By COLlive reporter
On the eve of Purim Chabad Friends of Cuban Jewry (CFCJ) Director Rabbi Shimon Aisenbach, was urgently notified – via one of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s ambassadors to New Jersey – by the head of El-Al security representative at NY’s JFK airport, of a high level El- Al security agent falling ill in Havana.
He was on the island on a personal visit, he ultimately required urgent appendicitis surgery.
He noted the address of the hospital and inquired if CFCJ’s emissaries can seek him out and be of assistance to him.
The following morning, (Purim day) as Avi woke up from a nap, he found himself surrounded by three of CFCJ’s representatives; Rabbis Menachem Rosenblum, Dovid Harlig, and Meir Aisenbach.
Laden with a full kosher meal, (including warm soup!) and the traditional mishloach manos, together with the Megilah scroll. This was the last thing that Avi dreamt of in his ordeal, being stuck in a remote Havana hospital!
After providing him with this warm satisfying meal and not before sharing with him the Purim spirited Purim costume and gragger, Rabbi Menachem Rosenblum began with the reading of the Megillah. Within moments Avi (particularly as Hebrew is his mother tongue, appreciating the miraculous narrative of the Megilah) was totally swept into the full spirit of the holiday. The emissaries gave him the ability, in relative comfort and calm, to fulfill the four Mitzvot /precepts of the holiday, as if he was back home, in the Holy Land.
Before parting the emissaries pledged to maintain their contact with him and gave him their personal contacts in Havana and not before offering Avi with yet one more Mitzvah; the donning of Tefilin. It is needles to mention that Avi utilized the auspicious sprit to engage with this additional – grand – Mitzvah.
With emotions and tears the CFCJ emissaries left for their back-to-back important activities throughout the metropolitan Havana benefiting the Havana Jewish community. The day culminating with the grand Purim feast in the Hecheberia hall in the Vedado area of the capital, where the community came together to celebrate the final Purim festivities.
“Yet another quick peek in the fulfillment of the: “וְאַתֶּם תְּלֻקְּטוּ לְאַחַד אֶחָד בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל” = “and you shall be gathered one by one, O children of Israel” (Yeshayahu – Isaiah – Chapter 27: 12), noted Rabbi Aisenbach.
We know this Avi. Close friend of my son. רפואה שלמה, אבי. Fresh healing chicken soup will be waiting when you reach home.
Keep up the great work
There’s coke in Cuba… There’s even Heineken…
Your 30 years of Devotion to Cuba is an understanding thank you and thank you
Best bachur in lubavitch
Ashreinu MA tov chelkeinu!!such ahavas yisroel!moshiach now!!
Meir Aisenbach!
We love you!
Good job.
Go chaim mier!!
Kol hakavod
Amazing Job Dovid Harlig
Generations of Chassidisheh Pnimusdigeh Chassidim!
Wherever there’s Coke there’s Chabad but in Cuba there’s no Coke
your making the rebbe happy
Go mair your amazing
and wow again!
chabad of toronto