Jewish Astronaut Jessica Meir Posted Photos Of Israel That She Took From Space
(JTA) — Jewish astronaut Jessica Meir posted photos of Israel that she took from space.
“My father’s globe spanning journey as a surgeon from the Middle East, to Europe, and eventually to the U.S. was an inspiration to many in my immediate and extended family. #TheJourney,” Meir tweeted on Friday.
My father’s globe spanning journey as a surgeon from the Middle East, to Europe, and eventually to the U.S. was an inspiration to many in my immediate and extended family. #TheJourney pic.twitter.com/wBN1Iz7O5O
— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) November 1, 2019
In late September, Meir joined the crew of the International Space Station. Two weeks ago Meir participated in the first all-female spacewalk.
Meir’s late father was born in Iraq but immigrated with his family to prestate Israel as a young child, later fighting in the country’s War of Independence in 1948. He went on to become a doctor and take a job in Sweden, where he met Meir’s mother. The couple moved to Maine when Meir’s father was offered a job there.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin responded in a tweet.
“Dear Jessica, that you for taking us with you on your space voyage. We are proud of you and send warm regards from Israel,” he tweeted.
Meir brought an Israeli flag to the space station as one of her allowed personal items.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO