Incredible, Chaya Leah! My son was on the Friday ship and didn't want to fly on Shabbat. He and 20 kids walked with the rabbi two hours from the boat and they took care of these kids so they wouldn't have to fly on Shabbat. Incredible! (Also my son happens to be the cover photo of the recent TOI article on the Cyprus Chabad. Out of the 1000s of kids on the dock. SO crazy.) Anyway, as a coincidence (or not) we had long planned to visit the Ohel with our local Mpls rabbi this week and our plane landed back in Minnesota about 20 minutes after our son's landed from the long journey back. As I wrote on my own social media encouraging people to donate, "Who takes care of our kids all over the world!? Chabad does."
Chayaleah. This was a combination of hysterical and terrifying. You handled it like an IDF general. I’d want you on my team no matter what the disaster. Thank goodness your home.
Surreal. Thank you for sharing your epic evacuation story Chaya Leah. Sounds like a lot to process. I hope you get plenty of rest, but if there are any more funny tidbits from your journey that you left out, please don’t hold out on us in future episodes!
We are a funny people-- Chaya Leah you told this tale with classic Jewish humor and grace. The title of the episode is perfection. I was laughing and then crying. I felt so proud to be Jewish when you described all the people helping along the way. You had a huge responsibility placed on your shoulders (with little readily available information), and you rose to the occasion.
Yael, A BIG SHOUT TO YOU TOO! When I was done, I thought- wow, she's a really really good friend. Like a once-in-a-lifetime-keep-forever-kind of friend. You didn't minimize or invalidate Chaya Leah's experience- you were so empathetic and supportive and loving without trying to compare the current situation in Israel (which is obviously harrowing). Not that I thought you would invalidate- but it's really a remarkable trait. You both show us how friendship can run deep. Thanks for this remarkable episode.
Chaya, I listened and cried like a baby the entire time, my daughter was part of this experience and the story is - well - one could not have written a movie with all the twists and turns. There were a few things that you left out of your story
* on the cruise ship at about 5:00 pm, my daughter and her friends look up and see a missile heading straight for the boat - the Navy and the Iron Dome took it out - they watched the entire thing - it seemed strange to me that they took all the kids passports away when they got on the boat, but they did not confiscate the cell phones, hence kids were posting online - which was obviously a security issue and almost got the ship blown up - I shudder to think of this
*she said in Cypress they were surrounded by police the entire time ( think G-d), and that there were people heckling them and lucky they had police protection
* on her specific group, once the boat docked the 2 leaders of the group LEFT them and got on a plane and flew out - they were left with NO group leader - this one puzzles me
*they moved her group to a kibbutz way down south and she said that because of this, they were not near a city ( which was good), the bangs and shuddering from the interceptions over them was scary
Overall I think we all understand the chaotic and unique situation that everyone was in and the behind the scenes organizing that must have gone on - I thank G-d for Chabad, for all of you and for their safe return. I just thought I would add a few things to your story
Incredible, Chaya Leah! My son was on the Friday ship and didn't want to fly on Shabbat. He and 20 kids walked with the rabbi two hours from the boat and they took care of these kids so they wouldn't have to fly on Shabbat. Incredible! (Also my son happens to be the cover photo of the recent TOI article on the Cyprus Chabad. Out of the 1000s of kids on the dock. SO crazy.) Anyway, as a coincidence (or not) we had long planned to visit the Ohel with our local Mpls rabbi this week and our plane landed back in Minnesota about 20 minutes after our son's landed from the long journey back. As I wrote on my own social media encouraging people to donate, "Who takes care of our kids all over the world!? Chabad does."
WOW!
Amazing!!
My team of Christians were praying for you daily and begging me for daily updates.
I love you and I’m so extremely grateful you are home and safe.
Chayaleah. This was a combination of hysterical and terrifying. You handled it like an IDF general. I’d want you on my team no matter what the disaster. Thank goodness your home.
Surreal. Thank you for sharing your epic evacuation story Chaya Leah. Sounds like a lot to process. I hope you get plenty of rest, but if there are any more funny tidbits from your journey that you left out, please don’t hold out on us in future episodes!
We are a funny people-- Chaya Leah you told this tale with classic Jewish humor and grace. The title of the episode is perfection. I was laughing and then crying. I felt so proud to be Jewish when you described all the people helping along the way. You had a huge responsibility placed on your shoulders (with little readily available information), and you rose to the occasion.
Yael, A BIG SHOUT TO YOU TOO! When I was done, I thought- wow, she's a really really good friend. Like a once-in-a-lifetime-keep-forever-kind of friend. You didn't minimize or invalidate Chaya Leah's experience- you were so empathetic and supportive and loving without trying to compare the current situation in Israel (which is obviously harrowing). Not that I thought you would invalidate- but it's really a remarkable trait. You both show us how friendship can run deep. Thanks for this remarkable episode.
What an episode. So glad that you're back, Chaya Leah.
Chaya, I listened and cried like a baby the entire time, my daughter was part of this experience and the story is - well - one could not have written a movie with all the twists and turns. There were a few things that you left out of your story
* on the cruise ship at about 5:00 pm, my daughter and her friends look up and see a missile heading straight for the boat - the Navy and the Iron Dome took it out - they watched the entire thing - it seemed strange to me that they took all the kids passports away when they got on the boat, but they did not confiscate the cell phones, hence kids were posting online - which was obviously a security issue and almost got the ship blown up - I shudder to think of this
*she said in Cypress they were surrounded by police the entire time ( think G-d), and that there were people heckling them and lucky they had police protection
* on her specific group, once the boat docked the 2 leaders of the group LEFT them and got on a plane and flew out - they were left with NO group leader - this one puzzles me
*they moved her group to a kibbutz way down south and she said that because of this, they were not near a city ( which was good), the bangs and shuddering from the interceptions over them was scary
Overall I think we all understand the chaotic and unique situation that everyone was in and the behind the scenes organizing that must have gone on - I thank G-d for Chabad, for all of you and for their safe return. I just thought I would add a few things to your story