Long Island, NY – Rabbi Charles Klein took a quick spin around the Merrick Jewish Centre parking lot in a brand new red compact fire truck. The truck had just arrived at the center from Wisconsin and will be on its way to Israel.
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For Klein, the truck represented the biggest gift his 700-member congregation could give; a water pump to Sderot, an Israeli town frequently hit by Palestinian rockets launched from the nearby Gaza Strip in the ongoing conflict between the two sides.
During a meeting with his congregation months ago, Klein asked members if they would donate $100,000 toward building the truck and sending it to Israeli towns in need.
"The town comes under rocket attacks every week and many people have been seriously injured and have had a lot of property damage," Klein said following a dedication at the center. "There is a particular need for fire vehicles."
Klein, who visited Israel recently, said a small delegation of about 50 members would tour Sderot in the summer to see the truck in action.
"The town is having a tough time," said Dr. Steven Kussin, president of the Merrick Jewish Centre. "Maybe we'll save some lives."
Satmar used to send fire trucks to the Klausenberger Rebbe’s ZT”L’s shtible.
The Klasenberger Rebbe Shlita is in eretz Yisroel now, do you think it’s a coincidence?
I hope ElAl has room on thier “shomer shabbos” flights for this one!