FATHERS & SONS BOND OVER COLEL CHABAD ISRAEL TRIP

SHARON GIVATI

WHILE FATHER AND SON BONDING CAN ALWAYS BE A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE, A RECENT TRIP TO ISRAEL TOOK THAT EXPERIENCE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL FOR A GROUP FROM BROOKLYN. THEY WERE INVITED FOR A UNIQUE GLIMPSE INTO THE WORK OF COLEL CHABAD AND ALL THEY’RE DOING FOR ISRAELI CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

Founded in 1788, Colel Chabad is the longest continuously operating charitable organization in Israel, and is involved in a wide variety of activities to support the country’s needy populations. These activities range from direct financial support, to nutritional support, as well as a network of social programs and activities.

As part of the fathers-son trip, the group including Raymond Zaytoune, Henry Guindi, Nemo Gindi, Leon Guindi, Elliot Gindi, Jacob Yedid, Jacky Yedid and Joseph Guindi, had the chance to join Colel Chabad’s Bar Mitzvah For Orphans program that everyone described as an emotional highlight of their time in Israel. The bar mitzvah (a similar program is offered for bat mitzvah girls), brought over 120 boys to the kotel for their aliya l’Torah, followed by a fully-produced and catered party for family and friends. The boys have all lost a father or mother under tragic circumstances and for many of them, financial or practical considerations would mean they wouldn’t experience that rite of passage of entering into Jewish manhood that most take for granted.

“Being there to experience a bar miztvah with these boys, many of whom without a father to guide them, dance with them, or show them how to put on their new set of tefillin, was extremely emotional for the members of our group,” explained Colel Chabad’s Ephraim Duchman. “It allowed all of us to appreciate the power of Tzedakah, both financial and personal, to impact the lives of others for the better and that we have the power to make that difference in so many ways.”

Duchman said that Colel Chabad has been blessed to have a very close relationship with the Syrian community for many years and he is confident that this father-son trip will be instrumental in taking that legacy of support to the next generations. “It was incredible to watch how these kids became so quickly aware of the impact of their parents’ actions. It is one thing to know that our parents are caring for others by providing financial support, but when we are able to see those funds in action it takes that understanding to a whole new level.”

The group also visited the Beis Finger Rehabilitative Center, a home for adults with degenerative neurological conditions, where they can live in dignity and with full support for a productive life. Then they went to the “Warm House” in Tzfat, which takes care of children after school through bed time, providing them with food, tutoring, a hot shower and breakfast for the following morning.

Among the most popular and transformative programs operated by Colel Chabad is Pantry Packers. Well-known as part of any well-planned Israel itinerary, Pantry Packers invites families and groups of tourists to come to their Jerusalem warehouse to pack food packages that are then delivered to people in need all around Israel. Since its founding, 10 years ago, thousands of groups have participated in the experience.

The father-son group were treated to a special tour of the facility hosted by Rabbi Menachem Traxler who thanked them for their visit saying, “You are all proof of what it means to teach our kids by example and they will all return home knowing what it means to help others,” he said.

Rabbi Traxler and the Colel Chabad team are looking forward to seeing the families again at their annual summer concert with Mordechai Shapiro in Deal on August 22 and welcoming members of the Syrian community back to Pantry Packers in Jerusalem on their next trip.

Sharon Givati is a Jerusalem based freelance writer. Originally from New York, she lives in Israel with her husband and five children.