Israel’s president visits White House; Biden kneels before mother of 12

Biden also met with President Rivlin’s daughter, telling reporters he spoke with the Rivlins about their family.

Ravitz’s religious observance has led to some unusual changes in political protocol. She wears modest clothing and covers her hair with a wig. ^{She does not fraternize with male colleagues or participate in “staff-consolidation days”, and refrains from shaking hands when greeting men, in keeping with halakha. During Rivlin’s 2015 visit to the Vatican, a photograph showing Pope Francis bowing to Ravitz while she remained erect led to media reports that the Haredi woman had refused to bow in greeting because Francis was wearing a cross. The pope even apologized for the cross and was quick to hide it.}

“I’m so delighted his daughter is here. She’s in the back right there. And I got to — I got to meet her and talk about our kids and grandkids and all the like.”