Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis #fundie hineni.org

It happened many years ago. I had just spoken in Portland Oregon. My children were still small, and whenever I accepted an out-of-town speaking engagement, I made certain to catch a "red-eye" flight so that I might make it back in time to give them breakfast and see them off to school.

[...]

I was on the verge of dozing off when a young man approached us. I was really too tired to talk to anyone, but then again, maybe he was someone who had to be reached.

"Are you from Portland?" he asked.

"No, I'm from New York," I replied, "but I was speaking there."

"Where were you speaking?"

"In the local synagogue."

"I don't get involved in any of that stuff."

"Are you Jewish?" I asked.

"I guess I am," he said.

"You only guess?"

"Yeah, it's an accident of birth. Doesn't affect my life one way or another."

Our conversation was interrupted by the stewardess who was distributing the midnight snacks.

"Jungreis," she said, reading the label. "I have you down for kosher... And what would you like to have?" she asked, turning to him.

"I'll take ham and cheese," was his answer.

"You can't have that," I interrupted.

"What do you mean, I can't have it? It's my favorite sandwich."

"But you told me you're Jewish."

"So what!"

"So what? You must be kidding. You signed a contract - you sealed a covenant at Mount Sinai that you wouldn't eat that stuff. You were there. All Jewish souls that were ever to be born were there. As a matter of fact," I added, "looking at you now, I think I remember you. We all pledged to uphold the covenant."

He looked at me in disbelief. "Lady, you know something, you need help and I mean serious help!"

And with that, he picked himself up, walked back toward his seat and told the stewardess as he passed her in the aisle, "That woman is off the wall!"

For the remainder of the flight, he didn't look my way.

At JFK we met once again at the baggage carousel, and he said to me, "You know, what you said is nuts!"

"Listen, my name is Esther Jungreis. Here is my card. We have an organization called Hineni, which means, 'Here I am', ready to serve my people and my G-d. We remind people of that covenant sealed at Sinai. You can check it out. It's all documented in a Book called the Torah. The whole story can be found there. You will see. You really were there. If you need help in your search, let me know. I'd be more than happy to show you."

"I bet you would! But I'm running from you as fast as possible!" And with that, he turned his back and went to find his suitcase.

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