater with young Israelis.

The president and his family were overwhelmed by the great love shown to them throughout Nechama’s illness, and the enormous warmth shown by so many people since her death. The President and his family thanked Beit Yisrael, the Jewish people, with all their hearts. The President and family expressed deep appreciation before the holiday began.

Necjama Rivlin funeral mourning wreathes and candle

Outside the entrance of Beit Hanasi, flowers surrounded the black-draped photo.

I thought it fitting to share these few photographs and conclude with the traditional words to mourners.

המקום ינחם אותם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

May you be comforted by the gates of mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

Link for President’s Eulogy HERE 

6 thoughts on “Nechama Rivlin – Remembered

  • June 12, 2019 at 8:24 am
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    Simply beautiful and meaningful….as she was as a person who seemed so sincere in all that she did..

    Reply
    • June 12, 2019 at 3:29 pm
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      Thank you

      Reply
  • June 12, 2019 at 2:04 pm
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    Lovely. Moving. Added special insights. Thank you.

    Reply
    • June 12, 2019 at 3:29 pm
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      Thanks. I hope you had a good Yom Tov.

      Reply
  • June 13, 2019 at 12:55 am
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    Thanks Sharon,
    For beautiful, intriguing,
    thought-provoking
    tribute to Nechama Rivlin, z”l.

    Reply
    • June 13, 2019 at 6:44 am
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      Thank you, interesting how few knew what she was doing the past years at Beit Hanasi, in spite of illness, and even less the 70 years prior.

      Reply

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