Last weekend I attended the annual conference fo Chabad rabbis, connecting and networking with friends and colleagues from around the nation and from across the globe.
The highlight for me was a speaker at the grand banquet, who barely cleared the lectern while standing on a box. A nine-year-old boy, the grandson of the Chabad rabbi in Sderot, a border city in the south of Israel, where the ticking clock of danger is an everyday reality.
Young Avremi, in front of a massive room of people, counted to twelve. And described how that short interval is engrained in his brain and heart; it's the amount of time he has day or night to seek shelter when the rocket siren goes off.
It's the difference between life and death.
But, if that's the case, Avremi told us, it's also the difference between death and Life. In the span of those crucial 12 seconds, one can spread joy, offer support, instill belief, and breathe life into another. Live life in a way that every twelve seconds can change the world. His words, “chazak, chazak venitchazek” – “Be strong, be strong and let us strengthen ourselves,” resonate as a clarion call for courage, perseverance, and infusing this world with light, care, and love.
To hear the challenges yet to see the strength and resolve of this young boy left not a dry eye in the hall, while at the same time filling us all with pride and comfort.
With kids like this representing our future, one thing is certain. The Jewish nation will be stronger and prouder, shining our light, being a force of good.
Pictured below: Some 4,000 Chabad rabbis gather to pray together for the safe return of the hostages, and for the annual "class photo".
