Dr. Vera Weizmann, widow of Israel’s first President, was laid to rest today near her husband’s grave at the foothill of the Weizmann home in Rehovot.
In accordance with her final request, no eulogies were given. President Zalman Shazar and Premier Levi Eshkol headed the mourning group which followed the coffin from Memorial Square in Rehovot to the graveside. Some 2, 000 mourners took part in the procession. They included members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, army officers and a large group of family members.
An army chaplain recited a prayer extolling the virtues of women and recited E1 Mole Rachamim, a traditional prayer for the dead. A number of women soldiers provided a guard of honor. They and policemen and Red Mogan Dovid nurses placed wreaths on the grave. The mourners concluded the rites by singing Hatikvah.
The body was brought from London, where Mrs. Weizmann died last Saturday at the age of 87. The coffin was taken to Memorial Square. After candles were lighted, last night, the public began to file by the bier, paying last respects.
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.
