House Call

Being Yud-Tes Kislev, I was feeling a bit inspired by the effect of the Alter Rebbe in the world today. Even in remote areas, sparks are shining in Jewish souls. I decided to call someone who has been to camp and has been inspired, but for some reason or another, has never made it to Yeshiva.

Avrohom Gurevitch is living in Ismael, a small suburb of Odessa. Ismael has no Jewish school and Avrohom’s Judaism is limited to the spark that Yeka lit in his soul. His history with Yeka goes all the way back to the “Simferopol Days.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to go to camp this past summer, which makes it almost a year and a half since he’s last been to Yeka. Yet every morning, before he goes to school, he thinks about Yeka. He removes the precious gift that his counselor gave him from it’s bag, rolls up his sleeve and puts on his Tefillin.

When I asked Avrohom if he new today’s Jewish date, he very matter-of-factly said, “Today is Yud-Tes Kislev, the day that the Alter Rebbe was freed from prison.” Recently, the Shliach in Odessa sent a Shliach to his town. Now Avrohom and his father proudly participate in the weekly Minyan every Shabbos.

Avrohom wanted to know if there was a camp this year and how it was. He has an internet connection at home and checks our site regularly, eagerly awaiting new posts.

Avrohom is in the 11^th grade. After he graduates, he wants to enroll in an institute in Odessa and become a computer technician. If anyone would like to say hello, you can leave a comment here. I’m sure he’ll read it.

Avrohom and Eli Chaim. Simferopol, 2002.

Belanova, 2003.

Levi Zelixon, Avrohom and Chaim. Belanova, 2003.

Levi Raskin with Rafi and Avrohom. Belanova, 2003.

Avrohom recieving his Teffillin. Mironova, 2003.

Belanova, 2004.