Hunterdon County Democrat

Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld of Seattle, along with his sons Rabbi Eli Kornfeld (Chabad of Hunterdon County) and Rabbi Shmuel Kornfeld (Chabad of Burbank) recently returned from Israel after a highly successful mission. The trip unified three Rabbi Kornfelds and three communities, and was a show of unity among families, states and countries.

Chabad of Hunderton Trip to Israel Forms Strong Bonds

Hunterdon County Democrat

Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld of Seattle, along with his sons Rabbi Eli Kornfeld (Chabad of Hunterdon County) and Rabbi Shmuel Kornfeld (Chabad of Burbank) recently returned from Israel after a highly successful mission. The trip unified three Rabbi Kornfelds and three communities, and was a show of unity among families, states and countries.

Ranging in age from 17 to 70 and including two Holocaust survivors, members of the group hailed from Hunterdon County, Burbank, CA, and Seattle WA. Each returned from the trip with a strong bond to the land of Israel, their Judaism, and each other.

While in Israel, the group spent time together in activities that helped them connect with the people of Israel.

Under the direction of Rabbi Yossi Swerdlov and the Chabad Terror Victims Project, the group packed food baskets for needy families in Israel.

Another highlight of the trip was the opportunity to have a private meeting with Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger at his offices in Jerusalem. Rabbi Metzger rarely meets with private groups; his schedule fills months in advance.

Thanks to herculean efforts by Phil Levine of Flemington, Rabbi Metzger agreed to a private meeting. Levine met Rabbi Metzger a few months earlier at a wedding ceremony for couples from the former Soviet Union who have not yet had a chance to have a proper Jewish wedding. They forged a close friendship, and when Levine called Rabbi Metzger to ask if he would meet with the Kornfeld Israel Mission, Rabbi Metzger replied in his broken English, “I will do it for your Phil.” Rabbi Metzger touched on the importance of visiting Israel and of taking one’s experiences back to one’s home community.

With the assistance of Rabbi Danny Cohen and the team at Chabad of Hebron, the group sponsored a magic show and barbecue dinner for 60 IDF soldiers at a base next to Beit Hadassah. Rabbi Shmuel Kornfeld commented, “I have done many things in Israel, but this was one of the most inspiring!”

Jeremy Miller of Annandale, the youngest member of the team said, “We have uncovered our heritage and made close friends. Jews are a very determined people and we will continue to support Israel. This trip has taught us to cherish ourselves more. We will become better people and more understanding. I will do my best to be understanding of others.”