It was 2:30 on Friday morning and Nissan Pewzner, a Lubavitcher from Inverrary, Florida, searched frantically for an available flight from anywhere in the Washington D.C. area.
Pewzner had just attended the Living Legacy Conference honoring the Rebbe’s 120th birthday, organized by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) held in Washington. Now he was trying to get home in time for Shabbos, but his original flight had been repeatedly delayed and eventually canceled. He was getting short of options.
The airlines announced that all Miami airspace had been closed down due to inclement weather, still Nissan was determined to get home to his family and community. It took much searching and creativity, a trip to Baltimore Washington Airport and three separate booked and canceled flights before he was finally airborne and heading home. Landing in Miami at 5:30, with just under two hours to get back to Inverrary before Shabbos, Nissan hastily got into his Uber and began to chat to the driver as he took him on the final leg of this day-long journey.
Before long, Nissan discovered that the driver was a Jew so, upon his arrival back home, Nissan invited him in for a quick pre-Shabbos kugel and an opportunity to lay tefillin. As a participant in Anash of Inverrary’s Mivtzah Matzah campaign, Nissan also offered his newfound friend a box of matzah for the seder which he gladly accepted. The two exchanged numbers and as they bid goodbye, the driver shared something with Nissan that highlighted the very specific hashgocha protis that brought these two Jews together at this propitious time.
“I usually try to get back to Sunny Isles where I live, early on Friday night,” the driver said. “But for some reason, I decided I’ll leave my app on and take one more passenger today. You were my bonus ride,” he finished.
Seems like it was a bonus all around.
Like Nissan and his driver, you too could catch one more opportunity before Pesach to join the collective gift to the Rebbe from Anash worldwide being organized by Vaad Or Vechom in honor of Yud Alef Nissan – 120 years.
Well done Mendy Tiefenbrun, continue doing the Rebbe’s work with pride.
And thanks for the matza.
Harold Simon.