People often ask me how Belev Echad started. How did this powerful organization helping Israel’s wounded soldiers get off the ground?
Well, it all started in 2009, shortly after we established Chabad Israel Center on the Upper East Side. We invited some yeshiva students to help spread the mitzvah of lulav and etrog over the holiday of Sukkot. One of those students was Avi Shlomo, who later married my sister, and another was Laima Barber, today the Chabad rabbi in Mauritius. It was Laima who approached me with the idea of bringing wounded IDF soldiers over. “It would be great for the community,” he said. “People will love it!”
I must admit, I was skeptical. I knew the logistics would be immense and the expenses would be staggering, especially for a relatively new Chabad center.
But, when Hashem has a plan, He makes things happen.
I woke up one morning towards the end of 2009 to a notification of a new donation through our website from a name I did not recognize. Ella* had signed up for a $54 recurring monthly donation. I called to thank her, and she explained that she had just moved from a small town in Europe and Googled “Jewish center in NYC,” since she wanted to join a community. She had found our website and decided to join our Chai club. I thanked her profusely and she became an active participant in our shul and at our events.
In early 2010 we started planning our first Belev Echad trip. I had been hesitant due to costs, and I was not wrong. Again and again donors turned me down. I couldn’t convince anyone to buy into the dream. I started to give up and concede that it was impossible, but Ella stepped in. She had been my cheerleader all along, seeing my vision and encouraging me to take steps and approach donors. Now, seeing my despair, she said she would make it happen and wrote a check for $25,000.
And that is how Belev Echad was launched.
On our first trip in 2010, Ella met and enjoyed spending time with the soldiers. She was very pleased we’d pulled it off and happy with her tzedakah investment.
But shortly afterwards, she moved back to Europe and we lost touch. Her email bounced back and her cell was disconnected. I had no other way of reaching her. I’ve thought of her often throughout the years, and would love for her to see how much Belev Echad has grown, and how far her encouragement and initial donation have taken us. I wish she could come to one of our 1000-person galas.
It’s impossible to think about this without seeing Hashem’s input. Clearly, He wanted this to happen. Yes, it was Laima’s idea and then Ella’s contribution that got things going, but He is the one Who brought them into my life.
What is the likelihood that a woman from Europe would move to New York, look for a Jewish center and just chance upon ours? That she would become a regular attendee and contributor? That she would have the means and determination to help us get our idea off the ground?
This is Hashgacha Pratis—Divine Providence—at its most evident. Hashem is our foremost partner. He chose us to have the incredible honor of hosting and helping hundreds of wounded IDF soldiers. He chose Laima Barber to come to us with the idea. And He chose Ella to help us facilitate that idea. And for that, I am very grateful.
Ella* if you see this—or anyone who knows her—please reach out! We’d love to catch up.
*Name changed to protect privacy
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Uriel Vigler