At Chabad of Nashville the colorful moon bounce had been ordered and delivered all ready for the children to play. The delicious burgers were prepared, the watermelons cut, and the potato salad dressed for the grand barbecue. The manager of the Oppenheimer estate had kindly set up the grills and cut wood for the bonfire …and then along came the rain and the storms.
After two days of floods and storms, of rivers and creeks overflowing, people had to be rescued. Caring was shown as many went out to rent boats to help others. When homes and businesses were flooded, people who were neighbors for over twenty years, but who had never met, were suddenly introduced and brought together.
“Lag B?Omer is a day meant to unify us as a community,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel , Director of Chabad of Nashville. “Though the weather turned and pounded the city with a record breaking 13.5 inches of rain, we were still unified in a way which we could never have imagined.”
From those who were stranded, a few hundred gathered together at the GJCC which began serving as an official Red Cross Shelter.
Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther Tiechtel, Lou and Lee Becker and other friends of Chabad of Nashville took food which was to be used for the Lag B?Omer celebration -and brought it to feed many displaced people.
There they joined many Jewish volunteers, hearts overflowing with Chesed. The people who had spent the night there on cots slowly came into the auditorium. They looked lost and still in shock over the enormity of their loss.
There were families who came in with children in tow, shyly taking the food.
As Rabbi Tiechtel went from table to table and spoke to the many displaced families, he spoke to a fellow by the name of Larry from Bellevue, the area that was hardest hit by the storm.
After a few minutes of listening, Larry said, ?What a different feeling it is to be on the other end. I’m usually the one giving. I feel humbled. I was not at home when the flooding began. I was away at a Scout camp. My wife is still at our house without power. It might take another two days to get her out. You have no idea how much this means to me to know that you are talking with us, caring about us.?
One lady celebrated her birthday at one of the tables. She said, “I?m thankful that I was at home yesterday – with my elderly mother ?in -law- when the water came up to her chest – I am thankful to God that I, my husband and my mother in-law were able to come to JCC We are touched that you and your wife are here helping and listening.?
Her mother-in law, an optimistic, brave 90 year old woman sitting in her wheelchair pulled up close. “Today, a young girl, Gal Crouvi, she cheered me up.? She took out a little card and said. ?She made me this.? The card read: we care about you.
The young Chabad Shluchim, Bassie, Levi, and Chana Tiechtel, made personalized cards of love and caring, and went from family to family to share warmth and comfort with adults and children alike. One woman was so touched by the card she received from Chana Tiechtel that she started crying and gave her a big hug, and said that this card is so meaningful to her, she will read it over and over, as it had a message of hope.
Other people who had been left with only the clothes on their back, wandered around the tables piled high with toiletries and fresh towels.
The American Red Cross commented that they had never seen such a sense of community, caring, and overwhelming support. The staff at the JCC gave extra hours to care for those in need and Chabad of Nashville is providing Kosher meals, counseling and emotional support for victims of this crisis.
Truly one can say ?Mi K?Amcha Yisrael-Who is like your people Israel.
Kol HaKovod
it is totely geshmak whot u do i was chaleshing to see how many peapel u helped
hey tiechtels nice .
ttyl
this is a way to bring moshiach
chana! nice to see u.
When Shluchim give of themselves to the community they create a true Kiddush Hashem. It is also inspiring to see the children so involved and doing acts of chesed
hey guys!!! go chana! and levi! and everyone else! missin u…love u lots!!! 🙂
What Special Shluchim, Hope you see many Brachos after the storm!
hey bassie! keep up the gr8 work!
luv, your cuz
Yitzchok and Esther, what a beautiful kiddush hashem!! May you go from strength to strength!
my question is: how did you get to the jcc with all the flooded roads???
Yitzchok and Esther, You are true shining examples of the Rebbe’s care and love for every person. There is no doubt that your actions served as a great Kiddush Hashem and are a great source of Nachas to the Rebbe.
We are so happy you are all safe and sound!
A fan from the Heart of America
crazzzzzzzzzy