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Remembering Yitzhak Rabin in Washington, D.C.
This week marks the 20th yahrzeit of Yitzhak Rabin, whom the world remembers as a soldier, a general, a diplomat, and prime minister. However, Rabin and his wife, Leah, became ambassadors of culture as well as politics, promoting Israeli artists and musicians in the United States. While they lived in Washington from 1968 to 1973, they joined Adas Israel Congregation. Their regular attendance at local Jewish functions allowed them to forge deep and lasting friendships with members of the local community.

Following Rabin's assassination, the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington worked with the Embassy of Israel to create an exhibition, Don't Whisper a Prayer, Sing Aloud A Song of Peace: Yitzhak Rabin in Washington. This photography-based exhibition traveled to more than 20 venues including Israeli consultates as well as community centers and synagogues across the country. It is still available for rental (details). Here is a selection of photos from the exhibition:
Yitzhak Rabin shaking Lyndon Baines Johnson's hand, 1968

Yitzhak Rabin, then Israel's newly appointed Ambassador to the United States, presented his credentials to President Lyndon Johnson, 1968.

Copyright Washington Post, reprinted by permission of the D.C. Public Library.

Yitzhak Rabin, Zubin Mehta, Norman Bernstein and David Lloyd Kreeger, 1971

The American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic sponsored the Israel Philharmonic's premiere at the Kennedy Center, 1971.
 

L to R: Yitzhak Rabin, Conductor Zubin Mehta, group founder and first president Norman Bernstein and David Lloyd Kreeger.

Courtesy of Diane and Norman Bernstein.

Yitzhak Rabin, Leah Rabin, and Rabbi Stanley Rabinowitz in front of the Shem Tov Award, 1973

Rabin and his wife, Leah, posed with Rabbi Stanley Rabinowitz when they were awarded Adas Israel's Shem Tov Award, 1973.

Courtesy of Rabbi Stanley Rabinowitz. Photograph by Mel Chamowitz.

Yitzhak Rabin, Gerald Ford, Leah Rabin, and Betty Ford at a State Dinner, 1974
President Gerald and Betty Ford held a State Dinner for Prime Minister Yitzhak and Leah Rabin, 1974.

Estate of Mel Chamowitz.

Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn with Yitzhak Rabin, 1977
In 1977, Rabin presented the David Ben Gurion Award to Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn
at the Washington Committee, State of Israel Bonds award dinner.

Estate of Mel Chamowitz.

Yitzhak Rabin with Bill Clinton

Prime Minister Rabin and President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1993 for the signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Courtesy of the White House. Photograph by Callie Shell.

Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum
701 4th Street, NW #200
Washington, D.C. 20001
Website: www.jhsgw.org
Phone: 202-789-0900
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