By Zevi Rosenblum
Three years ago, I was sent on Merkos Shlichus to Jacksonville, Florida, with my chavrusa, Benyamin Lezak. After spending 3 weeks of searching unsuccessfully for Jews, I was ready to give up, and sat in our parked car searching for flights back to New York.
That’s when I saw Max Ilano.
He was taking his dog for a walk and I jumped out of the car hoping to give my Shlichus prospects one last chance.
I asked the young man if he was Jewish. He replied, “I’m half Jewish.” His mother is a Jew and his Hebrew name was Amichai Mordechai.
Did you ever put on Tefillin?
No, came the reply.
Then and there, I helped him put Tefillin on for the first time, celebrating his Bar Mitzvah, I then invited him to join us on Shabbos.
Before heading back, I met Max at a Starbucks coffee shop for a goodbye chat. Without giving it much thought, I asked him out of the blue if he would like to join a Yeshiva.
What’s a Yeshiva? he asked, shocked by the very concept that I later explained to him.
He eventually agreed to come up to New York for a week to check it out. Sure enough, Max fell in love and stayed for a full year, growing in Judaism and imbuing the Yeshiva with his energetic and burning soul.
This week, I received the horrible news that Max passed away.
Through the pain and grief, I quickly called his father to offer my condolences and ask about the funeral. When he responded that Max would be cremated, I burst into tears.
I pleaded with the father to honor Max with a proper Jewish burial. It was a very hard conversation, but I insisted that this is what Max would have wanted. Max’s father finally agreed.
Immediately, I made a few phone calls and found out that a Jewish burial in Jacksonville would cost $10,000, a sum I had no idea how to find.
After speaking with Dovi Katz, a senior member of the chevra kaddisha in Miami, we were able to get Max’s body sent to New York where Chesed Shel Emes assisted me with arranging Max’s levaya. The levaya took place on Thursday in Woodridge, NY.
I’ve learned the tremendous lesson that each of us has the power to take a seemingly impossible challenge, and turn it into an opportunity to help a fellow yid.
Today 18 Nissan 5778
Rabbi Wagner finished saying the entire year of Kaddish for Max!!!
L’chaim!!! May the Neshama Have an Aliyah!
Try http://www.peacefulreturn.org
I have brochures (Crown Hts.) and if you need, email me at [email protected]. Also, a good book you can see is Cremation or Burial? by Doron Kornbluth
Very powerful story, i am sure the Rebbe is very proud. I would like to point out that there is a organization called “Hebrew free burial association” that is dedicated to Chessed shel emes, in a case of need they will bury a Yid free of charge, in this case the burial was satisfactory resolved, however it is good to know that you can save a Yid from being cremated without money being a issue. Saving a Yid from being cremated is maybe one the greatest kindness and Ahavas Yisroel you can do for him or her, as Lubavitchers all… Read more »
BROUght me to tears
Thanks for sharing Zevi
Too many Shluchim bring up the discussion of cremation after someone dies. This should be a topic that is discussed as general knowledge so people are informed. I called a shliach in Florida to tell him my dear friend was cremating her husband because she couldn’t afford a burial. He never bothered to call her or me. I offered some money but didn’t have enough. Some Shluchim have raised fund to prevent a person being cremated. What a huge mitzvah. Shluchim wake up and be proactive.
This boy had a special neshama – you were zoche to give him his bar mitzvah AND lead him on his path back home…Continue your shlichus with simcha – shkoiach!
unbelieveable what each individual can accomplish
This is a very sad story with a miraculous twist. Who knows how many other untold miracle’s have you been involved in.
You’re the best!! Hatzlacha!
Zevi keep up the good work. It’s a great mitzvah you did. It’s a real chesed shel emes.
I can share few similar stories – about helping Jews out of cremation. Yashe coach
Keep your great work
We love you !
Your Rubin’s ShuleCrew
What a story! Thank you so much for sharing!
True Mesiras nefesh of a Bochur, a Chossid! Such Ahavas Yisroel, Moshiach needs to come!
may his neshomo have aliya, and may we have him back with Moshiach NOW!!! thanks for sharing his story. i am sure his neshomo is happy thanks to the huge Chessed shel emes!
Zevi. You are a huge inspiration and example for everyone. Thank you for sharing. May you continue
To do good work and hashem bless you.
Amazed! Sad but wow
Zevi, you are an inspiration to all of us. this touching story, I believe, is one of many incredible Mitzvots you have accumulated in the past years (and you are what 23? ) when my dear father was hospitalized in critical and terminal illness in Tel aviv, far from his home and family , you were the light in the darkest time of my family. you gave my father hope and dignity by making sure you he puts Tefilin and hear his favorite Nigunim few days before his passing. if there is a bit of Nechama in this personal tragedy… Read more »
such a sad story glad he had you in in his life to take care of him in this time.
GEVALTIG
ZEVI STAY STRONG YOU HAVE LOTS OF KOACH TO DO THE REBBES WORK .
OLWAYS FOR SIMCHOS
That hearts me so much I remember him in Morristown always learning
For giving it one more try, for writing the article to teach others to do the same, and for inspiring us with your story.
Thanks for sharing