I was visiting the Tzemach Tzedek shul in the Old City of Yerushalayim last summer. I noticed one man who kept staring at me. Finally he came over and introduced himself.
“I’m David*,” he said, shaking my hand. “Are you the rabbi in Key West?”
“Yes,” I answered surprised. “How do you know who I am?”
“Mah pitom?” he said. “You and your wife’s food brought me back to Judaism!” I couldn’t remember him or what he was referring to, so he explained. “Years ago, a friend and I went to Florida after completing our army service. We had a wild night in South Beach, partying it up. We heard Key West was the place to go for after parties, so we hopped in the car and drove down.
“When we got there, we couldn’t find any after parties, but we met a few other Israelis in the shopping district. We were just hanging around with them when you showed up, looking for a minyan. When you spotted us, you headed right over and asked us to join your minyan. We kept trying to refuse, but you wouldn’t take no for an answer. You promised it would just take ten minutes, so we finally gave in and followed you.
“Of course, it took a lot longer than ten minutes, since you still had to find the rest of your minyan. Then you tried to convince us to stay for Arvit. We were famished and just wanted to get out and get something to eat, so we said no. You were clearly desperate, and you promised to serve us supper if we stayed for Arvit.
“After davening, your wife brought out plates full of food, fish, potato kugel, kishke - the works.
“But that davening, and the chat we had while we ate, made me think about my Judaism for the first time in many, many years. It inspired me to learn more, and now, you see me as I am today - a proud, Torah observant Jew!”
*Names changed to protect privacy
