A heartwarming story unfolded this week when a simple learning incentive at educational institute Oholei Torah in Crown Heights set off an unexpected chain of events that led to a 50-year-old Jewish man putting on Tefillin for the very first time.
According to a voice note recorded by the boy’s father, the story began when Oholei Torah staff member Menachem Benchemon handed some cards promoting the current Chayenu subscription drive to some of his students. Chayenu, as many readers are familiar, is a weekly Torah booklet that includes the daily study cycles of Chitas, Rambam, and more. One of the students, who particularly enjoys collecting cards, came home to his building thrilled with the gift.
That same day, an exterminator, new to the building, happened to arrive. In his innocent and sincere excitement, the young 7-year-old boy decided he wanted to gift the Chayenu card to the exterminator. Before he did, however, his mother gently asked whether he had first confirmed that the man was Jewish.
When asked, the exterminator replied, “No. Well, a little. My mother’s mother was Jewish.” Hearing that, the boy’s mother immediately responded, “If that’s the case, you’re Jewish.” The man seemed moved but uncomfortable, as though something deep inside him had suddenly been awakened.
Seizing the moment, the mother called her brother-in-law, who lives upstairs, and asked him to bring Tefillin. When he arrived, the man initially protested, explaining that he actually followed another religion, rachmana litzlan. But she gently insisted, “No, you’re actually Jewish.”
They helped him put on Tefillin, and as the straps were wrapped around his arm he suddenly said, “Wow. I feel the Jewish strength in this.” The family’s eight-year-old daughter later told her father that the man appeared to be crying.
The father later reflected that the pure enthusiasm of a child had unexpectedly awakened the Jewish soul of a man who had lived and worked among Jews his entire life yet had never once put on Tefillin.
“It all started with a simple Chayenu card,” he said, “and led to this 50-year-old man having a Bar Mitzvah in my living room.”
OFFER ENDING SOON!
Chayenu is offering its largest discount ever — 50% OFF — generously subsidized by Chaya Mushka bas Esther, in honor of her birthday on 13 Kislev.
This special offer brings the regular $220 annual print + digital subscription down to just $110, with free U.S. and international shipping.
Subscribe today — and share this offer with a friend.
Chayenu Sale: 50% OFF 1-Year Subscription
Use promo code: 13KISLEV at Chayenu.org/subscribe
Sale ends: This Wednesday, 20 Kislev (Dec. 10), 11:59 PM ET
Offer valid only for new annual Chayenu subscriptions (not Chayenu3) and cannot be combined with other discounts.
Spread the word: Become a Chayenu Ambassador! Join the WhatsApp group at Chayenu.org/ambassadors and help inspire more Jews to learn Chitas, Rambam, and Daily Torah Studies with Chayenu. Inside the group you’ll get inspiration, short videos, images, prize giveaways, and more – all ready to share to help you spread the word.
You can also access ready-to-use promotional images for social media and email at Chayenu.org/share.
You can print an 8.5″×11″ poster in Color or Black & White and share at your Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen. Post it in your shul, school, office, or simply hand one to a friend.
יישר כוח! מרגש