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The Human Spirit

(Jerusalem Post) Barbara Sofer - "Do you know when was the last time I went to synagogue services?" Frank, an elderly visitor from Australia, asked Rabbi Shimon Freudlich at the four-year old Chabad House in Beijing, China. He told the rabbi that his last services were on April 13, 1945, two days after he'd been liberated by the U.S. Third Army from Buchenwald. At dinner that evening, one of the guests tentatively approached Frank. "I know it's a long shot," she said. "But might you remember my father Leonard Katz, who survived Buchenwald, too?" Rivers of tears began streaming from Frank's eyes. "Of course I remember him," Frank said. "Like me, he was one of the few kohanim." Leonard was living in Connecticut. The daughter would reunite them. The following week, Rabbi Freudlich traveled to New York City where he was the Shabbat guest of Satmar hassidim, and told his host this story. To his shock, the head of the Satmar kollel began to weep. "Please tell Frank and Leonard that Yankel, the third kohen in the minyan, is also still alive."
2005-10-03 00:00:00
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