Israel’s Minister of Science, Technology and Space Ofir Akunis wanted a Mitzvah done before he headed to Washington, DC, for a round of important meetings with U.S. officials.
Minister Akunis was accompanying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United Nations General Assembly this week during which Israel was once again on the defensive, despite being a target for terror.
In New York, Akunis met Crown Heights community activist Yaacov Behrman and exchanged opinions about American support for Israel and fighting the BDS movement.
The meeting was arranged by Rabbi Levi Matusof from Paris who is active in the European Union. Matusof was in New York this week but had to head back home before Shabbos.
Having the custom to help Akunis put on Tefilin, he asked Behrman to follow up.
“I wanted to wrap Teffilin before continuing my journey to Washington for important meetings on behalf of Israel, since it empowers him and brings blessing,” the minister commented.
