New Rio governor includes shofar call in inauguration

Staffers for pro-Israel politician Wilson Witzel say traditional ram’s horn call will bring ‘good vibes and positive energies’ to Brazil’s new government

RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) — The non-Jewish governor of a Brazilian state was inaugurated with the sounds of a shofar blown by a rabbi.

The shofar “represent(s) the call for freedom, to bring good vibes and positive energies to the new government,” according to organizers of the inauguration in the state of Rio De Janeiro.

Wilson Witzel, a non-Jewish ardent supporter of Israel, took office surrounded by several members of the local Jewish community at a ceremony held Wednesday in Rio’s Legislative Assembly.

On Sunday, Witzel and his wife escorted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to the Sugarloaf Mountain as part of his five-day visit to Brazil, the first-ever by a sitting Israeli prime minister.

“One of the most touching moments during my campaign was when I heard the shofar at the Beit Lubavitch synagogue. It gave me the strength I needed to carry on,” Witzel told reporters.

Recebi o primeiro ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu e o acompanhei em uma visita ao Pão de Açúcar. Comigo estiveram ainda meu vice, Cláudio Castro e os futuros secretários de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Geração de Renda, Lucas Tristão e de Turismo, Otávio Leite. pic.twitter.com/5Ieqn1nBP2

— Wilson Witzel (@wilsonwitzel) December 30, 2018

Witzel, 50, is a right-wing politician who is affiliated with the Social Christian Party. Elected in October for a four-year term, he has pledged to fight against corruption and to clean up politics, language that is aligned with President Bolsonaro, his political godfather.

Last month, Witzel spent a week in Israel to learn anti-terror techniques than can be deployed against urban violence in his home state.

“We have very similar situations. Our policemen will come to Israel to get familiar with the patrolling techniques in conflict areas, checkpoints and borders,” he said.