The following letter was written by a frum NYPD cop, and sent to his father-in-law. Names were omitted.
Dear Schver,
I just got home from working a triple shift- I went to work at 4:30pm on Sunday, and it is currently 1:20am on Tuesday. Nonetheless, I feel it is important to e-mail you concerning an incident which occurred tonight.
I was sent to the West Indian Parade Detail in Crown Heights earlier tonight, together with ten other officers. During a lull in the chaos the [revelers] on the street were creating, my Sgt. overheard me saying that the G. family had invited me over to eat by them. He was intrigued that anyone would want a cop eating over in their house in that neighborhood, and asked if he could join me.
Letter: A Lull in the Labor Day Chaos Give Cops a new Insight into Jews
The following letter was written by a frum NYPD cop, and sent to his father-in-law. Names were omitted.
Dear Schver,
I just got home from working a triple shift- I went to work at 4:30pm on Sunday, and it is currently 1:20am on Tuesday. Nonetheless, I feel it is important to e-mail you concerning an incident which occurred tonight.
I was sent to the West Indian Parade Detail in Crown Heights earlier tonight, together with ten other officers. During a lull in the chaos the [revelers] on the street were creating, my Sgt. overheard me saying that the G. family had invited me over to eat by them. He was intrigued that anyone would want a cop eating over in their house in that neighborhood, and asked if he could join me.
And so, together with another cop, Sgt. _ and I went to the the G.’s. When we left, Sgt. _ stopped at the bottom of the stoop and told me the following:
“I have never before seen Jews in this light. Not since my father was alive have I seen so many books surrounding one’s home. They are obviously very studious, as even the teenagers knew what each book was. But most impressive was the hospitality. I simply cannot believe that Jews simply take in -no, they chase after- strangers in the street to help feed and feel like home. I did not even feel like a guest at that table. Despite the fact that I am an old Irish cop, I felt as if I was family. You Jews are truly something special. I will never look at a Jew the same way again.”
My brother-in-law also told me over the phone that the sergeant had commented “I felt G-d in that house.”
-A Shlucha in Massachusetts
Curious
“I will never look at a Jew the same way again.”
I wonder how he used to look at them and why.
inspired
wow….i got the chills
Boruch ben Tzvi (A H)HaKohaine Hoffinger
BS”D
Boruch HaShem.
However this path should be the path
of all who beleive in One G-d.
Shepping Nachas
This is a small reminder that even in Crown Heights, we are all shluchim of the Rebbe and have the ability to influence others positively and spread the light of Moshiach.
May we all be the example that this family was and may we all have the opportunity to show it.
Great Story
It just comes to show you what a bit kindness can do…Instead of fighting, we should be reaching out to each other.
amazing!
wow! what a kiddush hashem!
in CH
Perhaps if we see cops outside our homes on Yom Tov it would be nice to invite them in for a drink & to use the rest room. This nice letter certainly gave me some ideas. But I did wonder the same thing as the first poster.
anon
that’s so nice. it is a reminder to behave in the manner of the baal shem tov, and be kind to non-jews, and not dismiss them simply as “goyim.”
wow
Beautiful, What a Kiddush Hashem!!!
Also in CH
To in CH: Be sensible. A cop drinking on the job will be fired. Inviting to use the rest room is one thing. Did you mean offering a non-alcoholic beverage? If so, you need to specify, as, in this area of the hood, asking for a drink does not refer to a beverage legally suited for minors.
wow
wow. i feel so proud – we need these g’on yaakov boosters sometimes in crown heights!
happy
THANK YOU TO THE G,S
amazed
Wow!! i read this letter and it was soo amazing!!! this is such a Kiddush Hashem!!! go the g family!!!!
:)
wow, so powerful!
moshiach tzatin
curious & also in CH
to curious: why read into into look at the whole picture. He was being honest that he didn’t know much about Jews that’s all.
To also in CH:
Inviting someone in for a drink means just that, a drink (maybe a hot coffee in the winter and iced tea in the summer). Unless you’re an alcoholic, at a bar or a celebration.
ALSO GOT CHILLS
wow! i ALSO got the chills…………but thats cause its cold in my house. im gonna go turn the AC down
Eli
To anon:
Can you give me an example when baal shem tov was kind to non-jews?
I happened to know that the Rebbe was helping and respectful to everyone and I think that this is how all of us have to
behave.
Note: I tried to be nice to some cops by offering them fruits on Yom Tov, but got very cold “No” response.
Please make sure that you are helping a person who is worth your help.
Mush
BH, that’s beautiful
to eli:
i dont think they can eat on the job.
but your offering them something with a smile was a kiddish Hashem and even if we (or even they!) dont realize your action and smile changed the way they think of us!
thank you for doing what you do!
kesiva vachasima tova
Elie Blitman
We should print posters praising people that do these great things. We can help.
anonim
Note: I tried to be nice to some cops by offering them fruits on Yom Tov, but got very cold “No” response.
——————-
I am not sure they are allowed to accept anything while on duty.
The police came to my house after a robbery years ago and I kept offering the 2 officers food and drink. They did not accept. Later I remember reading that they are not allowed to accept anything.
If that is the case then the cops must have visited the G’s after they finished duty for the day.