Rescuing a Jew who is no longer alive gives new meaning to ‘chesed shel emes’
Dear Friends,
Doing a favor for the deceased is called “chesed shel emes” – true lovingkindness. Why? Because there is no way they can thank us or repay the favor.
Yesterday I said “Yes”, no matter what it costs. “YES!”
I was informed that an elderly Jewish woman had died in Ocala, Florida and her daughter consigned her body to a gentile funeral home for cremation.
I had to stop this from happening, whatever it might take. No Jew should ever be cremated, and their ashes cast to the wind.
Convincing the daughter to stop this horror was a nightmare. She finally relented under one condition, that I take responsibility for covering ALL the expenses – paying off the funeral home in Ocala, flying the remains back to New York, purchasing a plot in the Jewish cemetery where her father is buried and, of course, arranging a proper taharah and levayah.
I felt like I had just received the greatest gift – the gift of rescuing a Jew literally from a fate worse than death. I did not look into how much it might cost. In a situation like this, cost is NOT an issue.
And now I am reaching out to you, because I know you would want to have a share in this priceless and very,very,very rare mitzvah.
The total cost is $8,500. Please do the best you can. We – all of us – are this woman’s only living Jewish family.
The link to donate is Chabadbronx.org/donate, please write in the memo for Jewish burial.
I am sure that once she is resting in peace she will be our eternal advocate in the next world.
May this Mitzvah tip the scale and bring Moshiach Tzidkenu Now!
Thank you,
Rabbi Levi Shemtov – Chabad of Riverdale
Clck here to donate: Chabadbronx.org/donate, please write in the memo for Jewish burial.
An ENORMOUS mitzvah – everyone should try to contribute something … It will add up !
Thank you Rabbi Shem Tov for undertaking this enormous Mitzvah.
On the campaign it doesn’t show how much was raised.
Would be nice to know how much is still needed.
Please let us know if you have already raised the full and complete amount yet or is there some still needed. Thank you!
Has the amount been met yet? Please let us know.
Bh, thank’s to the many acts of Tzdoka and Chesed, we reached our goal.
The Levaya will iyh be on Friday at Beth Israel cemetery in Woodbridge NJ.,,
A very big Yasher koach to Rabbi Yossi Hecht the Rebbe’s Shliach in Ocala Fl. For going to the funeral home and making all the arrangements.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov