lia. Then she found out it was in Alice Springs, thousands of miles from her family or any other Jew.
She struggled for months, feeling lonely, isolated, and forgotten. She started to doubt G-d even cared about her.
“Last night was especially difficult,” Penny told us. “My husband works long hours, and I have a young son who needs constant attention. I really missed my family and the support I so badly need. I was desperate. I started speaking to G-d, asking if He heard me, and if I mattered to Him.
“This morning was even worse. My son refused to cooperate, which made me late for work. I was late to drop him off at daycare, and he reacted badly to my stress. As I walked back to my car, I knew G-d had given me an answer. He didn’t hear me. I didn’t matter to Him. I whispered one last time for a sign to show me He’s with me and I’m not all on my own.
“Then I looked across the street and saw you! A real rabbi! I knew G-d had sent you here for me.”
We hugged and wiped away our tears, and promised to come by later to meet her son and discuss Judaism.
The film crew might have missed the encounter they’d been hoping to capture for so long, but it gave me the answer and reassurance I needed that our work had value and our shlichus was important, despite the many challenges!
