Dear Friends,

JFN mourns the passing of Aura Herzog, mother of Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog, as well as Joel and Ronit Herzog.

Mrs. Herzog, the widow of President Chaim Herzog, was part of the great generation of Israelis that built the country. She immigrated to Israel in 1946 (after growing up in Egypt and studying in South Africa) and, despite being seriously injured in a bombing attack on the Jewish Agency, went on to serve as an intelligence officer in the War of Independence.

Mrs. Herzog’s many accomplishments on behalf of the Jewish state included helping to initiate Israel’s first International Bible contest, heading the Department of Culture in the Ministry of Education and Culture, and founding/leading the Council for a Beautiful Israel, the country’s first environmental protection organization.

Her children are continuing the family tradition of devoting their lives to Israel and the Jewish people. At JFN, we are honored to count the Herzogs as part of our family: Isaac Herzog’s wife Michal is a longtime member of JFN, and we were fortunate to have him speak at our recent Israel Ideas Festival. The family is in our minds and hearts, and we wish them strength in this difficult time.

Baruch dayan emet.

Warmly,

Andrés Spokoiny, JFN President and CEO
Marcia Riklis, JFN Board Chair

(Photo by Haim Zach/Israel Government Press Office)