They Live 6000 Miles Apart, But…
Daniel and Mikey live 6000 miles away from each other, but they have forged a strong bond between them.
They are both Bar Mitzvah age. Daniel is from Efrat in Gush Etzion in Israel and Mikey is from Wisconsin.
This week, they met face to face for the first time at a joint Bar Mitzvah celebration at the Western Wall that was organized for them by Chabad’s Terror Victims Project (CTVP).
Six months ago, Daniel’s father, Rafael, was viciously stabbed by a terrorist as he and his wife were taking a leisurely stroll together near their home. The terrorist had infiltrated their community of Efrat and attacked Daniel’s father.
Miraculously, Rafael was saved from even worse injuries and after a series of treatments, was sent home from the hospital to recover. But the trauma of the attack will remain with the family for a long time. Chabad has been with them since that evening.
Mikey and his family heard about what had happened to Daniel’s family from Wisconsin Chabad Shaliach, Rabbi Avremi Schapiro. He had previously twinned Bnai Mitzvah youngsters from abroad with their contemporaries in Israel, whose families had been shattered by the violence of terror attacks.
Rabbi Schapiro suggested to Mikey and his family that he twin with Daniel for their Bar Mitzvahs. He talked about the solidarity and support this would give to Daniel and his family, and how it demonstrated the love Mikey’s family had for Israel and her people.
Mikey was very excited at the idea and told his family and friends that, rather than have a big Bar Mitzvah party in Wisconsin, he wanted to twin with Daniel and meet at the Western Wall. Which is exactly what they did.
The two boys met and Daniel was given a beautiful pair of tefillin from Chabad’s Terror Victims Project.
Rabbi Menachem Kutner, director of the project, and Rabbi Schapiro from Chabad of Wisconsin, officiated together as the parents of both boys joined together with their children in joyous singing and dancing.
“This beautiful event will live long in the hearts and memories of both families who are now united though they live on opposite sides of the ocean,” Rabbi Kutner said.
Two fine young men and their parents, connected by heritage, peoplehood and strong beliefs, come together to our beloved Kotel to celebrate with joy being called to the Torah. What a moment. Mazel Tov and L’ Chaim to both special families.
Be’H 1. U refer to Rafi’s “light” wounds. Please be advised/reminded that Rafi actually sustained “MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS TO NECK AND UPPER BACK.” It was only due to Divine intervention that every one of the FOUR knife wounds missed a vital organ by barely a millimeter. 2. Rafi’s wife had to endure the horror of seeing her husband stabbed over-and-over again, and they each have to relive the horror each-and-every time they pass the scene of terror attack (about a dozen times per day, every day!) – located just a 2-minute walk from their home on the very street where… Read more »
Avremi! Avremi! You give us so much nachas and your father z’l is undoubtedly kvelling! Levi & Sorah
I’m Daniel’s safta and live in Alon Shvut I was soo oooo moved by the Bar MItzva “tefillah” at the “kotel” and want to send to Micky ( Michael, who has the same name as my husband Michael z”l ) a blessing of continued connection to the Jewish people and Israel and may he use his “tefillin” in good health Lessa Roskin
You’re mixing two different years. The period of stabbings in Gush Etzion (mainly around Tzomet HaGush) happened LAST year. And R”L many of the stabbing victims were seriously injured or killed. Rafi was stabbed in Efrat during Chanuka of THIS year, B”H lightly.
So happy for you Shoshi to have this double simcha!!
Btw, where was Rav Nissim Nachshon during this B”M? He is the shaliach of the Beit Chabad in Efrat and the Liskers are members of the Beit Chabad. It was Rav Nissim that was literally there with Rafi (and family) from the time of the stabbing.
We could all learn a lesson from this selfless act by Mikey.
This, along with ending all Loshon Hara, is an example of kindness which will, strengthen Klal Yisroael and bring Moshiach Bim Hara V’yemenu.
That period was so terribble, Hashem Yishmor. I think some of us (me?) May be guilty of counting kedoshim r”l and not taking ibto cobsideration the many whose lives and families were ruibed by these terror attacks while bh surviving.
Kol hakavod to chabad teror victims org and r menachem kutner
Today is the yortzeit (24 sivan) of Levi Yitschak Schapiro zl.
may they both know only blessings from hashem
Daniel. May you have & share only simchas.
MAZEL TOV!!!!!!!!!
Lefty power.
Go Avruim Schapiro
such a beautiful idea!