Monday, June 25, 2012
Mon, 25 Jun 2012
Rachel Devamithran, a rising third-year law student at Liberty University School of Law, met Israeli President Shimon Peres during the Israeli Presidential Conference held in Israel.
Devamithran is one of three Liberty law externs who stayed in Israel at the conclusion of the law school’s first Israel study and tour program. Her externship at NGO Monitor (Non-Governmental Organization) is based in the western part of Jerusalem, a five-minute walk from the Jewish Agency.
While at the conference, Devamithran pursued a photo opportunity with President Perez as he went to various sessions at the conference.
Devamithran recounts the experience:
Before I knew it, he was standing directly to my right. I touched his arm and asked, “Can I get a picture with you?” He smiled and said, “Sure.” He gently asked everyone to move out of the way for the photo and the security guard took pictures. Then another woman walked in with her camera and requested more pictures.
When all was said and done, Devamithran’s camera was returned to her and the guard told her, "I took five pictures. I admired your perseverance so I took a lot. I'm glad you were able to achieve your goal."
Devamithran credits Rivka Kidron, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for her instrumental role in arranging her externship with the NGO Monitor. “Ms. Kidron is professionally warm. She will go out of her way to make your Israeli experience not only very nice but also memorable. She makes you feel like you have known her for forever,” added Rachel.
“The launch of our Israel study and tour program along with our externship program in Israel is a huge success. Following the study and tour program in May, three students continued in Israel to gain experience in three different externship opportunities. They are having a very rare experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives,” said Mat Staver, Dean and Professor of Law at Liberty University School of Law.