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Leaving Erev Shabbos from the country, heading home to Crown Heights and taking precaution with extra traveling time, was the plan…Figuring Woodbury Commons Outlets were only about an hour and half from NY, we decided to stop. Still having enough time to make our way back, we started our journey; a journey that began with complete panic and ended with total appreciation.

Who would have known that traffic on the inbound George Washington Bridge would be so backed up? With no movement in site, we were clearly at a standstill. Our first thoughts; the famous story of our dear uncle, Rabbi Levitansky ob”m, stuck at the gas station the entire Shabbos. We strongly believed that everything would work out. The only differences were; we were traveling with six people (the two of us, our 20 month old twins, newborn baby and sister-in-law) and were headed towards the bridge with no gas station in sight…

Breathe in breathe out…

Continued in the extended article.

This past Shabbos, I was touched…

Leaving Erev Shabbos from the country, heading home to Crown Heights and taking precaution with extra traveling time, was the plan…Figuring Woodbury Commons Outlets were only about an hour and half from NY, we decided to stop. Still having enough time to make our way back, we started our journey; a journey that began with complete panic and ended with total appreciation.

Who would have known that traffic on the inbound George Washington Bridge would be so backed up? With no movement in site, we were clearly at a standstill. Our first thoughts; the famous story of our dear uncle, Rabbi Levitansky ob”m, stuck at the gas station the entire Shabbos. We strongly believed that everything would work out. The only differences were; we were traveling with six people (the two of us, our 20 month old twins, newborn baby and sister-in-law) and were headed towards the bridge with no gas station in sight…

Breathe in breathe out…

Continued in the extended article.

The clock was ticking and traffic advisory updated us with only more delays. A glance at the time showed it was already 6:30 pm. Shabbos was coming in shy of an hour and we were still on the ramp with no progress. After calculating time and. distance, we realized that there was no way we would make it back to Crown Heights for Shabbos. The BIG question was, where to go?

We took out our Lubavitch GPS, also known as the Tzach List, and started looking up Shluchim nearest to where we were. Our first attempt was Rabbi Shlomo Kugel, Shliach in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Knowing how busy Shluchim usually are so close to Shabbos, we placed the call hoping we would get through to him and he could advise us of the closest hotels to his Chabad House. After the first ring, Rabbi Kugel picked up the phone. After explaining to him our sticky dilemma, he calmly assured us that within a couple of minutes he would arrange accommodations and get back to us. All we had to do was make sure to get on the West Side Highway.

Slowly easing up in traffic, we made our way towards the West Side Highway, putting total trust in a person whom we never met.

Breathe in breathe out…

Literally within a few minutes, we got a call from an unknown number. It was Rabbi Kugel. Regretfully, he explained that he is out-of-town but luckily, his calls get forwarded to him. He told us everything was set and that he had found us a family to stay with. All we had to do was call a number so they could further assist us. Astonished, we could not believe our ears! So quick? A family willing to take us in? All six of us, three of whom are infants? Minutes to Shabbos?

(Can you imagine, Rabbi Kugel being able to help us out, even out-of-town, so close to Shabbos as if he has nothing else on his mind?)

It was 6:50 pm when we got on to the West Side Highway. We called the number and reached Rabbi Chayim Boruch Alevsky and his family. Panicking, we told him where we were and he gave us street-by-street directions, staying with us on the phone the entire time. His voice was like one of a man who was talking to one of his family members as if these were prior arrangements and everything was just fine.

Breathe in breathe out…

Time: after 7pm. As we got closer to his house, he asked if there was anything we needed last minute. Being that we had not planned to be anywhere but home for Shabbos, we were out of everything. Prioritizing our needs we thought DIAPERS!! Without a second thought, he was already out the door on his way to the closest pharmacy.

Imagine, all tired, minutes before Shabbos, we unloaded our family and bags into the home of the Alevsky’s. Our family was greeted with cheerful smiles and warm hearts by Sarah Alevsky and her three daughters. They were all waiting at the door with open arms and willing to help us as if we were family. Then we received a phone call from a familiar number. It was Rabbi Kugel calling to make sure everything had worked out. We assured him that Baruch Hashem we arrived and were being well taken care of.

Shabbos arrived, everything was set and all there was left for us to do was:

Breathe in breathe out…

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Kugel for arranging a place for us to stay and Rabbi Alevsky and his family for graciously taking us into their homes and hearts, minutes before Shabbos and giving us a beautiful Shabbos that we will never forget.

With appreciation towards our fellow Shluchim,
Chaim and Rivky Perl

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55 Comments

  • Rabbi Anchelle Perl

    …Thank you Rabbis Kugel & Alefsky you made our shabbos too!

    Anchelle & Bluma Perl

  • :o)

    THATS MY UNCLE AND AUNT AND COUSINS—-:o)

    btw-nothing surprising..very typical of them. theyre like the nicest people in the world…
    :)

    GO THEM!!!!

  • Someone who wouldn-t be as nice.

    I think Rabbi Kugel and Alefsky are really wonderful, I personally would have gotten so annoyed at such “klutzes” , but I also think it’s wonderful that you’re showing appreciation in this way, maybe your next ma’aser can go to his chabad house :)

  • Wow

    The Alevskys are extra-ordinary people. Truly special. You are not the only ones touched. You are probably 1 of thousands. They should be blessed with much nachas from their beautiful daughters.

  • Chaya Z.

    The Alevsky’s are TRULY the best!!!!! They were the family that I spent my first year keeping shabbos with back when they lived in Texas and I couldnt have asked for a better place!!! They have done so much for me that words can’t even describe!!!! They are very much missed in TX and The Upper West Side is the luckiest to have them!!!!

  • random

    thats so nice wow…sounds like the perfect thing for a nshei chabad newsletter ;)

  • ALEVSKYS ROCK!!!

    I’m sure you guys seriously had an AMAZING Shabbos together with the Alevskys!

  • Fellow West Siders

    Rabbi Kugel you rock! So glad to be acquaintances of yours…
    Only brochos, gezunt and nachas to you and yours always.

  • go cgi plano!

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TEXAS!!!!!!!!!
    WE love we love we love the ALLEEVSSKKYYSS!!!!!!!!

  • v nice!!

    Thats the rebbes shluchim!! Very Nice!! Bh, that story doesn’t surprise me at all!!

  • aussie stranded in new york

    I too experienced the same amazing hachnosas orchim from a very special couple who live in manhattan – i was stuck on a metro north railroad train 10 minutes before candlelighting – 20 minutes later i was standing at grand central station with a suitcase and heavy backpack and only 10 mins to shkiah! with a few phone calls I was hosted by a very special couple who were expecting no guests and had NEVER EVER met me,but found room in their hearts and home for me. I will always be grateful for their hachnosas orchim.
    and to the ben david hair salon on 3rd avenue who take care of my bags over shabbos…
    how lucky we are to be yidden – brothers and sisters – literally.

  • Unreal!

    What a beautiful Ahavas yisroel story! Definitely brought Moshiach closer! I am sure that through us ALL strengthening our Ahavas Yisroel, like these shluchim did, we will DEFINITELY bring Moshiach! L’chaim and shekoach to you guys!

  • SERIOUSLY UNBELIEVABLE People!

    Check out some of the other amazing things R’ Alevsky does: toolsfortorah.com
    show your appreciation there…he could use all of our help

  • impressed

    Not only is the story beautiful, but it is also beautiful of the Perls to take the time and appreciate what was done for them.

  • freind

    cma !!! im so proud and impressed !!! ur making th erebbe prouds!!! and ur friends !!! we love u !!!

  • MUSHKA

    i would like to say how truly wonderful the alevskys are, shayna is in my class and she is such a nice, and friendly person.
    Go shayna you rock

    go BOSTON REDSOX

  • Tha Haston Fam

    You go Alevskys!!!! This is the best family in the world and we love them too!!
    I was reading this story out loud to my kids and when we heard the Alevskys name we were so happy!!!

  • SEC

    While it’s nice that you took the time to thank the Shluchim, you have now confirmed what Shulchan Aruch has known for hundreds of years. SA forbids traveling on Erev Shabbos after midday to avoid this exact scenario!

  • Chosid of the Rebbe

    Thank you to ALL The Rebbe’s Shluchim All over the World who do there shlichus and does such work daily. I got stuck on a shabbos before Yom Kipur a few years ago.
    i was with a few other people and we spent shabbos in a Motel but a shliach near there organized wine chalah and food for the whole shabbos in the motel. right after Shabbos we got a call to make sure shabbos was good then they picked us up.
    and I would like to Thank the Rebbe for Placing all his Shluchim all over.
    The Rebbe won’t let his People down
    But you need to have trust in the rebbe
    I heard a story from Rabbi Groner Sheyichye that the Rebbe gave a Mivtza to some men and Rabbi Groner as a Secretary asked the Comity the next day what is the results ? they said Please Don’t tell the Rebbe anything ! Rabbi Groner asked what do you mean? they said there is to many obstacles and we decided not to do it. when the Rebbe came into his Office the 1st thing he asked was what the results of the meeting was, Rebbi Groner stood there Quiet and the Rebbe told him that the Job of a Secretary is to know what his Boss would want to know and find it out. so Rabbi Groner told the Rebbe the whole story. the rebbe Said “Its Good they were not by Krias Yam Suf” B/C by Krias Yam Suf there was Yehoshua Ben Nun who Just becouse he was told to go straight into the see he didn’t see if there was obstacles he just walked in. Than the Rebbe Continued If only they did the smallest thing for the Mivtza than all the obstacle would have Disappeared. so Rabbi Groner said 0k so ill go tell them to do it now and everything will be OK. the Rebbe said No, as long as they had Emuna in me all the obstacles would disappear now that they know, its too late.
    May we all have the Emuna in the Rebbe MH”H that he will take us out of Golus and Bring moshiach now. let us say Omen.

  • thanks webby, great op-ed

    what can i say i hope this article starts a new trend, and maybe another catagory on this sight.

    i think this stuff is great

  • AVROHOM, G,

    you’ll are we lucky to have Rabbi Chaim & Sara Alevsky in that part of the world

    Some one who knows the Alevsky’s well

  • stranded

    really amazing shluchim! A year ago, I too was stranded and ended up by the Kugel family. They are truly an amazing family

  • its about time!

    Webby,so happy you put some positive Shluchim stories up, keep them coming
    it’s about time people start reading what the majority of Shluchim are like
    after the many recent Shluchim bashing articles on this website, we need more of these!
    Lechayim to all the Rebbes Shluchim all over the world!!
    and to all the Shluchim bashers out there: you will NEVER know what it is like to be on Shlichus until you are there yourself!! Al todin…ad shetagia limekomo!
    It’s time our youth returns to the attitude that was prevalant when I was a teenager (not too long ago): That it is a zechus to do anything you can for Shluchim, and that there is no such thing as ‘working for’ a Shliach and getting paid. when you go out there, YOU are on shlichus too, you should be grateful for every cent and for having this opportunity!
    Time to shape up with your attitudes!!

  • Zalmen der Shikker

    Knowing Chaim Boruch as I do, I would expect nothing less. You are the best!

  • Berel ben Toiba Klinghoffer

    go Alevsky’s!
    u rock the shtub!
    i now have a reason to go to manhattan!

  • on the other hand

    everything is all nice, but the one thing you should learn the most from this story….is to not make any trips on erev shabbos!!! duh……

  • FS

    GREAT STORY!

    Hey, I thought the alevskys were in texas?

    WE REALLY MISS YOU IN NEW HAVEN!!!!!!!!!

    Come back NOW!!!!!!!

  • be careful

    I know someone who had an erev shabbos story, but didn’t make it – road was closed in an isolated area and took an extra 1 and 1/2 hrs to go the other way- if you knew it- the story didn’t end up as nice- there were no shluchim or even Yidden around and the passenger was sick and needed medicine so staying over in a motel with no food was not an option. So I suggest not taking chances on Friday afternoon- it doesn’t always end well!

  • Sholom

    It’s really refreshing to hear something GOOD about shluchim. Unfortunately, this type of thing is not all that common. Shluchim nowadays have other concerns (fundraising, wooing the wealthy) beside “their own.” Sick, but true. Yasher Koach to the Alevksys and Kugels.

  • mitteshoule

    yasher koach to all the shluchim
    i know the Alevsky’s personally, they are very special. such warm hearts!!!
    thank you for sharing the article

  • Ari......

    Chaim when i saw you in the Woodbury Commons Outlets i told you it was late. i am glad u had a place to stay. good story