Mesić. Wants his grandson to study in Israel
Photo: AP
Croatian president's Jewish connection
Leader reveals during Israel visit that his Christian grandson speaks Hebrew, and for a good reason
The Croatian president's Israeli hosts were in for a surprise during his recent visit to the Jewish state. As Stjepan Mesić and his entourage toured the Technion in Haifa, the Croatian leader turned to Senior Executive Vice President Prof. Paul Feigin and asked him, "Do you have any students from abroad here?"
Feigin said yes, adding that the Technion has an international engineering school which attracts students from all around the world. "In that case," Mesić announced, "I would be glad to see my grandson, who speaks Hebrew, come here to study one day."
The Croatian president told his surprised hosts that his 12-year-old grandson, Toma Mesić-Obranovich, attends a Jewish school in Zagreb called "Lauder-Hugo Kon".
The revelation that the Mesić's grandson studies in a Jewish school is particularly surprising in light of the fact that the Croatian president and his family are not Jewish.
"Toma is an excellent student. He speaks Hebrew very well, but not fluently," the child's teacher, Silvia Chaim, told the Yedioth Ahronoth daily. "He especially enjoys Jewish history lessons."
'They simply like the Jewish culture'
The teacher said the president's family knows of Jewish roots dating back to the 16th century, but that today all the family members are Christian. However, Toma's mother, the president's daughter, is very involved in the Jewish community's life and heads the school's parents committee.
"Toma's parents are active in events we hold ahead of the Jewish holidays," Chaim added.
The most intriguing question is why the Croatian president's Christian grandson was sent to a Jewish institute of all places. "They simply like the Jewish culture," the teacher explained. However, it's safe to assume that the fact that the school is a private and prestigious institution was also a significant consideration.
According to the "Lauder-Hugo Kon" website, the children study in classrooms with no more than 10 students, get organic and kosher meals and enjoy classes of high quality, such as yoga, drama and art.
Regardless of the fact that his grandson receives Jewish education, the Croatian president is known for his warm attitude towards Israel. Apart from the Macedonian president, Mesić was the only head of state to accept President Shimon Peres' invitation and attend the 2009 Israeli Presidential Conference.
Benjamin Tovias contributed to this report
