Jonathan Pollard Plants a Vineyard for Esther: A Love That Brought Him Home
In a poignant ceremony on Tu B'Av, the Jewish day of love, Jonathan Pollard knelt in the soft desert sand of the Negev and planted a vineyard in memory of his late wife, Esther. The act, performed along the border fence separating Israel from the Egyptian Sinai, was a testament to a love that defied prison walls, cancer, and time itself. Joined by his new wife, Rivka, and a small group of family and friends, Pollard transformed grief into a living tribute—a vineyard that will bear fruit and honor Esther's unwavering devotion to bringing him home to Israel.
A Love Born in Jerusalem
Jonathan and Esther Pollard first met in Jerusalem when he was 15, attending a summer program at the Weizmann Institute. They drifted apart, married others, and divorced, but remained friends. When Jonathan was arrested for espionage, Esther, then working for the Justice Ministry's Human Rights Division, immediately wanted to help but was advised against it due to her government position. Thirteen years into his imprisonment, they married in an unauthorized ceremony in the prison yard at Butner, North Carolina—a rabbi smuggled in wine, a witness, and a miniature ketubah. Jonathan knew Esther had metastatic breast cancer, but he wanted to be her champion, just as she had been his.
Esther's Unyielding Fight
Esther Pollard became a voice for Jonathan when the world grew silent. She stood before governments and officials, refusing to abandon him. Adam Scott Bellos, CEO of the Israel Innovation Fund and a close friend, said at the dedication: 'Her message was simple: Jonathan cannot be abandoned. He must be freed. He must be brought home to Israel. She kept one flame alive through years when darkness appeared stronger than hope.' Jonathan recalled her diagnosis: 'When she died, it was like all the lights going off in my life. She was my rock.' Despite doctors giving her six weeks to live, Esther fought for eight more years, aided by a new therapy and the intervention of then-US ambassador Ron Dermer, who secured financial support when the Israeli government initially refused.
Planting Roots in the Negev
The vineyard, part of the Ramat Negev Winery's 'plant a vineyard' initiative, allows donors to dedicate a dunam of land in the Negev or Shomron. Yogev Zadok, the winery's main vintner, explained that the family-run desert winery, founded in 1997, crafts lighter, mineral-driven wines through careful irrigation and minimal spraying. Bellos noted that the Israel Innovation Fund aims to reboot the Zionist movement, connecting the Diaspora to Israel in a relevant way. 'It's profoundly fitting that we're here together on Tu B'Av to dedicate a vineyard in Esther's memory,' he said. 'Her love became the road that Jonathan would take to come home.'
A Vision of Redemption
Jonathan recalled Esther's prophetic words during her final days. Carried up a mountain in the North, she looked toward Lebanon and Syria and said: 'If you look with your heart and soul as far as you can to the north, what you will see is Eretz Hatzvi. This is when the complete redemption will come. You're going to be confronted with a very horrible war. It will be a war for the Jewish identity of our country.' She added, 'I won't be here to see it, but you will.' Jonathan, now free, believes her vision endures. 'On the day we buried her, I thought, now that she is in the earth, I will see her everywhere. In trees, flowers, and anything beautiful. Now we have the opportunity to actually taste the fruit of her essence.'
FAQ: Jonathan Pollard and Esther's Legacy
What is the significance of the vineyard planting?
The vineyard, planted on Tu B'Av, honors Esther Pollard's lifelong devotion to bringing Jonathan home to Israel. It symbolizes her love taking root in the sacred soil of Eretz Yisrael, with every vine bearing witness to her courage.
How did Esther Pollard advocate for Jonathan's release?
Esther stood before governments and officials, refusing to let Jonathan be forgotten. She used her position and voice to demand his freedom, even as she battled cancer, and her efforts were instrumental in his eventual return to Israel.
What is the Israel Innovation Fund's mission?
The Israel Innovation Fund aims to reboot the Zionist movement by connecting the Diaspora to Israel through modern, relevant initiatives. The 'plant a vineyard' program allows donors to dedicate land in the Negev or Shomron, fostering national pride and agricultural innovation.