By COLlive reporter
How can you help a good-hearted family whose entire life is about generosity, giving and helping others while they live in poverty and have suffered a tragedy?
Make over their crumbling home.
The Israeli version of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” reality television series has recently featured the house of Einav and Anat Vaspi, residents of the rural settlement Yesud HaMa’ala in Northern Israel.
Creators of the show, which provides home improvements for families that faced some sort of recent or ongoing hardship, were touched by the story of the Lubavitch couple and their 4 daughters.
Both baalei teshuva, the Vaspis suffered a devastating tragedy when their 1-year-old daughter Menucha Rochel drowned in an abandoned rubber boat that was filled with rain water two years ago.
“You can’t actually convey the feeling of losing a beloved child. The world stops,” the 43 year-old mother said on the program, which was broadcast this past Motzoei Shabbos on Israel’s Channel 10.
The family suffered an earlier tragedy when they were traveling and a bus lost control and hit their car. Their daughter Sheina was severely injured. The doctors needed to amputate her leg, leaving her wheelchair-bound.
And while they have been living in a decaying home and forsaken surroundings, the Vaspis are known for their constant kindness and hospitality. “Our activity gives us strength,” the couple said.
“Their home is open 24 hours a day,” said Naomi Tzimering, a mother of 11 children. When she needed to move and could not afford a down payment, the Vaspis provided her with installment checks.
Tzimering was one of the many friends and neighbors who came to help the contractors of “Extreme Makeover” with renovating the Vaspis’ home. “They don’t even have a lock on the front door,” the host Amos Tamam pointed out in amazement about the home that also serves as a kindergarden.
Friends noted how a warm meal is always offered to any in need. “Einav could call Anat at 3 p.m. and notify her that they will be having 30 guests for dinner,” one of them said. “And she will never say no.”
Seeking inspiration and understanding of the chassidic lifestyle, interior designers Michael Azulay and Gat Namir-Choter-Yishai traveled to the central Israeli village of Kfar Chabad where they toured the replica of 770 Eastern Parkway, Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY.
They learned about the idea of “bayis malei seforim,” that a Jewish home should be filled with holy books, and decided to paint the Vaspis’ home in a shade inspired by the red brick row “house of the Rebbe of Lubavitch.”
While they were working on building a kosher home – separate sinks for dairy and meat, a large display of seforim and photos of the Rebbe throughout – they sent the family on vacation in the Golan Heights.
When the Vaspis returned, after 5 days of hard labor on their house, they were welcomed by a crowd of cheering people and a colorful, modern brand new home and friendly garden which was named the “Joy of Life Park.”
“This family contributes to the community every day and this was our chance to give back to them with whole hearts,” said the host, thanking the many Israeli firms that donated appliances, tiles and lumber.
They even redid the “farbrengen corner,” the barbecue area where Einav holds a weekly chassidic inspirational gathering for men. A frequent guest there is the local Shliach Rabbi Yaakov Reices who came to affix a Mezuzah on the front door.
The mezuza was shaped as the middle column and entrance of the 770 building. “Shehecheyanu Vekiyimanu vahigiyanu,” the father blessed with a wide smile, and tears in his wife and children’s eyes.
im not a crying person but i guse now i am
The new house is beautiful
The family is beautiful
Whats the nicest thing part ? Watching so many brothers and sisters from all different backgrounds coming together and rejoicing as one. That made it all great
Good comes to those that give in caring and kindness, money is not the B all, sure it helps, but here is an example of a family and people who have wonderful souls. They are beautiful people, and to those that did the mitzvah of re-doing this home. May you always be blessed.
How fine that this program is now in Israel.
What an amazing transformation. What a beautiful family. Very touching. Yeshar kochachem.
Kol Hakavod. Just what I needed to see after Tish’a B’Av. Hope that B’nei Yisrael will come together in harmony for the coming of a Geula B’karov.
An inspiring example what caring, skill and determination can achieve,
Extreme Makeover does so much good right here in Israel, that it is a great pity they are going to stop producing this program. They should definitely continue. We love to see how many good people there are in Israel. Helen Boruchowitz
yeshuat hshem k heref ayin, very happy for the all family,hatzlach and contnue to do what you do.
We made Aliyah 2 years ago. My daughter wasn’t sitting and doing well in her new school. After half a year we switched her to this school. On the bus ride from Safed she felt sick from the curving roads coming down from Safed. She said Mommy I want to go home. I cannot do this bus ride ever again! I sat in their living room waiting deciding what to do while she tried it out. At the first break she said I love it here, I want to stay. The Vaspis give over their love of Torah, the teachers… Read more »
I agree with 81
A beautiful story, but it is SO insensitive to show the mother a photo of a child who is dead and have her stand with her pain in front of the camera! Busha!
The gift of the shiputz of course is amazing.
Beautiful
very very very beatiful!!!
AMAZING!!!!!!!!
i went to seminary in tzfat and someone suggested we go there they didn’t say no and we had a really nice time
its beautiful to see everyone contributing and appreciating them , such kidush Hashem for all those involved
They are so deserving of wining this makeover. May they continue to inspire, coach, and lead others to a Torah way of life. Hatzlacha Rabba to them. Kudos for the program for selecting these worthy recipients. Job well done.
Please put the story on the Hebrew site,along with the letter from the family. so everyone can help this fantastic family’s outreach and educational endeavors. -Menucha Rachel’s uncle David Benveniste HaLevy
gives us more good news like this COL, thank you, loved this article and pictures, these and all shluchim deserve this! Chaverim kol Yisroel!
There always come back good things from good actions.
that’s the beauty of the story – that a regular TV station got involved to help this particular family. Kol Hakavod for so many people from the various segments of society in Eretz Yisrael coming together. Kol Yisrael Chaverim in its true sense.
These are the sort of people that live by example and cause others to want to attain that sort of love and peace. May G-d’s countenance shine on them for being the sort that we should all hope to be. If only we had a Chabad family like that near us again, my husband and I would start going back to shul.
“secular/chareidi divide” I don’t understand.
can someone translate what the mother said about the accident of her baby? thank you
Thank Gd that this happened! Now they will be able to be even more hospitable to more people! What a thing of beauty and chesed!
It is so great to see such a GOOD story appear…with all the sadness in this world, it is a pleasure to see what has been done for this Chabad family. Wishes for years of happiness, and good health. Am Yisrael Chai
Would you want your private master bedroom shown to the entire world? I wouldn’t, no matter how beautiful.
It’s nice that they showed sensitivity to that.
Kol Hakavod to everyone involved, and to the directors of the TV show for getting over the secular/chareidi divide and prejudice. It really is a beautiful Kiddush Hashem!
Am Yisrael chai!
The Jewish People are truly a “mamlechet cohanim and goy kadosh”. This story makes me proud to be a Jew and an Israeli.
Both the Vaspi Family and all of the people and businesses that helped put this wonderful house together contribute so much good to this world! This needs to be shown all over Israel and the world as an example of what can be.
Beautiful
Absolutelyolutely beautiful, but shy didn’t they make the house larger, they had the land. They should hv shown the parents bedroom as well.
mi keamcha yisrael. We can all learn and improve.Expand our ani beyond ourselves
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful family. Harbei malei bracha, b’gashmiyut uberuchniyut
Amazing
To see the joy and love that everyone is displaying here is truly the way that all Jews really are on the “neshama ” level—differences clearly do not matter!!! It takes the inspiration and love of the Vaspai”s to bring it out in everyone else!!
They are true examples and schlucim of the Rebbe in this physical world. Despite all of their challenges, they understand that true joy comes from giving—and everyone in turn gives back!!
Moshiach now!!
for ur information non religious jews are the one who donate money for schoos, weddings and many other things. as far as I see and know the frum one are not that generous.
Utterly utterly beautiful!
TO ALL OUR DEAR FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD,THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR YOUR OUTPOURING OF LOVE FOR OUR FAMILY. TO THOSE OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK WITH THOSE IN NEED ,PLEASE DONATE TO :MOSHIACH GAN ISRAEL-P.O. BOX 324 , YESOD HAMAALA 12105
OR TO TRANSFER INTERNATIONALLY THROUGH A BANK ACCOUNT:
il770204870000000234939
mizbilit
A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT,IY”H.
beautiful! it brought tears to my eyes from the start to the finish
Amazing people! They truly deserved it, G-d bless the TV makeover for such big Mitzvah. Amen
Nice to see you rabbi Goldberg!!
this is such a kiddush Hashem and it just shows that we shud not be judging irreligious people because they can be very nice and do lots of chessed to others.
toda
incredible family!!!so humble, happy, devoted,giving,ready to do anything for anyone and always with the rebbe in mind!!!!
It is very beautiful when the donations go to people who need them, and not to institutions.
Mazal tov to the Vaspis!
They are an incredible family! So lovely and simchadik!
Can you put up a paypal account for them for all who are so
Inspired by this family to help them more
Knowing the family in person, there are so used to giving, which makes its hard for them to receive… all i can tell them is that the kidush hashem and the publicity will iy’h give them more strength to do more, M’Chaiyil el Chayil
Beautiful story
They are simply incredible people. Especially anat, so humble, modest so pure! I loved spending shabbos with them. their home had a special feel, just the way it was.
bh
amazing so special wow no words. They should be blessed with many happy healthy years in their beautiful home. Very special
just mazal, and blessings for this amazing family!!!
This is a taste of how every person will feel towards his neighbor with the times of Mashiach. We are here to help make another person’s life easier, to show appreciation for each other in material ways as well as emotional ways, to act through love without any ulterior motives. May Hashem bless the Vaspi family and their community with only good.
beautiful- they rlllly rlly deserve it
speechless – onlyblessings for this wonderful family!
BH
B”H
A number of years ago we booked him for a jeep ride, it was an unforgettable experience, davening mincha with the soldiers at an outpost overlooking the Golan Heights sunset is amazing.
Mi K’Mocha Am Yisroel?!
TO THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT TO THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE THANKS FOR RETURNING MY BELIEF IN THE GREATNESS OF THE NETZER MATAI … LEHISPAER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The house is beautiful now!!
they should do this for shuchim!
the design team did an unbelievable job
kol hakavod
I cried the whole way through!
amazing
We are so different than all nations ! BH
May we always show our love to our follow Yid !
I guessed that the quote was from Igrot Kodesh, but please fill in the details, anyone who knows
everyone was talking about what a special family they are. and how special Chabad is
this made my day!! So happy for them!!!
brought tears to my eyes
BH
What time is Cholent Shabbos after noon?
couldnt help crying
how special, that sincere love and fraternity
mi ke’amcha yisroel
loved this
… and I’m already crying! This is so touching!
I was there for shabbos! Really nice
wow amazing
i stayed here for shabbas:)
Really moving
We should do that to some people in our community.
This brought tears to me eyes.
There is no family that deserves this more than the wonderful Vaspis! How many thousands of people have been touched by their unlimited kindness?
this family should only know of good and happy things!
Wow, so amazing!!! Well deserved!
SUCH AN AMAZING INCREDIBLE FAMILY! im speechless!
bh spectacular it made me cry!!
aaz YESH EMUNAH!!!
B”H b”h, what a kiddush hashem and beautiful bracha for the vaspi family!
Watched the whole thing and cried all the way through… Such a beautiful family with tremendous unconditional love and care for their fellow Jew. Malachim hakdoshim.
KIDDUSH HASHEM!!
MOSHIACHNOW!!
YESH TIKVAH!!!!
Goooooo VASFI
What a beautiful story!
amazing, so happy for this family, BH!