The lions’ tale
While we are so pleased that Robert Benrimon of our community is the grand marshall for the Celebrate Israel Parade, I wanted to clarify the background related to the 25 Lions of Judah distributed throughout our community.
The concept was developed by our former shliha (Israeli emissary), Orli Dudai, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. After consulting with our then-Israel and overseas’ chair, Lori Klinghoffer, the latter made a shidduch between Orli and Rachel Klinghoffer, who is an artist and Lori’s daughter. Rachel then designed the prototype which was then reproduced as blank life-sized versions, which synagogues and agencies then purchased and decorated as an educational project. Mr. Benrimon helped fund the project and consulted on the fabrication and production
of the life-size lions.
It is indeed gratifying that these Lions grace the lobbies and hallways of so many synagogues and agencies and the entranceway to our campus as a tangible reminder of the eternal capital of Israel.
I want to thank Orli, Lori, Rachel, and Robert for making this possible.
Max L. Kleinman
Executive Vice President/CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
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