The President of the State of Israel, Isaac (Bougie) Herzog, met in Rome with Rabbi Yitzchak Hazan, the head Chabad Shliach in the city.
The two discussed Chabad’s extensive activities in Italy to strengthen the Jewish identity of community members, including public Hanukkah lightings, sukkot in public spaces, and more.
During their conversation, they shared emotional memories. President Herzog recalled his recent visit to the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Rabbi Hazan reminisced about how, as a young yeshiva student in 1976 (5737), he saw President Herzog, then a young boy, participating in Hakafot (Simchat Torah celebrations) with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, alongside his father, Chaim Herzog, of blessed memory, who was then serving as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Rabbi Hazan highlighted the fact that the Rebbe even granted him, at just 15 years old, to hold a Torah scroll during the Hakafot—an honor granted to very few.
President Herzog confirmed the memory with joy, expressing deep appreciation and nostalgia for that special moment, which remains vivid in his mind to this day.
The meeting took place at the Great Synagogue of Rome, just minutes before President Herzog’s speech to a large crowd that had gathered to welcome him. The meeting was part of President Herzog’s official visit to Italy, following his meetings with the Prime Minister and President of Italy.
