A group of bachurim once rented a cottage for bein hazmanim on a private beach. The other residents were all quiet, older non-Jewish couples, and the boys made an effort to be polite and friendly. One neighbor remarked, “Groups of teenagers come up for the summer in the past, but they were always rowdy, with no consideration for the neighbors. They drank a lot and left bottles and cans all over. But you boys are different. You are so refined and polite!”
On the last night in the cottage, the bachurim held a kumzitz around a bonfire, singing slow songs. The neighbors came out to sit on their porches and enjoy the music.
The next year, the boys decided to search for another summer rental. This time, most of the homes were booked. Finally, they found a vacant cottage, but the owner’s wife was discouraging. “My husband doesn’t rent to anyone under 25,” she said, “But you can call back later and speak to him yourselves.”
With nothing to lose, the bachurim called back, and to their surprise, the landlord agreed. “My house is in the city where you went last summer,” he said, “and I was impressed by the way you behaved. I know that I can trust you with my house.”
Reproduced from Living Kiddush Hashem by Rabbi Shraga Freedman with permission of the copyright holders, ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
