You Never Know What Shabbos Can Do

By Yossi Eliav

I have wanted to share this for a while. I am fortunate to be involved with the Yad L’Achim organization. One of my projects is putting together special events for this special organization. I witnessed something truly remarkable during the last Yad L’Achim “Achmed ben Sara Tour” that drove home a remarkable lesson: you never know how you can impact another Jew.

Shira was one of the featured speakers on tour, which traveled North America to showcase the terrifying personal stories of Jewish women trapped in marriages to Arab men. Her tale, in many ways, was sadly similar to others: as a naive and troubled teen she married her Arab boyfriend, a decision that led to decades-long, virtual imprisonment in the village. Shira’s story was a little different in one important detail, however. Her husband would eventually became a widely feared and respected mafia boss who sat atop a massive criminal empire.

Shira was rescued by Yad L’Achim almost two years ago, while her husband was in the midst of serving a 15-year incarceration in Eretz Yisrael. With her in her safe house, was her 22-year-old daughter, Tamar. Left behind in the village was her 18-year-old son, Ziad.

While Shira felt a warmth and longing for Judaism, Tamar had been raised bereft of any Jewish knowledge or tradition. She acknowledged her identity as a Jew and welcomed her new life living with her mother in Israel. Ziad, by contrast, identified as an Arab, and was resentful of both his Jewish heritage and his mother, whom he regarded as having shamefully abandoned their household. He maintained little contact with his mother after she fled the village, becoming the man of the house and the heir to his father’s mafia empire. His time in the village and the influence of his surroundings had left their mark.

But, we had an idea, that maybe, just maybe would work.

We saw the Achmed ben Sara tour as a golden opportunity for Shira to reunite with her son. Ziad was invited to join his mother as she toured the US, staying in New York, and Los Angeles and other cities. While reluctant, he felt the allure of the opportunity to tour the US, and he eventually agreed to join his mother and sister in their travels.

At the beginning of the tour, he was understandably uncomfortable. He would not speak to me or make eye contact. This, in turn, made me uncomfortable, but I understood. I had the face of his father’s captors. I was the one who stole away his mother and sister.

I decided not to force any interaction with him, and instead, in each city, I arranged for bochurim to hang out with Ziad and show him the local sites, dining and the like. Activities which purposely did not focus on anything Jewish, which might give the impression that he was being “proselytized.” Ziad was a bit standoffish at first, but as the days of the tour passed, a very gradual yet noticeable change took place.. Ziad eventually warmed to his caretakers. They built a trust and rapport, and he actually started to enjoy his journey and spending time with new friends.

Each Shabbos we were hosted by local families. The atmosphere was one of relaxed joy and friendship, and care was taken simply to show Ziad courtesy and respect, without forcing him to acknowledge or acquiesce to anything Jewish. The atmosphere was pleasant and disarming, and it was truly heartwarming to see Shira, Tamar and Ziad, enjoying Shabbos together as a family for the very first time.

The tour was very successful Baruch Hashem and raised much-needed awareness and funds to help Yad L’Achim save more Jewish lives. The epilogue to this particular story is unusual: Tamar, who was slowly strengthening her connection to Judaism, made the firm decision that she would keep Shabbos. That one special Shabbos had a major impact.  A beautiful affirmation of how the peace and joy of Shabbos has an unmistakable, transformative effect on every Jew.

Even more remarkable: Ziad is the heir to a mafia empire. He has access to unchecked power, wealth and respect that can bring him almost anything an 18-year-old could ever desire. And still, Ziad now chooses to live with his mother and sister in a humble safehouse in Israel and has refused to return to the village. He’s in constant touch with a dozen or so of his new Jewish friends. He’s now forging his own path at honoring Shabbos. Ziad is the Jewish son of an Arab mafia boss, and he has found an answer to man’s relentless quest for personal fulfillment through the care and attention of a few Jewish friends and the joy of Shabbos.

I had the opportunity to visit them in Eretz Yisrael before Rosh Hashana, and witnessed how their commitment to their heritage continues to deepen. I helped Ziad to put on tefillin, and learned of Tamar’s involvement with her trip to the Kotel with her local Chabad on Campus group in advance of the Yamim Noraim.

A number of individuals played a critical part in welcoming them back to their people: Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, who gave them beautiful blessings for their journeys of personal growth; Rabbi Simon Jacobson, who gave generously of his time to answer their questions; their hosts in Los Angeles, Rabbis Reuven Wolf, the Kagen family, and the Kalmensons; their host in Crown Heights, Rabbi Moshe Klein of HaSofer who personally showed them the intricacies of the production of Stam; Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halberstam and Mendel Eisenbach, who gave them a tour of 770, and the Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Leibel Groner.

In addition, there was an outstanding concern and involvement shown by the following families: Gabai (L.A.), Heller, Nash, Popper, Hertzel and Reinitz, all of whom selflessly hosted and accommodated Shira and her children; Rabbi Nachmen Abend, who gifted them tickets to Disney World after the event at his Chabad House; Rabbi Moshe and Leah Shemtov of Chabad of Stamford, who threw a surprise birthday party for Shira after her speaking event; Rabbi Osher Yemini; Rebbetzin Dini Freundlich of Chabad Beijing; the Rapoport family of Chabad of Atlantic City; and Yosef Hershkop and Crown Heights Urgent Care for their assistance.

Shira and her children are grateful to Rabbi Nesanel Gantz, Director of Yad L’Achim in America and all the Yad L’Achim staff for all his support during the events. I like to also thank Mica Soffer and the staff of COLlive.com for their ongoing guidance and support.

It’s important to note: the smiles, greetings, and kind words shared by those who we randomly encountered are too numerous to mention, and the impact too great to properly describe. It’s difficult to truly appreciate what showing warmth to a stranger can accomplish. These random, unsung acts of kindness are part of the wonderful Ahavas Yisrael that our community is famous for, and have played an important role in restoring these three souls to Am Yisrael and will surely hasten the coming Moshiach now!