Bochurim Spend Shabbos in ‘Second Most Dangerous City’

The northeast part of Brazil is full of history, and the Jewish community has a big part of it, for centuries Jews have settled in the region creating a strong imprint of Jewish tradition among the natives of a tropical country.

The Rio Grande do Norte, has seen some many communities grow, but with time they dissolved within the larger Jewish communities elsewhere, that is also the case in Natal, the capital, the lack of Jewish presence and the void of a spiritual leader made the Jews feel empty.

Till this past weekend, when Bochurim Shaya Begun, Yaacov Alpern and Levi Gellis arrived, things changed a bit. A new spirit of warmth has reminded them of their roots, and given them the hope and strength to continue striving as proud Yiden in a place where crime rules.

Both Shabbos meals took place in the lobby of an hotel, shortly before Friday sunset it looked more like a local Chabad House, singing, dancing, stories, discussion on Jewish thoughts and of course a tasty Shabbos meal prepared by the Bochurim themselves.

As the sun of “the sun city” (so known by the locals) was about to set when everyone gathered for a collective learning of Pirkei Avot with insights.

A “all-nigun” singed Havdalah uplifted for the start of a new week and a new era.

Sunday a house visiting took place for those that couldn’t make it for Shabbos, putting up Mezuzah, selling Jewish books and articles.

As @saritacesana_ posted on her social media:
“When life gives us unexpected gifts!
When our hearts are bleeding of pain, for the loss of lifes that were taken from us.
When after all we are blessed
@mitzvatankbrasil you have made our day, month, year, very special!
You’ve made me regain the faith in the humanity that is inside each one of every being”

And to finish with a good remark, the opportunity rose up, and a 84 years old man had the chance to put on Tefillin for his first time, not yet knowing what it was he was very grateful for the experience, and now the house is covered with Mezuzah and Jewish books.

The Project Mitzva Tank Brasil is currently traveling throughout the country to all cities that don’t have yet a community, a Chabad, a Shliach or any sort of Jewish presence, split onto five routes reaching over 170 cities throughout 22 states. This “Northeast Route” is a all new and is paving the way for a yearly visitation, with already so much success seen the are still going strong ending this Thursday.

Much Hatzlachah to all of them!