On Wednesday, while picking up Chana Laya from school, my phone rang and it was Rabbi Zvi Gluck, a prominent Jewish activist and CEO of Amudim. “A Jewish man just punctured his lung while skiing in Big Sky and was en-route via helicopter to Bozeman Health” he said. I dropped the kids at home and arrived at the hospital just as the chopper landed. As David, my fellow Yid, was wheeled into the hospital, I greeted him, ensuring he knows that he’s not alone, and though he was slightly sedated, he smiled when he saw my face. I spent the next two hours with him until his wife and dad could make the drive down to be at his side.

In this week’s Torah portion, Yisro, we read about the giving of the Torah. Just before that monumental event, G-d tells us, “You will be unto Me a kingdom of nobles and a holy nation”. The one thing the antisemites get right is that we don’t operate like the rest of the world, we are a family that shows up in ways that others don’t. we aren’t just another band of people who unite under a chosen flag; we are a “kingdom of nobles”, we are connected at our core. The nurse attending to David was surprised that I didn’t know him from before and that I would just drop everything to be there with him and that me being there would bring him comfort. They don’t understand it. They can’t understand it. At Sinai G-d instilled within us an Arvus, guarantorship for each other, and despite our flaws, we do live up to that standard big time.

While at the hospital, Chaya texted me to ask for the man’s Hebrew name so that she could Daven for him and the next morning she baked homemade cookies for his wife and parents to enjoy while at his side. I am not writing seeking accolades for showing up, that’s what Jews do, but to share with you how much our community cares. Before the chopper even lifted off from Big Sky, David’s dad called his brother, who called Zvi, who called me and we were moving at the speed of light. While David dozed off, I faced east and prayed the afternoon Mincha prayer, before I finished, he opened his eyes and said, “thank you for praying in my room”.

We stood at Sinai as one; we remain one through thick and thin!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

Going above and beyond.

Sitting at my desk, tears rolling down my cheeks, watching the emotional moment when IDF soldiers discovered the body of Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza. With a deep sense of relief and with faithful singing of “Ani Maamin”, they cried and celebrated simultaneously, escorting Ran’s holy body back to his family, to his homeland, allowing them to bury him like Jew. NO ONE on earth cares about their people the way we do; breaking every boundary, overcoming every obstacle, to ensure that our people, alive or deceased, are treated with respect, dignity and love, never leaving one of our own behind, leaving them alone or feeling alone.

In this week’s Torah portion, B’Shalach, we read about how Moses, with the help of Asher’s stepdaughter Serach, found Joseph’s coffin beneath the Nile River and ensured that he’s brought along during the exodus to eventually be buried in Israel. Before his passing, Joseph asked that his body be exhumed and buried in Nablus, and Moses, along with the Jewish people, made that happen, ultimately coming to fruition during the days of Joshua. There were spiritual reasons for having Joseph alongside the Jews in the desert, but on a most basic level, we simply don’t leave our people behind. Even when things are difficult, even when the challenges are immense, even when logically we should “give up”, we show up for each other as would be expected of brothers and sisters.

With this idea on my mind I would like to express gratitude to two people who showed up for our children this week, going above and beyond: 1) Charna Rochel, Zeesy’s amazing counselor from Camp Simcha Special, who chose to utilize her winter break and surprise Zeesy for Shabbos, and, because of the storm in New York, stayed with us until Monday morning. It meant the world to Zeesy and to our entire family, and we are so grateful to her. 2) Zaidy Mick stepped up to take Menny to, and from, his soccer game in Belgrade, so that Chavie could focus on Chana Laya’s practice for her Lion King performance and so that I could give my Wednesday night class uninterrupted. We are a family and whether it’s a big need or a small need, we show up for each other to ensure we are never on our own.

We are something else!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!