Donor Thanks Spring 2023

‫ב״ה‬ SPRING 2023 EDITION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Oneg Chanukah Home Again Shabbat in Phuket

BANGKOK | KOH SAMUI | PHUKET | CHIANG MAI | LAOS | PAI

ONEG RABBI NECHEMYA WILHELM CHABAD OF BANGKOK Friday night Oneg at Chabad of Bangkok —, where guests share their personal stories of love and courage, sing songs of hope and joy, and create deep connections within the Jewish nation.

Mrs. Cheryl Mandel from Israel, stands to share a few words. Her son Daniel, a”h was killed in Shechem during an operation to capture terrorists.

"When Daniel was in the army, he went on a 90kilometer trek with his unit. Halfway through, his commander said, “Mandel — carry the machine gun the rest of the way.” Even though he wasn’t prepared for the additional 26 lb weight, Daniel took it, and finished the route with great difficulty, collapsing at the end. Afterwards, when we asked why he didn’t complain about the load, he told us, "When the commander gives you a bag, you carry it without asking questions."

“Those words are Daniel's legacy to me. The Almighty — the Commander-in-chief — gave me a bag that is not light or easy, but even so I carry it without complaining."

Before Cheryl sits down, she suggests we begin a festive Purim song. I tell her how amazing it is that she chose such a joyous song despite the sadness she’s lived with. She responds by asking to share one more story.

“I have a friend who also lost her son. She was sad and broken. One day I noticed she looked happier, and was smiling more so I asked her what had happened. She told me "Last night I dreamed I was in a large, bright room filled with lots of food and happy people. Then I saw my son in the corner, alone and sad. I asked him, “Why aren’t you happy like everyone else here?” And he said, "How can I be happy when my mother is so sad?" Then I realized that I must try to be happy — even if it’s only to make my son happy.”

In front of Cheryl, Yossi starts to open up about his story. Yossi describes his father as a difficult person who would get into fights — with himself, his sister friends, community members, work colleagues — ,everyone around him. About a year and a half ago, doctors diagnosed Yossi’s father with a terminal illness. From the moment of the diagnosis, Yossi not only decided to reconcile with his father, he committed to making peace between his dad and every person he’d fought with. One after another, Yossi made contact on behalf of his father. Within a few weeks, dozens of people from all over Israel — who had been angry at his father — were visiting him in the hospital and praying for him.

A few hours before Yossi’s father passed away, he called his son over, visibly touched by the whole experience. “I want to bless you Yossi, how can I bless you?” his father asked him.

“Don’t bless me. Please bless your eldest daughter instead — my sister who has been married for many years and has no children yet. Bless her to have a child soon.” Yossi’s father blessed her. Yossi finished his story, "My father passed away about a year ago.

Last month, my 46-year-old sister gave birth to a healthy son.”

Shlomi, sitting next to Yossi, is crying now. He stands up and says, “I also have something to share. I was in Singapore on Wednesday, on my way to Sri Lanka. When I got to check in, the flight attendant told me that I couldn’t fly without a return ticket. By the time I went through the airport to buy the return ticket, I missed my flight and the airlines gave me a ticket to Thailand instead. I landed yesterday wondering, “Why do I need to be in Thailand now?”

“Sitting here, listening to your stories, I can tell you why I am here in Bangkok tonight.”

“I’ve also been at odds with my father for a long time. When Cheryl spoke about the son who can't be happy when his mother is sad, I thought about my father’s sadness because we don’t speak. After hearing Yossi share how he brought peace between his father and everyone who knew him, it’s clear to me what I need to do. I will return to Israel and make peace and reconnect with my father.”

CHABAD OF THAILAND DONOR APPRECIATION NEWSLETTER

BANGKOK | KOH SAMUI | PHUKET | CHIANG MAI | LAOS | PAI

Derek and his adorable children enjoying the Chanukah party and the after-party candle lighting at home.

CHANUKAH DEREK HALPERN BANGKOK, THAILAND Derek Halpern, moved to Bangkok ten years ago from Great Neck, NY. He’s grateful that his children get to experience the joy, enthusiasm, and love of Judaism from being part of the community.

Chanukah is THE event my kids talk about and look forward to all year. Delicious kosher food, live music, and a festive atmosphere kick off a holiday to remember. My kids joined Rabbi Kantor on stage for lighting the menorah, excited to be in the limelight and to get bags of gelt. They came home glowing.

After lighting our own menorah, we looked at pictures and video from the party, reliving the experience and keeping the joy strong and alive.

Every night of Chanukah becomes a time of great happiness in our home.

As a father whose greatest desire is to give my children meaning and values to guide them in today’s confusing world, I am filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for the opportunity to give them what to hold onto when they battle what’s out there throughout their lives. And grateful for the joy and happiness they experience in it, thanks to you.

HOME AGAIN OR SAPIR NETANYA, ISRAEL I’ve never seen something like Shabbat at Chabad of Thailand. The sheer numbers of people sitting together, the storytelling and singing — the experience even before Shabbat dinner starts — is incredible and filled with happiness.

Every Friday I try to go to Chabad. For one, two, or three hours, you can slip out of Asia and feel like you’re back home again until it’s over and you return to real life — it’s a crazy contrast.

Thank you for building community and strengthening Judaism for the thousands of Jews traveling through this area. I can't think of anywhere else you can make such a large impact on so many Jews.

PEOPLE SITTING TOGETHER, THE STORYTELLING AND SINGING — THE ATMOSPHERE IS INCREDIBLE AND FILLED WITH HAPPINESS.

Cover: Jelly doughnuts with Chabad of Pai. Left: Jewish Workshop with Chabad of Bangkok Bottom Right: Kosher food in Chabad of Chiang Mai, hanging out at Chabad of Phuket, Chanukah lighting on Patong Beach, Family Challah bake with Beth Elisheva, Teen Tu B'Shvat event in Bangkok, Hospital visit Back: Menorah on Patong Beach, Phuket

Dear Friend, I recently spent Shabbat at Chabad of Phuket with over 1200 guests.

Hundreds of Jews stream into the social hall on Friday night. They look for seats, sometimes quibbling until they arrange themselves. Sharing your space with so many others is not always easy.

As everyone sings ‘Shalom Aleichem’ welcoming the Shabbat angels and enjoy Kiddush wine and fresh challah, the ice begins to melt and conversations start flowing.

When the atmosphere is just right, the rabbi takes the floor and leads a joyous and spirited medley of songs which culminates in ‘kol ha’olam kulo gesher tzar me’od’ – ‘the whole words is like a narrow bridge, the main thing being, not to fear anything at all,’ because G-d is with each and every one of us.

By now, the younger ones are standing on their chairs and all of the guests without exception are singing exuberantly, the magic is complete. The people have now merged and joined to be brothers and sisters, united as one family.

I wish I could bring you there. Because it is you who provides and supports this life changing experience.

Week after week. Month after month. One Jew at a time. It is this transformative and therapeutic warmth that we seek to export to Israel.

Thanks for what you do. Thanks for providing hospitality for the thousands of guests Thailand every Shabbat.

Happy Purim and joyous preparations for Pesach, Rabbi Yosef Kantor Director, Chabad of Thailand

SPONSOR PESACH IN THAILAND BRING JOY - WARMTH - CONNECTION TO THOUSANDS OF YOUNG JEWS

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHABAD OF THAILAND 80 SHORE ROAD | PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK 11050

WWW.JEWISHTHAILAND.COM/SEDER

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EIN 030498942

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