Nissim Ben Shitrit, the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, is currently in Israel and met with Rabbi Yaakov Asher, Mayor of Bnei Barak, who expressed his appreciation to the ambassador for his assistance on behalf of the bochurim incarcerated in Japan.
During the meeting at Bnei Brak’s City Hall, also attended by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shafran, a leading dayan, the mayor urged the ambassador not to spare any efforts in trying to have the imprisoned boys released. Even now, after one of the boys already received his verdict, the ambassador continues to work vigorously to allow the boy to be transferred to Israel to serve out his sentence. Similarly, the ambassador continues to work on behalf of the two other bochurim in advance of their trials.
At the meeting, also attended by Rabbi Yaakov Kolitz, head of the Mayor’s office of Bnei Brak, the mayor once again discussed the plight of the boys and recounted what he himself had witnessed during his visit to Japan.
Rabbi Asher said that a few days ago he got a letter from the bochur who already received his verdict, in which the bochur thanked the mayor for his constant concern and involvement on his behalf.
After meeting at City Hall, the mayor and the ambassador went to visit Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman. The rosh yeshiva bentched the ambassador for his efforts on behalf of the bochurim and stressed the importance of helping them in light of their dire situation. The ambassador replied that he was only doing his duty and he is therefore not worthy of thanks. Rav Shteinman replied that he knows that the ambassador has been working above and beyond his duty, with all his heart and with all his abilities, and he therefore deserves the hakoras hatov of the chareidi community.
The ambassador said to the mayor, after the meeting with Rav Shteinman, that he is amazed that the rosh yeshiva, renowned throughout the chareidi world and one of the gedolei hador, resides in such a small and humble apartment, in such a frugal and simple manner.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
