They were stuck in a Montana airport with no end in sight to their wait and no kosher food to eat. That’s what happened today to some 300 passengers on an El Al airlines flight Tel Aviv to Los Angeles. The Boeing 777 made an emergency landing in Billings, Mont., when a reported fire in one of the engines made it unsafe to continue.
Passengers disembarked the plan and were bused to a terminal, where they waited for another plane to take them to their final destination—Los Angeles International Airport. There they sat as the hours ticked away and the food supplies—in particular, the kosher food—dwindled.
Hillel Fuld of Beit Shemesh, Israel, says that somehow, Rabbi Chaim and Chavie Bruk—co-directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana in Bozeman—got news of the situation and set about immediately to offer assistance.
With her 3 young children in tow, Chavie Bruk drove a car full of kosher food 150 miles to Billings Logan International Airport, where passengers had been waiting for nearly 10 hours.
“She showed up and instantly put a smile on hundreds of faces. She did it with utter grace and never stopped smiling for a second,” says Fuld, 37, who works in technology. “Based on the constant smile on her face, she is happier to be here than we are to have her here.
“It was a tremendous kiddush Hashem—amazing and inspiring!”
Stuck in Billings, Montana after an emergency landing on the way to LA.
Chabad just showed up with endless food. pic.twitter.com/zsVwz43fqG
— Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) November 15, 2015
Fuld, who is traveling with his wife and 11-year-old son to Los Angeles, enjoyed kosher bagels, cold cuts, chips and cake. Heaps of hummus, fresh fruit and other goods were also available.
Rabbi Chaim Bruk recounts that the rabbi at El Al in Israel called him early today and apprised him of the plane trouble. Bruk was on a flight to Minneapolis, but his wife snapped into action.
She gathered as much ready-to-eat food as she could—the family had just received a kosher-food shipment the night before—piled her children into the car and drove two hours to the airport.
“She was welcomed like a heroine,” says the rabbi.
Meanwhile, the group of tired passengers remain in the airport two hours later—a half-day now—waiting for the next leg of their journey.
Sure hope ElAl pays them back. She had to go without food b/c it will take another week or so for a new shipment to arrive.
WOW CHAVI!
that is really amazing!
We are so proud of you
Love the Blocks from Australia
That she had no idea anyone would find our abt any of this. So much of what these sluchim do is thankless and unglamorous. Yet theyre there day in and day out. Living in these places alone with little kids. Helping people in ways that aren’t fancy five star affairs, in ways that are often hard. But in ways that truly matter.
I also have to say that her smile is the highlight of this entire story. Wow! We should be the same.
How can one donate for these special people
Rebbetzin Bruk, I live on the other side of the world, yet I am filled with pride and appreciation of your selfless devotion to the Rebbe’s shlichus and to the love of your fellow Yidden.
Pride – meaning both the nachas that I have in seeing your actions (and undoubtedly your parents do too!), as well as the Geon Yakov – the Yiddishe dignity and pride – that you display.
Appreciation – of your awesome Ahavas Yisroel which is an example to us all.
So many readers have been inspired. Now would be an ideal time to cover their costs and be a partner in their laudable outreach.
http://Www.jewishmontana.com
Chaim and Chavie Bruk—co-directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana in Bozeman—got news of the situation and set about immediately to offer assistance.
Here’s my take 🙂
Bo (it came ) Zeman (the time) Mon (Manna food) Tana She gave.
The Tzedakah of the Shlucha Akeres Habayis is greater than the Man’s — because its ready to eat.
Also the Chinuch for the Children will be a “forever” moment!
Thank you for doing true Ahavas Yisroel.
Moved me reading this! Big Kiddush Hashem! Ahavat Israel Chinam!
best shluchim ever!
תודה רבה לחב״ד מכפר חב״ד
משפחה
Indeed a real shlicha!! No benefits just the act of kindness
Heartwarming. Don’t know you Chavie תחי
but you sure are a heroine. Your good deeds should help bring Moshiach Now.
Is she a woman Rabbi? Does she have a salaried job in aTemple? WHERE DID SHE GET SUCH hugh PORTIONSOF FOOD..DID SHE COOK SOME HERSELF? KINDNESS is her game anyway,regardless plus an example to her children and leaders everywhere.
chabad always pulls through
What a tremendous and delightful peula — performed with mesiras nefesh and simcha! Kol hakavod to the Bruks! I’m inspired.
Am Yisroe-l Chai
Mi KeAmcha Yisrael…and this is especially impressive…. Chessed that will not be forgotten, by the passengers, nor by the children joining their mother springing into action. May this Zechus bring many Brachos !!!!!
For the work you do for our ppl
Really proud to be a part of Chabad!
Amazing beautiful traveling with little kids in the car and giving away all your food. Beyond beyond no words…
What a special Shlucha going above and beyond out of her way to help people in need. Yasher Koach
go bruks!!!!
Another happy ending
Yasher Koach Chavie! Living in Surrey British Columbia,(not so far from you) I know what a mesiras nefesh it is to take your recent kosher order and prepare box loads of ready to eat food in a short time. What a kiddush Hashem and kiddush shem Lubavitch!
What a kiddush Hashem and Kiddush Lubavitch!!
Just read about the Bruks in the Jewish Press. They really embody the essence of ACHDUS…..the theme of Rabbi Druks dvar torah. May Hashem reward you with continued hatzlocha in the Rebbe’s work, and loads of nachas from your little junior shluchim.
best shluchim ever!
miss those kids!
כל הכבוד לחב”ד! כל הכבוד להשלוחים והשלוחות! !אהבת ישראל אמיתית!
Not surprised at all! Chavie you did it again! You are the best
kol hakavod, really nice story
What an AMAZING kiddush H”!
Wow amazing ! I am moved !!!!
There is no end to work of shluchim. We are so proud of you and the work you do, the sacrifices you make all in the name of Hashem, His Torah and the Rebbes mission. Kol hakavod! You make us so proud!