In a dual-purpose ceremony held in Santo Domingo this week, the Embassy of Israel in the Dominican Republic formally inaugurated the start of Ambassador Oren Bar-El’s diplomatic posting, while also gathering guests to mark the arrival of the Jewish New Year 5787.
The event brought together a cross-section of key stakeholders, including senior Dominican government officials, fellow members of the international diplomatic corps, leading local and international business executives, prominent civil society figures, and representatives of national and regional media outlets.
Opening the formal remarks, Ilan Vulej, Consul and Deputy Head of Mission at the Israeli Embassy, took the opportunity to spotlight Bar-El’s decades-long, distinguished career within Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting the ambassador’s deep expertise in international diplomacy and bilateral cooperation. Vulej extended warm, sincere well wishes for a productive, impactful tenure during Bar-El’s time in the Caribbean nation.
In his first public address to local and diplomatic guests since arriving in the country, Bar-El expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Dominican people and government for the warm, enthusiastic welcome he has received since his arrival. He went on to underscore the deep, decades-long friendship that has defined ties between the State of Israel and the Dominican Republic, a partnership rooted in shared values and mutual respect.
Bar-El outlined the existing productive collaboration between the two countries across a range of high-priority sectors, from cutting-edge technological innovation and data-driven precision agriculture to sustainable water resource management. He also highlighted growing Israeli private investment in the Dominican Republic’s economy, which has created new jobs and expanded market opportunities for both nations.
Looking ahead to his tenure, the ambassador reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to deepening and expanding bilateral ties across all areas of mutual interest. He emphasized his goal of identifying and advancing new collaborative opportunities that will deliver tangible, shared benefits to the people of both Israel and the Dominican Republic.
Beyond the formal diplomatic proceedings, the ceremony integrated rich cultural and traditional elements of the Rosh Hashanah celebration. Renowned Israeli artist Sharon performed two beloved works: the iconic “Hallelujah” and “Morenika,” delivered in Ladino — the historic, endangered language of Sephardic Jewish communities that has preserved cultural heritage for centuries across the diaspora.
The gathering concluded with a time-honored Rosh Hashanah tradition: a ceremonial toast featuring apples dipped in honey, a centuries-old symbol that represents the collective wish for a sweet, healthy, and prosperous new year for all attendees and both nations.