Special Honors Awarded to Jonathan Pollard

Givat Shmuel and Kedumim

Justice4JP Release - December 20, 2006

Adding to the list of Israeli cities that have paid special tribute to Jonathan Pollard making him an honored citizen, the towns of Givat Shmuel (near Tel Aviv) and of Kedumim (in the Shomron) held special ceremonies this week to honor Pollard.

At a festive presentation marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of Kedumim on Motzei Shabbat, Mayor Daniella Weiss presented Jonathan Pollard's wife Esther with a beautiful framed certificate making Jonathan an honored citizen of Kedumim. Weiss praised Jonathan's courage and bravery and his selfless devotion to the land of Israel. Her words were greeted with thunderous applause by the residents of Kedumim. Esther received the certificate and in Hebrew delivered a message from Jonathan which was warmly received by the filled-to-capacity town auditorium. (

Click here

to see Jonathan's Certificate of Honor from Kedumim)

The town of Givat Shmuel arranged a festive evening in honor of Jonathan on Monday which featured the play about Pollard, "Patzuah BaShetach". After the play a discussion ensued which was paneled by the lead actor, Hagai Lober; Jonathan's wife, Esther; the Russian spokesperson for the Pollard case, Eleonora Shiffrin; and Adi Ginzburg of The Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home. Lober held the crowd spellbound as he spoke of his visit with Jonathan, whom he described in glowing terms both intellectually and spiritually.

The evening which was superbly emceed by Avi Rath, also included a Chanukah candlelighting ceremony which was presided over by Rabbi Shmuel Yaniv, the rabbi of Givat Shmuel. Participants in the candle-lighting ceremony included Kathy Cohen who organized the evening, and Esther Pollard, wife of Jonathan Pollard. The Chanukia which they lit was a magnificent creation of cast-iron, beautifully silver plated (in gold and silver colors), standing a half a meter tall, with all 8 branches and the shamash topped by replicas of small oil jugs.

When the evening was over, Rabbi Yaniv presented the magnificent Chanukia to Esther Pollard as a gift to her and Jonathan in appreciation, from the town of Givat Shmuel. M.C. Avi Rath presented her with a beautiful certificate of appreciation for her husband Jonathan. The certificate was hand inscribed by a sofer stam on a lovely piece of white parchment scroll. Here is the translation of the certificate:

B"H Chanukah 5767 (2006)

Certificate of Honor and Appreciation
In honor of hero of Israel
Jonathan Pollard

As we light Chanukah candles, your image shines in glory, like Mattityahu and his 5 sons who in their bravery assured the survival of our people, and especially bolstered our national spirit forever.

You languish now, like Yosef HaTzadik in prison; but even from there you still support us in our great battles for national redemption.

You risked your life to save us from the evil of the likes of Saddam Hussein (may his name be blotted out) and you will always be remembered for it. You have carved out your place for eternity in our national history.

We the Citizens of Givat Shmuel, want to express what we feel in our hearts, the deep gratitude to you and also to your wife who battles for you like Esther of the Megillah night and day, and to give to the two of you this Menorah as a token of our heartfelt love for you.

Along with all the rest of the House of Israel we raise a prayer to the Creator of the World that He should bless you with great health and that you should merit the realization of the Torah passuk: "And those redeemed by HaShem will return in joy" and may the light of this Menorah light up your house and shine for you to build your home in Jerusalem, the rebuilt!

(

Click here

to see Jonathan's Certificate of Honor from Givat Shmuel)

Jonathan Pollard was also honored this week at the Manhigut Convention on Tuesday night. In his honor, his wife Esther lit the first candle of a special Chanukah candle lighting ceremony at the convention. The enormous crowd which overflowed the ballroom at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Jerusalem gave Jonathan Pollard a long, loud, unanimous wall-to-wall standing ovation with thunderous applause.

See Also:

Note:

Other Certificates of Honor to Jonathan Pollard (not on the web) include Bat Yam, Hebron and Kyriat Arba and Har Hebron.