April 17, 2012, was a night
to remember, as friends, family and admirers of Professor Reuven
Feuerstein gathered at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem to celebrate
the Professor's 90th birthday. It was an exciting and unforgettable
evening, filled with emotional moments and inspiring and moving speeches
given by friends and supporters of the Professor. The evening also
served as the kick-off of the campaign for the establishment of the
Feuerstein Institute International Campus.
The evening, sponsored by
Feuerstein Heritage Foundation chairman, Claude Bassou, and by Mrs.
Zehava Adiri, began with the very first meeting of the Feuerstein
Institute's International Board of Governors. The Board consists of an
illustrious group of academic and public figures, and is the main body
to advance the activities of the Feuerstein Institute.
Immediately following,
guests gathered for cocktails, where many old friends of the Feuerstein
Institute from all over the world mingled, reacquainted, shared a few
quick words and well wishes with the Professor and signed the beautiful
Campus Charter designed by artist Ya'akov Boussidan.
The Professor was honored
and toasted by many notable guests; among them Claude Bassou, Sheikh
Jabari of Hebron and Rabbi I.M. Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv. Chief
Rabbi Lau recalled for the audience a conversation he had with Teddy
Kollek, former mayor of Jerusalem, twenty years prior at the Institute's
inauguration. Chief Rabbi Lau had said; "Reuven is seventy years old,
why is he starting all these new projects?" To which Teddy Kollek
answered; "You will see - not only is Reuven going to start these
projects, he will accomplish them and start new ones as well." Sure
enough, Professor Feuerstein has, and Chief Rabbi Lau finished his
speech by saying; "Today, Reuven (acts and thinks) younger than me. He
has many more dreams. He is going to accomplish them."
Nir Barkat, mayor of
Jerusalem, rounded out the roster of speakers. He addressed those
assembled not only as a mayor and a friend of the Feuerstein family, but
as a parent. He discussed how strongly he believes in the Feuerstein
method, and how important the goal of integration is. He stated that his
connection to the Feuerstein Institute has strongly influenced the way
he views learning and education policies.
At the conclusion of the
speeches, Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein called up the Institute's leadership,
and had each of them hand Professor Feuerstein a rose, symbolizing that
they stand strong together. This was followed by musical performances by
noted Israeli performer Shuli Rand, Professor Feuerstein's nephew, and
musician Boaz Sharabi.
The evening concluded with
all of the Professor's grandchildren performing a play for their
grandfather. Elchanan, the Professor's 22 year old grandson who has Down
Syndrome, had forgotten his script and improvised his line, closing
with, "Saba (Grandfather), for all these years you took care of me. Now,
I will take care of you."
The evening was truly a fitting celebration of the man through the recognition and appreciation of his life's work.
