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Shlichus 54

56. Another couple of our acquaintance, with whom we became very close friends over the years, were a young guy and gal who we originally connected with in Michigan State University in East Lansing Michigan. Eventually they married and moved to Florida. For more than 45 years, Scott and Sandy Colish have kept connected with us and our bond keeps getting stronger. He lately sent me this story, as he remembers it: On New Years’ Eve, Dec. 31, 2003, at about 11pm, we were on South Beach, when Sandy asked me, “Hey, have you spoken with the Rabbi lately?” Replying that I hadn’t, she suggested that I give him a call. “Dude, what’s up?” “I need $1,700…a loan will do, but I need to pay for a ticket to observe my mother’s Yahrzeit in Israel.” Not a completely atypical greeting, but I told him I would need to discuss that with Sandy. She said that would be OK as a loan, so I transferred the money over the phone via VISA. His reply, “OK…got it…click.” A few weeks later, while repaying the loan in cash, I had to ask about his demeanor…or lack thereof. “Dude, a modicum of gratitude would have been in order…that was even odd for you!” The explanation of Divine Providence began: “First of all, let me apologize if I was rude. My travel agent, a Satmar Chosid, was really stretching to hold my ticket and suggested I go to the Rebbe and ask for a brocho. I went to the Ohel, prayed for help, and went back to where I was staying and sat by the phone and waited for the Rebbe’s help. Secondly, it was no surprise to me to receive the call… after all, the Rebbe can work very fast. Thirdly, the Rebbe reached out to Sandy to be part of this mitzvah to honor my mother by observing her Yahrzeit to the best of my ability.” Sandy and Scott Colish Friends since '74...Michigan State University

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