President Zalman Shazar will visit the United States on behalf of the Israel Bond Organization shortly after he leaves office May 24, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned today from reliable sources. His successor, Israel’s fourth President, is Prof. Ephraim Katzir who will take the oath of office on May 24.
Shazar, who will be 84 next Oct., took office on May 21, 1963 and after 10 years as a public figure may find retirement difficult, sources close to the President said. He is known to be considering offers from various organizations and institutions to serve as their honorary president. The government has reportedly rented an IL 2500 per month flat for President and Mrs. Shazar in the Talbieh quarter of Jerusalem where they will move after leaving the official Presidential residence. He will also have a government-supplied car, chauffeur and secretarial staff at his disposal.
On Saturday night, Shazar was presented with a jubilee book of Biblical research honoring him on his retirement and highlighting his career as President and outstanding Judaica scholar. The presentation was made at his weekly Bible study circle which was attended by 200 delegates to the first International Bible Congress. The 770-page volume containing 44 articles is titled “Zer Ligvurot” (A Garland for Years of Strength) and was produced by the World Bible Society and the Dropsie University of Philadelphia.
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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.
