Last Thursday, the Druk family, Shluchim in Cancun, Mexico, experienced a real life nightmare when a burglar broke into their home and robbed them of all their valuables.
The entire family was home at the time of the robbery. A video camera captured footage of the burglar breaking into the Druk’s home. He is then seen going into the parents, Rachel and Mendel’s room and then their children’s rooms, and spraying a chemical agent that knocked out the entire family who were already asleep. He then proceeded to collect anything and everything of value, with the Druk family in their beds, inches away.
When Mendel and Rachel woke up the next morning to their children’s fits of nausea and retching, they found their home in disarray and valuables gone. Thank G-d everyone was left otherwise physically unharmed. The Druks immediately contacted the Mexican police, but despite the video footage the police told them there is nothing to be done to recover their belongings or even catch the criminal. Mexico’s reputation as a crime-ridden country makes this not much of a surprise. Thus the Druk’s are not only left without so much as a phone to reach their families, but will not even get some semblance of closure after so traumatic an experience.
The Campaign
Without elaborating on the many programs and wonderful initiatives the Druk’s have started, I will stay say this: many of you have experienced the Druk’s hospitality firsthand. The joy they both have for their Shlichus, and their commitment to helping everyone that comes their way is remarkable. I hope with this campaign we can help them get back on their feet and show they how much they are appreciated.
Click here to help the family build a proper security system
Where It’s Going
The money we raise will go towards three things:
Home Security System: A security system for the Druk’s home, to not only ensure something like this never happens again but to also help the family feel safe in their own home.
Replacement of Belongings: Purchasing replacements for all of the Druk’s stolen belongings. This includes everything from cell phones to a computer their daughter uses daily to attend the Shluchim Online School.
Chabad Security System: The Druk’s are currently building a Chabad house where their future permanent home will be. The money we raise in this campaign will contribute towards a protective wall to make a compound around the Chabad house, a security fence, and video and alarm system to keep the Druk Family and their community safe at all times. The contractor’s estimate for the cost is $45,000. These security measures are a necessity in a country where crime is rampant.
If we surpass our goal, the additional funds will go towards the building of the social hall in the Chabad house which will be built in honor of Rachel’s father, Dovid Malka A”H, who was a well-known and well-loved member of the Crown Heights community.
Click here for more info and to donate.
mushka is in my class in SOS
mushka is a good friend of mine
who knew mexico was so bad. the don’t want to even help the families
I don’t buy products from Mexico or support them. Shame on those Jews who vacation there… The government is corrupt and we should boycott them. Why must we send Shluchim in such dangerous places?
Baruch Hashem, only material possessions were taken.
The anesthetic spray is a scary development in home invasions, this is the first time I’ve heard of it.
I agree with the comments who said the Druks should have an armed guard, and I would add that the Chabad center should probably have two armed guards. Given the level of corruption in Mexico, I would suggest hiring Israelis fresh from the IDF.
Iv’e spent there some time. I recommend anyone looking to see what real selfless shluchim are, go to cancun for the weekend.
Always doing everything with a smile, The Druks are a truly incredible Family!
MY CLASSMATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
I FEEL SO BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
WELL SAID!! All these armchair critics – put your money where your mouth is, and GIVE. I did. I know them personally and they are fantastic Shluchim and very special people. B”H they weren’t hurt.
Sorry to heard about this crime. i
It’s known in every country and I wish the family recuperate from everything.and I know the community will support them. I wish I could help even with the one simple 18, but run out of checks.
you gotta get private police
help
it has been done, much luck
Rabbi Mendel would not dare to collect for himself, bh a good friend took this on, we must help him and Rachel safely continue their holy work!
Tests come in various ways. It separates the men from the boys. This test is a test not for you but for them. A Chabad Shliach doesn’t back down from Goliath or a czar. Connected with the Rebbe means infinite success.
Genuine Shluchim don’t usually run after a setback. It generally just makes them stronger and more determind.
And ones doesnt have to be in South America/Mexico to experience such trauma. It happened to us in Europe years ago. We too were gassed and burgelled and like the article states, BH only things were taken, and BH our lives left in tact.
It was super scary….
There are always hidden goodness in every event.Make a Tanya printing or mezuzah campaign as a reaction.
What kind of spray was this? Thieves in Italy where doing the same when I was living there. Very scary, you must install iron doors and windows just to be safe!
Go to the chabad cancun site and donate https://jewishcancuncom.clhosting.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/503764/jewish/Donate/lang/en
I’ll bet that not only do the local cops know exactly who did it and where to find him, he probably paid them off in advance to play dumb and do nothing–he may be a cop himself, for all we know. This is one of the many reasons illegals come here–because in Mexico, justice is a joke.
….to where I can send a check to?
Thank you!
You are probably from those people that complain that the shluchim come once a year and crowd your beloved crown heights. Go find out what dor hashvi is all about. These people are shluchim! What are you?
Why don’t all of you send $$?the article wasn’t for your non expert advice!!it asked for your help for a family that had a crisis….your advice belongs in the mikvah
…and give money!!!
I lived in South America for a while and this chemical spray is a very real very common method for burglaries, kidnappings and far worse. Baruch Hashem only possessions were taken. Only armed security will work when living in these countries. It is a very common practice even for middle class families.
In some countries, such as Costa Rica, it’s common to have an armed guard watching the property. It sounds like this would be appropriate for them.
Thank G_D you are all safe and unharmed. May Hashem continue to watch over you.
They are hoodlums armed and dangerous who will rob anyone regardless of race or religion.The Rebbe would never put any Jew in harms way. We have to protect our family and not take risks needlessly
He’ll never leave he probably listened to shloime chein speak at the Kinnis
Can they hire someone privately to find these creeps? Offer a percentage of the recovered goods. Or is NOBODY honest, and the private guy wld just keep it all?
There’s gotta be a way to reach closure on this – in addition to fund raising
wow u give up quick. are u on shlichus? just curious.
I’m pretty sure I know what the Rebbe would say about this- DON’T give up and only work harder! such a place needs even more light to be spread…
Such a society is not the place for a family to live.Why take risks.A security system isn’t going to do anything except create
A greater risk of harm.Tourists especially Jews should be informed and stay away until a stable government with police protection is established.
It’s unbeliveable that Shluchim need to be in a place with physical fear for their lives!
Please help them! I gave 180. If you can give more, please do so.