Aren't we all waiting, breaths held, for a Grand Finale, for
the curtain rising on a new era called The Era of Moshiach?
(Even if it be `disproportionate' to our merit . . . ) For
that time when, with hindsight, we will be able to smile and
nod knowingly, "Oz yimolei s'chok pinu . . . ".
Surely, someone will take the initiative to write a book
soon about the miracles that occurred in this current war,
and how Hashem was holding our hands all along, and guiding
those terrible rockets to their addresses. And if property
had to be damaged in the Divine plan, at least there was a
minimum of lives claimed.
There will be many happy stories to relate then. Let these
be included in the chronicle:
There is an organization headquartered in Beis Yisroel,
Jerusalem, called Mercaz Meida Yahadut, which coordinates
information on everything to do with Yiddishkeit and Kiruv:
shiurim throughout the country and speakers available
for them, Shabbos placement, kitchen kashering, school
registration and lots more (POB 5232, tel. 5811911). It is
run by a Mrs. Grossman, whose contact in Mattersdorf is
Rachel Kraus. At a phone call's notice, they can organize
brissim, bar mitzvas, help for distressed families,
food for soldiers on reserve duty (it was a Pesach when
there was a major callup two years back and Mehadrin food
was required . . . ) and so on.
Mrs. Kraus gets an SOS call from Mrs. Grossman to help
organize a bar mitzvah for a displaced family from Tzefas,
which is a ghost town these days. Not only does the mother
hardly know anyone in Jerusalem or what to do, she also has
a son in the hospital right now!
No problem. Mrs. Kraus is about to get busy on the phone,
when it preempts her.
Another Mrs. Grossman on the line (we have a few in the
neighborhood). Someone just gave her $180 to help a family
from the North. Shoin!
From Grossman to Grossman; a grois example of Divine
Providence.
*
And a bus story. Told to me on a bus by a reader.
"I got off the bus the other day together with another
woman, a stranger. I was about to continue on my way, when
she stopped me and said, very emotionally:
"`I am beside myself. I must tell you what just happened on
the bus before you got on. Someone stood up, he faced all
the passengers and announced: `There is a family from the
North which is looking for a place to stay. They are
desperate and are willing to pay $125 per week. Does anyone
know of anything?'
"`There were no takers. The man paused and then began again,
`There is a family here from the North, desperate for a
place to stay. Is there anyone willing to take them in for
free?'
"`And, believe it or not, quite a few hands went up!' "
*
And a clothing gemach story.
Beged Yad LeYad is traditionally closed for the Nine Days.
(We have our Rosh Chodesh sale before.) But due to the many
requests for clothing for our displaced brothers from the
North, who came as-is and had no changes for the Nine Days,
we opened up on Wednesday.
There were women from Tzefat, Acco and Haifa that I know of.
"Do we have any or know of any playpens?" one woman asked.
Good people had organized a huge compound in the Old City
for about 100 people including babies. I had just brought a
twin carriage, but playpens are a rarity.
"Why not get some exercise mattresses from community
centers?" I suggested. "Children and babies can sleep on the
floor and not roll off . . . "
On the spot, another women volunteered, "I know that the
Achinoam school in the Old City has a large amount of them.
I'll contact them for you." One big problem solved.
And then today, as coordinator of clothing donations, I get
a call from a volunteer organizing bedding for them. "The
families say they are cold at night. They must be suffering
from trauma, still, from the shelling and destruction. Can
you round up some winter blankets for them?"
And here, too, the next call on my phone is from a Sara,
liquidating her deceased mother's apartment. Sure, she can
supply several winter blankets, bedding and towels. All I
had to do was connect the two.
Maybe that's the message. Maybe we have to be connected, be
attuned to the needs of one another, to be there in their
need. As the novi says, "Is this the time to sit in
your homes, sefunim, ensconed and comfortable, when
this House is in ruins?"
If Hashem is, indeed, so Grois, we must stop being
petty and self-centered and be there for our brothers and
sisters.
Readers are welcome to FAX in their stories to Weinbach, 02-
5387998 or email to shyated@netvision.net.il
