U.S. President Donald Trump sent his condolences to his Israeli counterpart President Reuven Rivlin, a day after Israel's first lady passed away following an unsuccessful lung transplant.
Trump tweeted that he and his wife Melania were sending their condolences to the president "and the entire State of Israel." Trump, who is currently on a state visit in the United Kingdom, said, "Mrs. Rivlin represented her beloved country with grace and stature. We will miss her along with all those who knew her.
The Trumps met the Rivlins when they visited Jerusalem in 2017. Rivlin suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, an interstitial lung disease, and was regularly seen in public with a portable oxygen tank.
During the presidential visit, Melania Trump helped the Israeli as she walked, endearing the former to the Israeli public. During the visit, Nechama presented Melania with the book Hug, about mother-son relationships.
Rivlin underwent a lung transplant in March but the complications had her hospitalized until her death early Tuesday. Her funeral was to take place on Wednesday evening.
Rivlin, who passed away at the age of 73 – just one day before her 74th birthday – led a quiet life by the side of her much more overt husband, the current president of Israel.
A full-fledged sabra born on Moshav Herut; her parents, Mendi and Drora Kayla Shulman, helped establish the community. Rivlin earned a degree in botany and zoology, along with a teaching diploma, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
She became a researcher at Hebrew University in 1967. Her initial role was in the Zoology Department; she later worked in the Ecology Department as well as in the Genetics Department. She wed Reuven Rivlin in 1971.
Rivlin was known to be a vocal supporter of women and children, as well as a staunch advocate for the environment and the arts.
While she retired in 2007, her husband was elected president of Israel in June of 2014. Married for nearly 50 years, they have three children: Rivka, Anat and Ran.
In a column the Israeli president wrote on June 2 celebrating Jerusalem Day, he said he "found the love of my life, Nechama, in Jerusalem."
With the news of her passing came words of condolence, comfort and praise from around the world.
The U.S. State Department wrote that on behalf of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the American people, "we extend our deepest condolences to President Reuven Rivlin, his family and the people of Israel on the passing of Israel's First Lady, Nechama Rivlin. Beloved for her warmth and kindness, she touched the hearts of so many over the years. Our hearts are with all who mourn her loss during this difficult time."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman posted on Twitter that "her strength in the face of adversity will remain an inspiration to all who knew her." National Security Adviser John Bolton and U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt also acknowledged Israel's loss.
AIPAC noted that Nechama Rivlin was "an accomplished scientist, a promoter of the arts, and an advocate for the environment."
Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom Ephraim Mirvis said Nechama Rivlin was "a lady of warmth, wisdom and humility whose loss will be mourned not just in Israel, but across the Jewish world and beyond. We extend our condolences to the president and his family. May the Almighty comfort them among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
Dutch Ambassador to Israel Gilles Beschoor and Polish Ambassador to Israel Marek Magierowski had kind words to offer, as did Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said to Israelis: "Canadians are grieving with you."
Even leaders of smaller areas noted the profound effect that Rivlin had, particularly on women.
Congresswoman Grace Meng from the 6th District in Queens, N.Y., said, "I am sad to learn about the passing of Nechama Rivlin, and I grieve with Israel as its citizens mourn her loss. She was a kind and generous person who made many contributions to Israel focusing on children, the arts and many other issues. At this difficult time, I send my deepest condolences to President Rivlin and the entire Rivlin family, as well as to the people of Israel. May her memory be a blessing."
This article is reprinted with permission from JNS.org.
