Dear all…
It is generally believed that a community draws its character and style from the geographical background in which it is positioned. Coming from a hot-tempered middle- east environment, namely: Israel, I expected the Halifax Jewish community to be, somewhat more mild; le
ss bubbly and less warm (for better as for worst) as fitting its climate. I was in for a surprise.
It seems the Jewish DNA carries certain elementary traits wherever it goes. And we know it goes and goes and gets to just about EVERYWHERE! What is the basic composition that makes up a Jewish community per se?
Upon reflection one cannot escape the obvious. It is CHESSED. Chessed Chessed and Chessed. Indeed our ancestors in the Mishna (pirkei Avot…) tell us there are three “midot”/measurements that are found in abundance in the basic character of “the sons of Abraham” the third is “gomlei chasadim” i.e the followers of Abraham (by geneology or by theology) are those who act charitably towards their fellow men (or women of course). So from the heat of the desert where our forefather Abraham built a four sided tent- all sides open for the wary traveler, from his burning God fearing and Man-loving heart, bursted the Chessed DNA that flows through Jewish veins till today-hopefully till the end of days. I would like to humbly signal out but 2 examples of such Jewish manifestations that occurred here at our very own community in Halifax. The first goes back exactly a century ago (April 15th 1912), the second, proving the first to be no fluke, 11 years ago 9/11/01.
At (April 15th 1912) when the ostentatious Titanic tragically sunk at the shore of the west, coast havoc reined. However, from the Gehenom that forever left its mark on American history, there emerged a few sparks of pure benevolence, a few less known anecdotes that perhaps have not received their rightful recognition till recently. This is where the warm and Chessed-oriented people who make up their thriving community to be as it is till today- played up their role to the very best of human kindness.
Go to the Jewish cemetery, and you will be able to see a number of black gravestones. These unique memorial monuments belong to Jews killed in the Titanic, afterwards respectfully buried among the community’s departed. As for the survivors, they were generously hosted by the people of the congregation.
Talking about Chessed in the Titanic, I must also mention Mr. Binyamin Gugenheim and Mr. Izidor Straus, both extremely wealthy Jews who had the opportunity to save themselves since the limited rescue boats available were offered to them, and they refused saving their own lives before all the women and sick were saved.
9/11 – just recently I heard that few airplanes which were left without place to land, arrived actually to Halifax. Not asking to many questions, not waiting any spare time (against the ‘Haligonian pace of life’..) houses of the congregants were filled with confused passengers.
I thank Hashem for belonging to His people. I also thank my new community in Halifax for the privilege of joining and serving in their midst.
Amram Maccabi