Warm Story for a Cold Week

It is foggy, grey and wet outside.

The white snow seems so long ago.

Last week the colors were so beautiful,

 it was perfect weather to train for Jerusalem’s marathon next month.

Even now, tree cuttings  still block many parks and sidewalks, 

with even more cuttings appearing after the first cleanup.

So much talk this week was of weather and elections.

It wasn’t just branches that were blocking sidewalks in Jerusalem, Israel.

These TV news trucks were parked on the sidewalks near Beit Hanasi,

the President’s residence, as they waited for official election results.

However, before the rain started on Monday,

 there was a very special wedding in Jerusalem.

The oldest of these three young men was 16 years old

when their father was shot and killed by terrorists and

their mother instantly became a widow with 7 children,

the youngest 4 months old.

Their mother Elisheva Chai was getting married to Gil Efrati of Jerusalem.

Rain drops fell as the chupah stood ready outside,

  heavenly tears lightly covering the ground.

The chatan sat with friends before the ceremony,

then the dancing began as the bride and groom were led 

to the bright and still dry chupah at Ramat Rachel.

But were there any dry eyes at this celebration?

Gil Efrati has never been married before,

and now he is the father to seven beautiful children.

After Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai z”l was murdered, 

Elisheva Chai was able to raise a wonderful family.

She gives credit to the support they received from OneFamily.

Cars are honking, people are cranky and trying to stay warm.

I am so glad for this wonderful story to warm up

an other wise cold and dreary week. 

To see more of this story and special simcha please, click HERE