A short but impressive service at the side of Chaim Weizmann’s grave today marked the end of Shiva, the traditional seven days of mourning after death.
Present at the grave were Mrs. Weizmann and members of the Weizmann family, except his son Benjamin who was confined to bed by illness. Premier David Ben Gurion, Acting President Joseph Sprinzak, Army Chief of Staff Yigal Yadin, Jewish Agency co-chairman Dr. Nahum Goldmann and Berl Locker and many members of the government, Parliament and the Jewish institutions participated in the services which began at 10 A.M.
After the services, Premier Ben Gurion spoke but one sentence: ” This graveside will remain eternally a national shrine.” Every morning for the remainder of the 30-day national period of mourning the public will be allowed to visit the grave.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.