Argentina president adopts Jewish boy, saving him from turning into werewolf
Local Argentina legend holds that seventh son in boy-only family is destined to turn into mystical creature, but strange Argentinean law saves boys from gruesome faith through presidential adoption.
Argentinean President Cristina Kirchner has reportedly adopted Iair Tawil, a 21-year-old Jewish man, as her godson to save him from a horrible curse that would, according to local legend, cause him to turn into a werewolf.
According to the Huffington Post, the local legend says that the seventh son born after six male children will turn into a mythical creature. The legend was once so widely accepted that local families would often give up their seventh sons or even have them killed.
Tenía razón. Me trajeron de regalo un candelabro de Israel. Me pidieron que encendiera las velas… pic.twitter.com/DVWewmZera
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) דצמבר 23, 2014
Thus, in the 20s, the South American country legislated a law which offered state protection and even a scholarship for the doomed kids. Though initially only open for Catholics, in 2009 the law was extended to Jews as well.
And that's how Iair ended up being the first Jew to be adopted as part of the strange custom.
Yo no lo sabía, pero su visita coincidía con la celebración de Hanukkah. El papá, decía que no era una casualidad… pic.twitter.com/o3y5E17Gew
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) דצמבר 23, 2014
Y a Iair, que hiciera el rezo. Un momento muy especial. Después me dijeron que tenía que apagarlas y pedir un deseo… pic.twitter.com/31ThMLjULn
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) דצמבר 23, 2014
"It was magical to receive Iair Tawil, the first presidential godson in national history to profess the Jewish faith. Iair, 21, is completely sweet," the president tweeted, attaching a picture of herself lighting Hanukah candles with the Tawil family.
"His family, marvelous. His mother Reina Ester. His father, Salomón, a rabbi. His brothers: Rafael, Eliel, Eitan. I didn’t know, but his visit coincided with the celebration of Hanukkah. His father said it was no coincidence. He was right. They brought me the gift of a menorah… They asked me to light the candles, and for Iair to say the prayer. A very special moment," she Tweeted.
