Dear
Friends of Operation Refuah,
I
would like to thank all of you for joining Operation
Refuah, a worldwide grassroots organization that promotes
Ahavat Yisrael · Love for one's fellow Jew - in an attempt
to bring merit to the ill and bountiful blessings to
Klal Yisrael.
Volunteers
the world over have expressed their enthusiasm for Operation
Refuah. Mr. Saul Behr of South Africa says, "I think
that Operation Refuah is an admirable initiative, and
I believe that it can have a profound effect on this
world." States another volunteer, Dr. Art Segal of South
Carolina, USA, "The idea of love for our fellow Jews
regardless of where or how they worship and for Shalom
Bayit in the Jewish community is spreading due to the
pamphlets and posters of Operation Refuah."
Each
of every one of is making a big differennce in this
world by increasing Ahavat Yisrael.
Some
of you have been kind enough to distribute our brochures,
posters, and scrolls in your communities, which serve
as reminders to practice the mitzvah of V'Ahavta L'Reyacha
Kamocha - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. (If anyone
would like brochures, posters, or scrolls for their
community please e-mail us at info@operationrefuah.org).
Jews
from Austria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil (thank you,
Mr. Versiani!!), Canada, England, France, Gibraltar,
Israel, Italy, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, the United
States, and Uruguay have signed our "Chaverim Kol Yisrael
- All Jews are Friends" scroll/petition thereby signifying
their renewed commitment to the mitzvah of V'Ahavta
L'Reyacha Kamocha. M.A. Jacobs, our volunteer in Israel
who goes to the Kotel every Rosh Chodesh to read the
names from our scroll and pray for the ill in the merit
of those who have dedicated themselves to the goals
of Operation Refuah, explains, "It's a very special,
rewarding, and satisfying feeling to read the names
and be part of the effort. People go to the Kotel for
many different reasons, but when I take the names to
read there I get the feeling that I'm taking all the
people behind those names and all their aspirations
with me." For the text of the scroll (or to sign your
name and country) see our website at www.operationrefuah.org
or e-mail us at info@operationrefuah.org.
Others
have participated in our cholim name-exchange project
where tzedaka has been given in the merit of someone
else's loved one - a most meaningful way to fulfill
the mitzvah of V'Ahavta L'Reyacha Kamocha. (A very special
thanks to a very special woman in England who has graciously
given tzedaka and prayed for numerous cholim.) One woman
wrote to us about her mother, whose name was given to
another Jew so that tzedaka could be given in her merit,
"I believe that because of you and people like you she
is doing better..." For further information on this
project please e-mail us info@operationrefuah.org.
The
compassion that we show toward each other through practicing
the mitzvah of V'Ahavta L'Reyacha Kamocha has tremendous
potential to bring good things for all of us. We would
like to share a special "V'Ahavta L'Reyacha Kamocha
Moment" that we received at our world headquarters:
"Awhile
ago a speaker who I had heard previously and briefly
met was coming to speak in my community. Even though
it meant going by myself (something I loathe doing),
I decided to go and hear her. I was sitting at a table
with many other women, acquaintances, and new faces,
and as I am rather reserved I just sat I my 'emotional
lonely corner' feeling like a sore thumb. Anyway the
speaker arrived and proceeded to go to her place in
the front. As she did, she passed me, recognized me,
and just put her hand on my shoulder. Well that small
- what she might consider insignificant - gesture cheered
me up not only then but whenever I recall the incident.
So Ahavas Yisrael is the small things as well as the
mind-blowing ones (like establishing a fantastic organization)."
Here
is a short D'var Torah to inspire us to continue our
efforts toward fulfilling the mitzvah of V'Ahavta L'Reyacha
Kamocha:
On
one occasion, when Rabbi Finkel (of Lithuania, 1849-1927)
was leading the congregation in prayer, he kept stumbling
on the pronunciation of words. Those present were amazed,
since Rabbi Finkel always pronounced each word precisely.
The congregants soon understood the reason for the Rabbi's
uncharacteristic difficulty. There was a mourner in
the synagogue who had difficulty reading Hebrew, and
when he read from the prayer book, people laughed or
smiled. In order to lessen the mourner's embarrassment,
Rabbi Finkel acted as if he could not read any better.
(From
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, 1977, published
by Aish HaTorah, Jerusalem)
These
stories and others reflect the words of Operation Refuah
participant James K. Feldman of Ohio, "Any Jew can do
a mitzvah for any other Jew at any time - it is only
necessary to indicate to G-d a willingness to serve
and then look around for that special moment. An opportunity
will present itself every time!" A much admired Rabbi
once said, "We must never overlook - indeed rather greatly
emphasize the so-called 'small and unsophisticated'
things that each modest congregation, moreover each
individual, can and must do - beginning with the old,
yet ever-anew, Jewish way, collectively as one people
and also as individuals...."
SO
LET US ALL CONTINUE TO HELP TURN THINGS AROUND....BOTH
AS ONE PEOPLE AND AS INDIVIDUALS!!!
All
the very best,
Sheila Nashofer, Editor
Operation
Refuah Newsletter
info@operationrefuah.org
