Governor’s Camera Shy Visits

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Shmulik Sofer

Governor of Florida Rick Scott embarked on Thursday on a weeklong trade mission to Israel, leading a contingent of nearly 50 people from his state.

Included in the group are many businessmen, Florida State Senate President Mike Haridopolos, University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft and Rabbi Schneur and Chanie Oirechman, Shluchim in the capital of Tallahassee.

Like former governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist, Scott has chosen to visit the Holy Land during his first year in office, the Associated Press pointed out.

With 750,000 Jewish residents, Florida is the third largest Jewish community in the United States.

Scott and his delegation will be touring Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as Yad Vashem, the Israeli memorial to victims of the Holocaust.

A site the Governor did not save for later was the Kotel, which he visited on Friday night.

“People at the ‘wall’ were singing and dancing. Men and woman are separated into different areas for prayer, singing, and dancing,” Haridopolos told Florida Today.

“Some men wear yarmulkes, while others wear black, impressive hats that signify their Jewish sect.”

Rabbi Oirechman, who has been friendly with both Bush and Crist, said he was impressed with Scott’s timing.

“He is a man that puts his money where his mouth is,” the Chabad Shliach told COLlive.com.

“Most leaders prefer coming to the Kotel during the weekdays so they can get a photo opportunity. The Governor decided to specifically come on Shabbbos.”

From the Old City, Governor Scott continued to the nearby David Citadel Hotel for a full-course traditional Shabbos meal. Rabbi Oirechman was asked to deliver the Dvar Torah.

Another speaker at the meal – who perhaps needed an introduction of ‘nisht kein shabbos geredt’ – was Prof. Eugene Kandel, head of the National Economic Council, who spoke about the need and opportunities for investment in Israel.

While some speculated that the visit of the Republican Governor had political implications, Scott insisted the main focus was strengthening economic ties.

Even so, Scott returned to the Kotel on Sunday for a second – and camera ready – visit.

Rabbi Oirechman said the visit was his initiative. “I told him that a photo of him in this holy place for Jews would be helpful for Florida Jews.”

Meeting the Governor was Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabonovitch who led a tour through the Western Wall Tunnels.