First Ladies Laura Bush and Aliza Olmert visit 'Hand in Hand', the bilingual elementary Jewish-Arab School founded by Mandel graduate Lee Gordon


The First Lady of the US, Laura Bush, toured Jerusalem on Wednesday accompanied by Aliza Olmert. The two ladies visited the bilingual Hand in Hand elementary school,  founded by Mandel graduate Lee Gordon, and headed by principal Dalya Peretz, also a Mandel graduate.

                                                   Olmert and Bush visit Hand in Hand School. (Photo: Reuters)


Upon their arrival at the elementary school, Olmert and Bush were greeted by the kindergarten children, who sang songs in both Hebrew and Arabic in honor of the visit.
 
Prior to their arrival the children were asked whether they knew who was scheduled to visit their school, and they answered, "The US president's wife, Laura Bush, and Dalia Itzik, Ehud Olmert's wife."
 
The children also sang 'Shir Lashalom' (Song for Peace), and gave the first lady a picture they had made. Bush thanked them warmly. Afterwards they met with second and fifth grade students of the school, who performed a dance to Hebrew and Arabic music.