Rabbi Shraga Freedman of Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation Shared the following story with TLS:
Around a week ago, Yossi Sturman (name changed) was flying to Atlanta from Jackson, New Jersey. He had a return flight that same evening, but it was delayed before finally boarding.
Yossi had upgraded to Economy Plus, but once seated, a flight attendant asked if he’d switch so a mother and daughter could sit together. He wasn’t sure why they asked him, but he felt they saw a visibly Jewish passenger and assumed he’d agree — even though it meant giving up his upgrade.
He agreed and moved to a seat all the way in the back, right in front of an elderly couple.
Mid-flight, bad weather forced the plane, originally headed for Newark, to divert to Albany. After refueling, they were supposed to continue, but the flight was eventually canceled. At 11:30 p.m., passengers found themselves stuck in Albany’s tiny airport, scrambling for options.
The older couple behind him, probably in their seventies, were clearly panicking. Yossi turned to them and asked, “Can I help you somehow?” They told him there was nothing to do — they were stranded. He asked where they needed to go. “Jackson, New Jersey,” they said.
Yossi smiled. “That’s where I’m going too. I’m booking an Uber — it’s about four hours. You can split it with me if you’d like.” They gratefully accepted.
In the chaos of baggage claim, everyone was trying to grab an Uber. Yossi managed to find a driver but had to pay extra to hold him. He ran to find the couple and he helped them with their bags and got them to the waiting car.
On the long ride, they talked. The couple said they were from Louisiana, visiting their daughter in Jackson.
Around 2:00 a.m., the older woman turned to Yossi. “Can I be honest with you?” she asked. “We’re evangelical Christians. We love Jews. But our daughter converted to Catholicism and resents the Jewish families moving into Jackson. She says they’re changing the schools and ruining the neighborhood. “But I’m going to tell her this story. I’m going to tell her there’s not one Catholic your age — not one 35-year-old — who would have done what you did tonight. Waiting for us, helping us, covering the extra cost. You’re a Jew who did that. And I want her to know.”
We keep hearing stories like this again and again. Hashem’s hashgachah constantly places us in positions to make a Kiddush Hashem — big or small. This story had so many twists that gave Yossi the chance to step up: the seat switch, the weather diversion, the canceled flight, the elderly couple sitting right behind him. Each detail led to this opportunity.
With our explosive growth and all the news, we’re given endless opportunities to show the world who we really are. We just have to be ready — constantly living as mekadshei Hashem.
(This story was heard firsthand.)
——–
You can Email [email protected] for a free file of a sefer and a booklet of stories.
What are beautiful kiddush Hashem.
May Hashem give him lots of Hatzlacha with everything he needs and may we all follow in his ways and learn from him.
The reward for kiddush Hashem is unlimited and unimaginable
100%
The Hate Of Catholics against jews are out of hand just ask Tucker and Candace its bassically the right wing catholics that dont stop blaming the jews
Wow that is some broad stroke you just painted every single Catholic with. If that was said about the Jewish people and religion everyone would be called anti-semitic.
While this story is very kind and thoughtful of this man to do such a thing I too can tell a similar story of travel when missing a connecting flight from DC to Roanoke, renting a car and asking 4 other people going to the same area (3 of which were college students) if they wanted a ride and asking nothing in return. Neither should have anything to do with what religion they are but how they were raised.
Wrong. The majority of Right wing catholics are Evangelics, not other denominations. Please get your facts about catholis correct before posting. BTW, Candace is probably a member of a colored church.
Yossi, while the people that you mentioned have been extremely Anti-Semitic it is absolutely uncalled for to blame an entire religion on two bigots.
I have many Catholic, Christian, and Muslim neighbors that have been nothing but supportive, friendly, and helpful!
Living as a Rabbi in Jackson has been an absolute pleasure for the last 8 years.
Let’s continue to be a shining light and highlight each others positive so we can all grow and reside peacefully.
God Bless America!
That is no more true than any religious stereotype. Catholics recognize Jesus who is Jewish. The fundamentalist factions of religion tend to be the types that have hate in their doctrine.
It’s unwise to paint all Catholics as antisemites.
Yossi, (I know this is not your real name), but I hope you see this message.
I was reading this article and had tears in my eyes! You made such a KIDISH HASHEM; it’s unbelievable!
Hashem should BENCH YOU with GEZUNT PARNOSAH AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED AND WANT!!!!
Let’s also make a kiddush Hashem locally, specifically with the way we drive which is where we interact with people not from our community. Let’s cut down on the aggressive driving. You can let someone make that annoying left turn across all lanes in front of you. When someone lets you turn in front of them you can roll down your window and give them a thank you wave. It won’t hurt. It pains me to see how so many times I need to make a difficult turn it’s someone from another community who stops to let me do it.