50,000 Tulip Bulbs From Holland Donated To Jerusalem

50,000 TULIP BULBS FROM HOLLAND DONATED TO JERUSALEM
 
Outgoing Mayor of Jerusalem Addresses Audience
 
BY: FERN SIDMAN
 
The holy city of Jerusalem was the recipient of a most magnanimous donation of 50,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands on Wednesday, November 12th, as representatives of the Dutch chapter of Christians For Israel made their presentation at the Hineni Center in Zion Square. Benjamin Phillips, director of Hineni in Jerusalem (the Torah outreach organization founded by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis) was asked by the municipality of Jerusalem to host this special event at the center in honor of the longstanding friendship between Christian Zionists from Holland and the State of Israel.
 
Mr. Phillips, who is of Dutch descent, opened the ceremonies by extending heartfelt thanks to the Netherlands contingent of Christians For Israel for the "donation of the tulip bulbs for the beautification of Jerusalem" and introduced the Chairman of the Board of Christians For Israel in Holland, Dick Schutte. In his remarks, Mr. Schutte told the audience that the giving of tulips are a sign of friendship and encouragement in Holland, and spoke of the "unbreakable bond" of friendship that exists between Christians who support Israel and the Jewish people. "As Christians, we know that the Bible tells us that whoever blesses the Jewish people shall be blessed and as such we are cognizant of the fact that the Jewish nation is indeed G-d's chosen people, so it is our honor and privilege to donate these tulip bulbs to Jerusalem," said Mr. Schutte.
 
Also addressing those gathered at the Hineni Center was Secretary of the Board of Christians For Israel, Henrietta Heuvelman who said, "each year we donate tulip bulbs to Jerusalem, but this year, in addition to monetary contributions, we are donating an extra 10,000 tulip bulbs with the name of each donor written on the bag of bulbs". Ms. Heuvelman shared her organization's sentiments by saying, "we believe that Jerusalem is the holy city in which righteousness shall spread over the earth. It is the City of David, the place in which the Jewish nation will greet their Messiah and we must call upon G-d in our prayers to fulfill His promise of establishing Jerusalem as His kingdom."
 
The featured speaker of the day was outgoing mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lopianski who also expressed gratitude and appreciation to CFI on behalf of the city of Jerusalem. "We are most thankful to our dear friends in the Netherlands for their stalwart support and friendship and the city of Jerusalem is most appreciative of your tulip bulb donation", said Mayor Lopianski. He presented Mr. Schutte and Ms. Heuvelman with gifts as well; pictorial books on Jerusalem and an open invitation to the city.
 
Waxing sentimental at the end of his term as mayor of Jerusalem, Lopianski recalled, "I clearly remember that I began my term as mayor at the opening dedication of the Hineni Center and now I am back here at the end of my term for another special dedication." Expressing his thoughts on Rebbetzin Jungreis, Mayor Lopianski said, "I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Rebbetzin Jungreis and all that she has done to help the people of Jerusalem. Her Hineni Center operates a soup kitchen and provides classes and services to anyone in Jerusalem who is in need and for that we will always remain eternally indebted to her."