By Aloma Graham for COLlive
The Rubashkin family have brought many firsts to the Jews of Sioux Falls: The first minyan, farbrengan, kriah, and the first shabbaton (this was a first for my family as well, I would never have thought it would be here).
Jewish men put Tefilin on for the first time, my own 26 year-old son was one of them, another was a young man who Shalom Mordechai put Tefilin on for the first time in his life, at his mother’s bedside as she was dying in a hospice.
This was the greatest thing that he could do for his mother’s soul at this point is to perform the mitzvah of putting on tefillin.
Now at this special time Hashem has given us yet another first, our first public Menorah lighting held at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
For the past three years we have had a Chanukah party for the Israeli people that come to work in the kiosks at our mall.
This year we wanted to make it some thing even more special by making it to honor Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin who is being held unjustly in the Linn County Correctional Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Tuesday before Chanukah, 13 Kislev, I became ill and had to “take it easier.” This was a blow, as in the past, I have done all the cooking myself, it was looking as if there would not be a party this year.
The very next day, Wednesday, Leah Rubashkin called me.
She asked how the party planning was coming along, I of course told her that it was likely there would not be a party this year. Leah without hesitation took up the fray; and she and her wonderful family began to plan to make the party happen.
Thursday when Leah called, she inquired about a place to do a public Menorah lighting, this was not some thing we had ever been apart of before and wanted so much to see.
We began making calls, but as the weekend was approaching time was short for putting that kind of thing together, as Shabbos approached we had no place to do the lighting.
One of the calls we made was to the Washington Pavilion, a center for the arts. It was Sunday morning when we got a call back from the lady in charge, which we had never met her before.
She said she was Jewish and very was excited about making this happen at the Pavilion. She wanted to set it up for 4:30 Sunday afternoon because that was the time that the symphony performance would be letting out and we would have a large crowd.
We called Leah. They were preparing the food for the party for that night and had a 5 hour trip ahead of them. She was not sure they could make but if not she would send someone a head; it was going to happen!
The public menorah lighting was remarkable; truly one of the most joyous things I have ever experienced.
I watched the faces of those who looked on, as they changed from curiosity, to wonder, to being caught up in the dedication and joy of a people transcending themselves to be closer to Hashem.
Yes, my words could those of a one who possess a Jewish, soul easily moved by this incredible display.
However the next we got a call form the lady at the pavilion. She was ecstatic about the feedback she was getting from those who had seen the lighting.
She wanted to know how she could obtain an electric menorah to keep up for the remaining 8 days! She then asked if we could plan to come again next year!
The Chanukah party that evening was a wonder in itself. A conference room graciously donated by a local hospital transformed into a party room with table clothes of blue, blue and white streamers, confetti and Chanukah decorations.
The food that was so graciously made and supplied by the Rubashkin family, was remarkable. The evening was spent in the glow of the menorah lights, the Chanukah story, the first time I had ever heard it told by a rabbi (Getzel Rubashkin), and music. It was truly a wonder!
Rubashkin Sentence Coverage:
+ Nat Lewin To Help Rubashkin
+ Leah Rubashkin Tells ‘Miracles’
+ Rubashkin – Burning Questions
+ Kids Write to Rubashkin
+ Yard Signs for Rubashkin
+ Rubashkin Appeals Bail Denial
+ Leah Rubashkin to Speak
+ Achdus Shabbos for Rubashkin Bail
+ Judge Denies Rubashkin Bail
These Rubashkins are something else. What remarkable amazing and truly inspiring people they are. May Hashem bentch you that your nisayon be completely over and done with now, and in fact, may we all merit the Geulah Sheleimah NOW!
Eli Brafman & Shmuel Minkowitz looking great, keep up ur good work.
shkoiach!
you are an EXAMPLE and an INSPIRATION
thankyou!!!!!!!
I am crying. Absolutely amazing. May all your prayers be answered that through your incredible mitzvot your husband, tatti, and dear community leader will be free! Sobbing away here……
Chanuka going into Didon Notzach! What an example for all of us.
go rubashkins
next year you should do it even greater &Sholom Mordechi attending as a free man begashmios.
But again is anyone one who knows the Rubashkins Shocked?
Amazing people!
May the one above help them in this time of need.
lookin good eli
UR AWESOME!!!!
Eli
sucha special family. besuros tovos.
Good to see you, you look very happy!!!!
great job Getzel and Chana!!!
stay strong!
!KEEP IT UP
may hashem grant them hatzalacha rabbah
hurray eli!!!