Just After Escaping Ukraine, Rabbi Menachem and Dalia Kurtzwell Are On Their Way To Continue Their Shlichus In Amsterdam

Rabbi Menachem and Dalia Kurtzwell had just spent a week of nonstop stress and worry, bringing food and aid to their community members, and then ushering them all out to safety.

Only once they knew their community was safe did they finally allow themselves to make the dangerous three day journey to safety into Moldova, and then Romania. From Romania they planned to fly to Israel, where they would be able to rest and recover from the trauma.

At the last minute, their plans changed.

Rabbi Kurtzwell’s phone rang, it was Rabbi Kamisser, a Chabad Shliach in Amsterdam.

“A large group of Ukrainian refugees is coming to us. I’m breaking my head trying to figure out who is going to take care of them. Who knows them? Their language? What they’ve been through? Who will be able to give them a hug and the warmth they need? Menachem, can you come to Amsterdam?”

Rabbi Kurtzwell turned to Dalia, then their children, they all nodded their heads. He got back on the phone.

“We’re on our way to Amsterdam.”