Rabbi who gave benediction at Trump's inauguration: 'IDF soldiers are the real heroes'

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman told Ynet about his son, who has served more than 250 days in the IDF reserves, revealed how Trump responded to his blessing, and expressed optimism about the new administration's attitude toward Israel and the fight against antisemitism

Sharon Kidron|
The U.S. and most of the world took interest in the inauguration of President Donald Trump into office earlier this week. While many guests attended the event, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman also delivered a benediction during the ceremony, congratulating the incoming president and praying in the name of the local Jewish community.
Speaking to Ynet, he recalled his emotion at the ceremony. “I was honored and humbled to represent the Jewish people and our community, adding my words of bracha (blessing) and leading the United States of America in prayer.”
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman in an interview to ynet news
(Video: Yaron Brener)
Berman, the president of Yeshiva University, was the first Israeli in history to be part of this ceremony and he has a son who has been serving in the IDF as a reservist since October 7.
“Three of my sons are yeshiva alumni who've been in the IDF. My daughter did Sherut Leumi (national civic service) for two years. One of my sons is a Givati Brigade reservist, he was called up on October 7 and he's been fighting now for over 250 days, so he's certainly been at the forefront of our minds.”
When asked whether Trump responded to his request to thank him following the release of three Israeli hostages on Sunday, he said: “Yeah, the president was very pleased after my benediction. I actually had a couple of chances to speak with him and he was very complimentary and I was very happy how it was received by everyone on that stage and afterwards the response of the participants.”
“It's very important that Israelis know and that Jews throughout the world understand that people respect Jews and Judaism and there's a lot of people who love Israel and they are excited when somebody stands up and speaks proudly about Israel,” he added.
Berman stressed that the incoming administration has a strong stand and connection to Israel. “The president himself, but not only the president. I had a chance to speak with many members of his cabinet over the past couple of days. The support that Israel has, the understanding of the needs of Israel, of Israel's security, it's very strong and should be a cause for great strength and partnership in the future.”
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הרב ארי ברמן בהשבעת טראמפ
הרב ארי ברמן בהשבעת טראמפ
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman
(Photo: Reuters)
When asked whether he expected the new government to crack down on antisemitism throughout the U.S., he said, “Absolutely. That's why I mentioned it in my remarks, I referenced the college campuses and how campuses need to both teach knowledge with wisdom and truth with virtue. That education is about understanding and growth and progress and it's also about character and moral values and moral clarity.”
“This administration certainly understands that and has already made strides to showcase and broadcast to all the universities that the kind of antisemitism that we have seen on college campuses across the country since October 7 will not be tolerated and there will be consequences. So I am optimistic that there will be changes across the country about this.”
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Berman also commented on Elon Musk, Trump’s confidant, whose hand gesture following the inauguration caused uproar online after some users claimed it to be a Nazi salute. “I think that's ridiculous. Elon Musk was not doing a Nazi salute. It's such a crazy story to even discuss. I spoke with Elon a couple of times. He's someone who is a really strong asset to the Trump administration and the changes he's going to do in America,” Berman said.
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אילון מאסק חגיגות אחרי טקס ההשבעה של דונלד טראמפ
אילון מאסק חגיגות אחרי טקס ההשבעה של דונלד טראמפ
Elon Musk's hand gesture
(PHoto: REUTERS/Mike Segar)
“I'll tell you one other story that would be interesting. I've never mentioned the story yet, but at the end of the event I was speaking with Jeff Bezos and I was telling him that my reservist son was a Hebrew University graduate in computer science last year and he was looking for a position in Israel.”
“Jeff was talking about how proud he was about what Amazon was doing in Israel,” he added. “I thought that was great. That's amazing. Now I just need to get a recommendation.”
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