12 Years of an Emotional Journey: Tefillin Around the World

The following story unfolds between France and Israel. It is not related to the current terror affecting these regions; rather, it highlights the good-heartedness of special messengers. The story of the tefillin encircling the globe has moved many people.

It all started with two boys, aged 16 and 17, who emigrated from the Soviet Union and began strengthening their religious observance. They reached the 'Or Israeli' youth movement, led by Rabbi Grossman of Migdal HaEmek. There, the staff discovered that these boys had never seen tefillin. Even the traditional ceremony, often held in non-observant homes, was never performed for them, and they never put on tefillin.

In situations requiring serious effort, those around Rabbi Grossman typically turn to his former assistant, Israel Yart, whose heart remains tied to the place, and he never refuses a request. This time, the task was unexpectedly straightforward, largely thanks to WhatsApp, known for its positive impact in previous similar stories shared on Hidabroot.

Moshe Friedman - Head of the Coalition Group

Yart posted the following message in a group called "The Coalition," managed by media personality Moshe Friedman. The group includes key figures from Israel and abroad, all involved in public service to some degree.

"Dear and beloved friends. I have received a request from the Or Israeli Center in the South for two boys aged 16 and 17 who emigrated from the Soviet Union and have begun returning to religious observance. It turned out they have never put on tefillin. Their parents are not religious at all and never bought tefillin. The boys are Jewish according to halacha and are eager to put on tefillin. Who can help procure tefillin for these two boys? It's a huge merit. Perhaps with the help of Coalition members, we can arrange this?"

Five minutes later, a message arrived in the group from Menachem Brumer, a journalist living in France: "Yart - I'll take care of the tefillin."

"It was quite a shock," Yart recalls in a conversation with Hidabroot. "I thought I would have to tell the story to everyone individually and raise funds piece by piece, but I never imagined receiving a pair of tefillin so quickly."

Yigal, another tefillin donor (photo: Moshe Levi)

Members of the group could not stay indifferent and asked Brumer where he suddenly had a pair of tefillin. Brumer shared his story:

"It happened 12 years ago. I was en route to the United States to serve as a cantor during the High Holy Days. At the busiest airport I had ever seen, while waiting, I had to put on tefillin. I found a secluded spot away from the crowds and started. A Jewish man, at least 80 years old, approached me. 'What is this?' he asked, smiling, as if testing me. I began reciting *Shema Yisrael*, and to my surprise, he repeated each word with tears in his eyes. I thought he was just another Jew who hadn't grown up with Judaism, but then he asked me to put them on him as well. 'These are tefillin,' I explained. 'I know,' he replied. 'I once had such tefillin at my bar mitzvah.' Of course, I helped him put on the tefillin. At that moment, I realized I had to catch my flight. He then asked me how much tefillin cost. I told him about a thousand dollars. Without hesitation, he pulled out bills and counted them in front of me. 'Take this,' he said. 'Buy tefillin for someone who can't afford them.' I suggested perhaps he buy a pair for himself, but he said, 'I’ll get a set from Jews in New York.' We parted ways, and I carried his money, waiting for a chance to fulfill his request."

For 12 years, the tefillin waited with Brumer until Yart's message appeared in the group. He immediately uploaded a picture of the tefillin and even arranged for delivery to Israel with people traveling from France that week.

Quickly, and through that same group, a few more pairs of tefillin were organized from various donors. "The wonders of 'copy and paste,'" says Moshe Levi, head of logistics at United Hatzalah, who promptly forwarded the message to his contacts. He received feedback from Yigal of "Tzion Printing," who instantly decided to donate a pair of tefillin. "There’s someone else," Levi says, "who specifically donates tefillin—not food or money, just tefillin. Everyone joined in enthusiastically and promised to ensure the tefillin would reach the right place immediately."

Very soon, these will reach the hands of the boys, eager to own their own pair of tefillin. "Your people are all righteous."