Heiman’s Bus Driver Bar Mitzvah’d During Breakdown

A Heiman’s bus traveling from New York packed with people broke down in Plattsburgh, NY early Friday morning on its way to Montreal. During the three and a half hour wait for a new bus, the driver received an impromptu Bar Mitzvah after several Lubavitchers discovered that he was Jewish.

At around 4:45 AM, the bus exited off the 87 and pulled over in the Price Chopper parking lot of Plattsburgh, NY. The driver then turned on the microphone and informed the passengers that there was a problem with frozen pipes and the bus will need repairs. “A new bus will be coming soon,” he said.

For the next three and half hours, people chatted, tried to sleep, and shushed their babies. Some called family and friends; others stepped off the bus to catch some fresh air. Eventually, the driver joined in a conversation, and revealed that he is a Jew. Several Lubavitchers then asked him if he had ever laid Tefillin, and he told them he hadn’t. “Then let’s make you a Bar Mitzvah right here!”

One of the men then helped the driver put on Tefillin, and they recited the Shema together. Then the driver added some personal prayers in English. As he was finishing the prayers, the replacement bus pulled up. It was 8:06.

Passengers were asked to transfer all their luggage and carry-ons to the new bus. As the Lubavitchers exited the bus that had broken down, they handed the driver his own Menorah, along with a set of instructions. ”At first it was a bit crazy, but when we found out he was a Yid and made him a bar mivtzah it really was nice,” said Yisrael Cohen.

The new bus left the parking lot at 8:25 and continued to Montreal without incident.