Nechama Rivlin's moving gift to Melania Trump and the First Son
The two first ladies met in Jerusalem during US President Donald Trump's official visit to Israel, and it was there that Nechama surprised Melania with a special gift intended for Trump's son Barron.
By JOY BERNARDUpdated: MAY 24, 2017 19:27US first lady Melania Trump (L) holds the hand of Nechama Reuven, wife of Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, as they walk near American flags at Rivlin's residence in Jerusalem May 22, 2017(photo credit: REUTERS)US First Lady Melania Trump was the recipient of one very moving gift dedicated to her 11-year-old son Barron by none other than Israel's First Lady, Nechama Rivlin (wife of President Reuven Rivlin) during the former's stay in Israel.Melania accompanied her husband, US President Donald Trump, on his maiden tour abroad as sitting president. Israel was the second stop on the president's journey, and the pair paid visits to sites such as the Western Wall, Holocaust museum Yad Vashem and the Church of the Holy Sepluchre in the Old City of Jerusalem.Trump and his wife also spent an afternoon visit at the President's Residence in the capital on Monday, where Nechama surprised Melania with the touching present: a book about a mother-son relationship meant for the First Lady to enjoy alongside her son, Trump's fifth and youngest child.The book, titled "Hug," and given to Melania in copies in three languages (English, Hebrew and Arabic) was written by world-renowned Israeli author David Grossman. Grossman, a Man Booker Prize nominee, is mostly known for his adult literature, and has penned significant oeuvres that were translated into 30 languages such as "Some to Run With," "Be My Knife," and "To the End of the Land.""The Hug," a children's book written Israeli novelist David Grossman and given to First Lady Melania Trump by Israel's First Lady Nechama Rivlin. "Hug" tells the story of a mother and a son who go on a walk. The child, named Ben, expresses his concern that he is alone in the world because he is "special." His mother reassures him that despite his being one of a kind, he will never be truly alone.President Trump Gives Remarks at the Israel MuseumNechama Rivlin appears to have picked the present carefully, as its plot seems to be a nod at the struggles Trump's only child may possibly be facing as his family is at the center of public attention, making the First Son a very special boy indeed.Melania reportedly reacted to the present emotionally, and understood immediately that the novel was intended for her and Barron.Taking to social media immediately following the visit, Nechama Rivlin explained in a Facebook post why she chose to gift Melania with the unique present. "It was important for me to give Barron, who remained at home and is only 11 years old, a souvenir from his parents' visit to Israel."
"Melania was very moved, and immediately understood, even before reading its contents, that this was a story about a mother and a child," Israel's First Lady continued. "I very much hope Barron will like the book as much as I do."