"Among the thousands of mourners who came to Beit HaNasi during the shiva, the schoolchildren moved us especially. They came, class by class, in their school shirts in case any of them got lost in the crowd. And, at the head of the group, the teacher. Some lessons are learnt outside the classroom, without a blackboard and chalk. Often, they are lessons in generosity, compassion and partnership. These are the lessons that the students and teachers of Israel taught me, even during the shiva, and for this I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family and I are still in the first, difficult stage of grief, but the waves of love that flow from you to us strengthen us enormously."

President Rivlin on the upcoming elections:

"I am afraid of attempts at polarization, incitement and division. Teach them how to join, not how to separate. Teach them that the clenched fist hides an open hand and fingers that can reach out to the other."

President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin spoke this evening, Thursday 13 June / 10 Sivan, at the National Teachers' Conference and congratulated the winners of the National Teachers’ Awards. Certificates of excellence and prizes were awarded to six teachers from around the country for their work, dedication and innovative ways of educating children and young people. The National Teachers’ Award was awarded for the 11th year with the goal of raising the profile of Israel’s teachers. 

The president began by thanking the many visits he received from students throughout the country during the shiva mourning for his wife Nechama: "This the first public event I am attending after the days of mourning, and this event is especially moving for me - a ceremony that celebrates the educators of our children, those who shape our future generations. Among the thousands of mourners who came to Beit HaNasi during the shiva, it was the schoolchildren who moved us especially. They came, class by class, in their school shirts in case any of them got lost in the crowd. And, at the head of the group, the teacher. Some lessons are learnt outside the classroom, without a blackboard and chalk. Often, they are lessons in generosity, compassion and partnership. These are the lessons that the students and teachers of Israel taught me, even during the shiva, and for this I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family and I are still in the first, difficult stage of grief, but the waves of love that flow from you to us strengthen us enormously."

The president added: “Dear teachers, education is changing according to the spirit of the times. And this year I want to call on you and the other teachers of Israel to teach one more class. A class in partnership. Our society is blessed with diversity, across our tribes. There are Arab teachers, and there are ultra-Orthodox teachers, there are religious teachers, and there are secular teachers, teachers in the periphery and in the city, in the north and in the south. Each brings his and her own spirit, a spirit of learning and growth and creativity, a spirit of education and mentoring. Let us create the possibility that different tribes will learn together. Not all the time, but from time to time. You teachers will teach them that diversity and difference are a strength, not a weakness. You can instill in them the values of unity, of mutual respect, of freedom of thought and diversity of identities."

Speaking about the upcoming election campaign, the president said, "Unfortunately, we have another election campaign, and I am very afraid of the discourse that characterises the political arena today. I am afraid of attempts at polarization, incitement and division. Teach them how to join, not how to separate. Teach them that the clenched fist hides an open hand and fingers that can reach out to the other."

The President congratulated the outstanding people, thanked them for their hard and important work and said that the entire nation is proud and grateful for what they do.