Posted to Shlichus on

To Hug and Be Hugged By A 97 Year Old

by Rabbi Chaim Wolosow

Paul Snyderman is a resident at the Epoch Senior Health Care of Sharon he is kayn ayin hora 97 years old with all of his faculties intact. I used to visit him regularly every week, on Friday. He would always greet me with warmth and enthusiasm; he never failed to amaze me! What an incredible individual!

At the age of 90 he taught himself how to read Hebrew and how to daven. Not withstanding his age, being wheelchair bound and hooked up to oxygen, he is full of energy and life! Everyone in the facility knows Paul; he is friendly, polite, talks to everyone and is really entertaining.

He is unofficially in charge of the Yidishkeit going on in the health care Center. When I would visit he would take me around in his wheelchair to all the other Jewish residence in the center. We would put on Teffilin with the men and then have a Shabbat party with songs for all the residents. It was a real rewarding weekly experience.

Somehow in the tumult of life I stopped going, I would still make sure that whenever there were visiting yeshiva students they should go and visit him, but I really missed the times we spent together.

That is until I read on the Jewish Sharon blog that there was a 97 year old man looking for a pair of Teffilin. I said this must be Paul! So on Sunday I went to visit him, I helped him put on the Teffilin, it was a reunion of some sort. I think both of us experienced a true sense of real joy and happiness.

In addition to Paul, His son Edward happened to be visiting and of course I took the opportunity to put on the Teffilin on Edward as well. And I made a bl”n commitment to resume my weekly visits with this remarkable person and to try not to miss his weekly hug which has the power to hold you through till the next weeks hug. You realize you are receiving much more in return then what you are giving.

If you are in the neighborhood stop bye and say hello to Paul he will most certainly leave a lasting impression on anyone he meets.

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12 Comments

  • crown heights resident

    rabbi wolossow is a incredible man and a amazing shalaich. i recently heard him talk in 770 it was very nice. may he keep up the amazing work he does and bring moshaich now

  • A fan of R. Wolosow

    Go to chabadofsharon.com/study you will be amazed on the amount of Nigleh and Chasidus Rabbi Chaim Wolosow has made available on line. The entire Rebbe’s Hagadah, Daf Yomi, Likutei Torah, Likutei Sichos, Mishanayos, Sotah and much more. Recordings are clear, logical and a pleasure to listen too. Don’t take my word for it, check it out go to http://www.chabadofsharon.c… and see for your self.

  • no one special

    Yasher koach Rabbi Chaim Wolosow. Your story reminds me of an “IKAR” aspect of Lubaviitcher shlichus that doesn’t make headlines, but demonstrates real ahavas yisroel.

  • Friend of Rabbi Wolosow

    Special story about 2 special people. Thank you Rabbi Wolosow for being so much Torah knowledge into my life. The talks on your site chabadofsharon.com keep me going.

  • Keep it uP!

    Keep up the good work Rabbi Wolosow. I visited your Chabad house a few times and the work you and your wife do is incredible!