Sunday, 1 February 2022 / 30 Shevat 5782
First Lady Michal Herzog welcomed members of the Diplomatic Spouses’ and Partners’ Club of Israel to the President’s Residence in Jerusalem today for an open conversation about their lives in public service. The First Lady was joined by club president Mrs. Stephanie Baric, wife of U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Shrier.
The diplomatic spouses and partners told the First Lady about their previous postings with their partners, and the wife of the political counsellor at the Moroccan Liaison Office told her in fluent Hebrew that she was deeply moved to be living in Israel, describing the experience as a “dream.”
Mrs. Herzog welcomed the diplomatic spouses and discussed her experiences growing up in Brazil as the daughter of an Israeli diplomat: “My father was the Israeli military attaché in Brazil, so I understand the situation of coming to a new place, bringing family to a new place. For me growing up in Brazil was a wonderful experience: seeing the world, learning a new culture and new languages. I went to an international American school but everything else was in Portuguese. I even watched Sesame Street in Portuguese.”
He had the opportunity to talk it with Larissa Muller, wife of the Defense, Navy and Army Attaché of the Brazilian Embassy in Israel.
Mrs. Herzog and the diplomatic spouses discussed the personal experiences of sacrificing their own careers in order to follow their husbands into public service. Mrs. Herzog explained that she had previously worked as a lawyer and represented philanthropic foundations in Israel, and that she had resigned upon President Isaac Herzog’s election: “I felt that we were given a gift, so I felt that I should put all my energies and efforts and time into the role and help, so we’re doing this as a couple.”
Mrs. Herzog spoke about the historic presidential visit to the United Arab Emirates, which ended yesterday, and said: “We just landed last night from a remarkable visit to the UAE. It was very, very moving. It felt very natural. The interaction with the Emiratis was incredible, there was real chemistry, and it felt natural, and you think, why didn’t this happen so many years ago? It was an incredible visit, and I do feel that there is hope for the future of this area, and it shows that peace in this area can be achieved. It brings hope to all of us.”
Mrs. Herzog concluded by saying, “I wish you all well and hope you enjoy your stay in our country and leave as successful ambassadors for Israel.”
Photos Silvia G. Golan
