“No Jew is too far” is a literal truth lived by every day of nine volunteering Bochurim, who this year drove for 9,600 miles across Brazil, visiting Jews in all corners of the country, from Jaguarão-RS on the Uruguayan border to Lençóis-BA in the northern side, from the western city of Uruguaiana to the eastern Vitória.
Split into three separate groups, during the two months of summer vacation, they dedicated themselves to inspiring people with visits in their houses and offices, sharing some words of Torah, putting on Tefilin, and doing what was needed, such as affixing or checking the Mezuzas; as well as offering a listening ear.
Messages of Jewish pride, strength in Yiddishkeit, and the importance of the Jewish heritage, often are the only source of connection to Yiddishkeit for these Jews in far-flung places. The Mitzvah Tank project is specifically focused on aiding those that live in remote cities that may not even have a Synagogue, community or Rabbi.
Events, Shiurim, Davening and meals on Shabbos, Mega Challah Bakes, Q&A’s sessions, Havdalah with Chassidic Nigunim, and many more were part of the events the bochurim offered throughout the trip. For many that they visited, this was the first time they had participated in a Jewish ritual or event. The impact has pushed many small communities to organize their own events during the year, the bochurim said.
“Thank you very much for the visit,” said Claudia. “I appreciate the love and caring; I received two books and a lovely picture of The Rebbe,” she said.
Now, after such a long trip, the Project is only beginning, the bochurim said. They plan to keep in touch with the Jews they met and the small communities, providing them with their needs throughout the year; such as Chanukah Boxes and Shmurah Matzah to be shipped across the country. On special dates Bochurim and Rabbis plan to visit some of the cities, such as for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Purim, Chanukah and for the Pesach Seder.
The Mitzva Tank Project Brazil is managed by the young volunteering Bochurim, with help from various Shluchim of different areas.
One story which happened during the summer truly shows the impact of the bochurim’s work. Before one of the groups headed out, a Holocaust survivor they met gave them a pair of Tefillin, saying he would like them to give them to someone they met that would put them on daily.
That day, the bochurim visited a small town, where they met a man who related that he had been going through very difficult times due to a situation in his family as well as financial challenges. During his conversation with the bochurim, he mentioned that he would love to be able to start putting on Tefillin every day. Shocked by the Divine Providence, the bochurim gave him the pair of Tefillin, which he puts on daily, he told the bochurim later.
A short while later, the father of one of the Bochurim, Rabbi Yossi Alpern, a Shlich in S. Paulo, Brazil, told the story at the Shabbos table. One of the guests at the table, inspired that the man had decided to put on Tefillin despite the sad difficulties he was going through, said that he too would commit to putting on Tefillin daily.
In addition, one of the men they met is planning to have a bris Milah, as well as others who were affected in various ways.
This years’ group included: North Route: Moshe Antebi, Chaim Begun, Nussi Schapiro and Mendy Tamezgui. Floripa Route: Yaacov Alpern, Shaya Begun and Mendy Steinmetz. South Route: Yaacov Alpern, Shaya Begun, Shmuly Goldman and Naftaly Palace.
To know more about the project, see our Instagram page at https://instagram.com/
If you know of any Yiden, anywhere in the Country, let us know at +1 (908) 777-0613 (WhatsApp, Call or Text) or at [email protected]
Donations could be made to PayPal.me/MitzvaTank (send as friends & family)
Wow Shaya you are the best we are really proud of you keep up your great work transforming the entire Brazil one city at a time