An Award and a Torah: Symbols of friendship between Rwanda and Israel

 

On May 21st, in New York City, the 5th Annual Champions of Jewish values Award Gala bestowed upon President Paul Kagame the Dr. Miriam & Sheldon Adelson award for Outsdanding Friendship with the Jewish People.

This event is organized by the World Values Network, and is headed by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.  This year’s celebration included a tribute to Elie Wiesel.

To complement the President’s award, the organization also dedicated a Torah scroll to the people of Rwanda during its annual gala. According to the Jerusalem Post, the scroll will be displayed in the Jewish center in Kigali, which is set to be opened in the near future.

In his acceptance speech, President Kagame said “For a Rwandan, friendship with the Jewish people is entirely natural. We share experiences which empower us to understand what justice and fairness mean.”

In his tribute to Elis Wiesel, President Kagame reiterated that his moral conscience that transcended his own experience. President Kagame qualified Elie Wiesel’s message as universal and timeless.

President Kagame ended his remarks with a renewed commitment to the protecting of Rwandans and others in need.