A hundred hospitalized children at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem participated in the festival celebration of Purim on Tuesday, March 23. They heard music from Hassidic music star Avraham Fried, had a visit from Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin and his wife Nechama, and received baskets of treats.
"Happy Purim to all the children of Israel, and in particular those of you who are in the hospital. We pray for your speedy recovery. Today, when you're not home getting dressed up and having fun, we're coming to you to cheer you up. I want to thank the incredible, wonderful doctors who are taking care of you, and who let us celebrate even in difficult times. Also, I want to thank the fabulous nurses and the rest of the staff,” President Rivlin said.
During one of the songs a young heart patient, Ofer Arvraham, went to sit next to the President, and the two began to sing along together. Then President Rivlin noticed another young and very shy patient, Raphael Shmuel Badichi, who was sitting in the front row, so he called him to come up asked him to join in the singing.
Director General Prof. Zeev Rotstein greeted the children and assured them that the hospital was doing everything possible to make sure they get better.
President Rivlin passed on his blessings to Director General Prof. Zeev Rotstein, “I want to take this opportunity as President of Israel and as a Jerusalemite, to give my blessings to your taking on the job of Director General of Hadassah.”