The following is a letter from Bentzi Inzelbuch, who was among the first group of volunteers from Lakewood in Texas after Hurricane Harvey.
From the minute we touched down in Austin and headed for Houston, my phone kept ringing and text messages kept coming from people I never knew or heard of before. People were worried about us and where we were going to stay. People were thanking us for coming down, and offering us their homes.
The city of Houston and the Lakewood Houston Kollel has changed my life. It made me feel back at home when I was so many miles away. From the Rosh Kollel bringing us over a warm card and gift to show his appreciation, to a random neighbor bringing us over a cookie platter – our stay was unbelievable and I’ll always remember the warm and loving people who took such good care of us.
I want to take this time to thank you all for making this trip successful and a big Kiddush Hashem, and showing the world how amazing Lakewood is, and will always be!
Reb Aaron Kotler, thank you for putting me in contact with some of Houston’s amazing people that I never knew existed, and who have impacted me tremendously. Thank you for being the backbone of the trip and knowing that if we had a issue, you were there to help us.
Jack, thank you very much for the place to stay and for everything we needed throughout the trip. The beds, food and offering to have our laundry done, was unreal. We felt as if we were at our own homes throughout the stay. If I can ever repay you when you come to Lakewood, please don’t hesitate.
Rabbi Friedman (Executive Director, Lakewood Kollel of Houston), thank you so much for taking care of us and setting everything up for us. The Friday night meal at Bressler, to the Shabbos day meal at your place was unbelievable, and the food was amazing. The warmth we got from the Houston community, and especially from the Kollel, made us think “why don’t we move here!” “Why don’t we make a Bais Medrash here, this place is awesome!” “Who wouldn’t want to be here?” is what we all asked ourselves.
If I can be of any help in the future, or back home in Lakewood, please contact me anytime.
Thank you
Bentzi Inzelbuch
Yoniiiiiii!!!
Lakewoods Next Mayor!
Go bentzi! You rock! Hopefully Florida won’t need you next week…
I was in Houston for Shabbos 2 yrs ago. The Avos U’Bonim program Shabbos afternoon couldve been ant Lkwd Shul. It was K’nocking. And I thought to myself: why dont I move here ?? Efsher takeh ! Im w you, Bentzi !!
They have seforim and diet coke in texas?
You are all so wonderful for going to Texas to help out the residents there. I am a former Lakewood resident now residing in Boynton Beach, Fl. Hopefully we will not need you men here. But you are all definitely a group of Mensches. May G-D Bless you all.
Sincerely,
Amy Levenson Mergner
bentz MORADIK!! its so mazing how you went there to help and walked out with them helping you in so many ways!! your great bentz and you should continue to help yidden when ever you can. you don’t stop you never say no. you have the biggest heart and you continue to reach out and do for not only your community but for all of klal yisrael. you bh grew up in a home that was so inviting and so warm and it clearly passed on to you and your family. you once again went somewhere to do chesed and made a tremendous impact on that place and its residence. keep doing what your doing Bentz your terrific a real Kiddush Hashem!! reb Michoel I know your proud!!