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Letter: Our Miraculous Wedding

The following letter was sent to CrownHeights.info by Refael and Sarah (nee Procaccia) Cohen, whose wedding – set to take place Thursday night, September 4th – had to be rescheduled for Friday morning after the groom was denied entry into the United States and sent back to Brazil by Customs and Border Protection. As promised, the full story of their ordeal and ultimate triumph are presented to our readers:

While we were asked to share the details of what transpired, we realized that what is needed is not the retelling. What is needed is to focus on the message and what it means to us, to our families, and what it should mean to everyone, particularly as we are getting closer to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.

So we will briefly share our experience: Upon arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Airport a couple of days before the Wedding, the Chosson was detained by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 12 hours, stating that he didn’t have proof that he would live in Brazil, and sent him on a flight back.

The families immediately took action, and through the efforts of a number of individuals: lawyers, judges, rabbis, diplomats and ambassadors, in the end, we were able to get a new visa in four hours, which normally takes eight months after being deported.

Baruch Hashem, we were able to make the wedding on Erev Shabbos, 18 hours after the originally scheduled time.

I never understood the meaning of the Rebbe’s words, “Moshiach is here, we just need to open our eyes.” But I was able to understand the answer when I was at the Consulate trying to get a new visa in four hours. As I waited, my only Tefila was for a Nes, as I had no other way to accomplish what needed to be done in a humanly manner. I and everyone helping me had already done all that we could.

It says in the Gemara that since the Creation of the World, Hashem is making zivugim. The Gemara further explains why he does this versus anything else: because it is the most miraculous thing in our world; two opposites given the ability to connect. In other words, a Nes.

My prayer was that if this is what he actually does, that he should please do his part. And this is the response to the question I have always had. If we had in our minds the saying —— we would be able to see physically that it is how it actually is. If we have true Bitachon in Hashem, then we are able to see in a revealed fashion how he is there for us always. And this is Moshiach: Gilui Shechina- the Revelation of the Shechina. The only thing we need to do is to believe, trust and put ourselves in his hands. When we do this, we are able to see him and the good and the miracles that he does for us every day of our lives. The answer is Hashem.

We can clearly see and understand how Areivim Ze LaZe… We are responsible to be there for each other in times of need. How much we can accomplish if we all come together.

We would like to thank everyone who helped us in the process, both in the US and in Brazil. We admire the unity of our Communities and Am Yisroel. We thank the Rebbe, and always, above all, Hashem. We would like to wish everyone Ketiva VeChatima Tova LeShanah Tovah UMetukah.

Refael and Sarah

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9 Comments

  • wow

    wow this story is such a beautiful story and it made me cry I am so proud of both both families and especially The Chossan who had worked hard and spend all these hours of coming to Crown Heights and I hope Brazil should be ashamed of themselves what they have done to you chosson now to your wife the Kallah I am sure she was very worried and very stressed and very frustrated and all of the above in her heart she loves you so much the main thing is that you’re both together that is important excellent story keep up the good work

    • What?!

      Indeed a beautiful story full of blessings and even more admirable the way that the new couple explains it. Beautiful! Mazel tov!!! As for your comments – Please, contain your loshon hora – don’t ruin it – or at least, think before your write! What does Brazil have to do with this?! Why should they be ashamed?!?! Brazil has NOTHING to do with this. The Chatan needed a US visa to enter the country (issued by the US goverment!) – obviously had one because he was allowed to board the plane to the US (the airline would not have allowed him to board without a visa)- however, a visa is no guarantee of entry – this is at the discretion of the “port of entry” – in this case Detroit, USA – which for some reason did not believe the Chatan’s story and sent him back to his country (Brazil – which has no business on this!!!!). Baruch HaShem when he got back in Brazil there were already people involved in helping the Chatan with the UNITED STATES goverment so that he could get a new visa and at this time not be denied entry. Baruch HaShem! Hopefully you understood now and will not bad mouth Brazil that has NOTHING to do with this case.

  • Robyne Bush

    Refael and Sarah…..how happy I am to see that! Sarah, as usual….you continue to be an inspiration to us all. May you only know happiness, however, had I known you were only an hour away in Detroit…..I would have broke the sound barrier to get to you!

  • Raizy

    To my dear Rafi and Sarah,
    May you experience much happiness together, in peace and tranquility, and may your home be a proper resting place for the Shechina!
    May Hashem Grant you many wonderful children whose outstanding character will be a testimony to the miracle that brought you two together — at the right time and the right place! ;)
    Much love to my dear sister and my new brother,

    Raizy

  • TAMMY

    DEAR SARAH,
    I am sooooo happy for you.
    May you have a wonderful environment for children to grow up in.
    yours truly,
    TAMAR

  • Bella

    If it is meant to be, it will be!! And, you thought good and it was good!! Mazel Tov! May you only know Happiness and Good Health!

  • one of the bridesmaids

    The wedding was awesome, and we would all appreciate that people should not say loshon harah about this wedding because:
    1. you are being rude and insensitive to other people’s privacy
    2. you are hurting who hears it, yourself, and THE PEOPLE WHO IT IS SAID ABOUT

    So please do everyone a favor, and keep loshon harah to yourself….do NOT make anyone suffer from it because you have a horrible desire to say it!! Thank you.