It was supposed to be a brief and relaxing getaway, a short escape to the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean. But for two young avreichem from New York, their tropical vacation turned into a terrifying ordeal, as they vanished without a trace, setting off a frantic international rescue effort that ended in nothing short of a neis.
The two men had traveled to Aruba with a third avreich, eager to enjoy a few days of rest before returning to their daily routines. While one remained at the hotel, the others ventured out for an afternoon excursion, their spirits high as they embarked on their adventure.
Hours passed and the third avreich reached out to see where they were, but his calls and messages went unanswered.
Concern gave way to panic. Their friend, now gripped with fear, reached out to askanim, and within moments, the gravity of the situation became painfully clear—two young Jewish men were missing in the Caribbean Sea.
Chabad of Aruba says it was connected by Rabbi Dudi Farkas of Chabad of Olympia to Chaverim Of Rockland, which is renowned for its advanced search and rescue capabilities. Together, they sprang into action, working alongside local authorities to locate the missing men.
For three and a half agonizing hours, uncertainty hung heavy. Every possibility loomed large, every scenario played out in the minds of their loved ones. And then, in a miraculous moment, the Aruba Coast Guard spotted them adrift in the rough waters of the open ocean.
They were cold, wet, and exhausted. A lot more importantly, however, they were alive.
The men’s jet skis had capsized, leaving them stranded far from shore, battling the elements. Yet, against all odds, their tefillos were answered.
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21 Responses
Avreichem and Aruba are oxymorons!!!
Hashem Gadol
Avriechem and Aruba are oxymorons.
Glad they’re okay. Something about the words “avreichim” and “the Caribbean” being on the same sentence just doesn’t add up.
Young fools going jet skiing. This is not the first time Frum kids get hurt or killed. Do normal things.
Baruch HaGomeil Tovim!
“Yet, against all odds, their tefillos were answered.”
HKB”H answering our tefillos is NEVER against all odds. Odds belong to the world of statistics which, in turn, belong to the world of teva. Tfillah, however, is OUR teva. It connects us, not to information, to physical help, to doctors’ talents, to livelihood, etc., but to the SOURCE of life itself, to the One who CREATES constantly.
Tefillah is not one of the ways we express hishtadlus. It is the way to connect to the Creator of all teva and to Whom can manipulate that teva at any time.
Tefillah, when it is answered for us immediately, is NOT a miracle. It is OUR Teva!
Thank You Hashem.
In 2005 a young girl from Alabama disappeared in Aruba . I don’t think that they ever found her. Aruba does not have lots of Police Officers like in a real city.
Why do you need to refer to them as “avreichim”? You know what people’s reactions will be to hear about avreichim jet skiing in Aruba during the zman.
Avreuchim?! Sounds more like a translation from Hebrew.
The bottom line? Shomer Pesayim H-shem. And some people’s adventurous spirit and wanderlust was probably cured dramatically.
In other news a number of avreichim vacationing in Vegas during Elul lost a lot of money in one of the major casinos.
B”H, a great ending to the story. Somehow, whenever yidden need help, no matter who they are, wherever they might be, it seems that Chabad is always there for them.
Joseph,
Why aren’t you defending these poor “avreichim” from criticism over taking a well-deserved Aruba vacation from their exhausting learning schedule?
Al tikri Aruba ela a-Rebbe
Would LOVE to see some words of gratitude to the Chabad shliach and the Rebbe that sent them and others
Would love to see the Rov of these avreichim thank the shluchim for being there, but to jet ski or suntan on the beach for a few…. Will it ever happen
I highly doubt
Enough with all the snobby comments about “what are avreichim doing in Aruba?”! Many of our greatest gedolim also took vacations from time to time. Sure, most avreichim can’t afford a vacation to somewhere like Aruba, but if someone was bentched with money, why is that any bigger of an aveira than vacationing in Florida, New Hampshire, or even upstate New York? It’s obvious that the people posting these self-righteous comments are jealous of the fact that these avreichim were able to take a vacation they couldn’t afford, and are having trouble containing their joy at hearing that their vacation was ruined.
Florida is a must, the Satmar Rebbe Reb Yoel, was the first one of Rebbes to be mekadesh Florida,
There seems to be a misunderstanding prevalent here. The descriptions of the jet skiers as avreichim, implying Litvish Kollel Yungeleit to many, is not accurate, based on the video and other information online (e.g. Rockland Daily which reported that two of three were from New Square, and one from Monsey). It is clear that they were rather young Hymishe Chasidishe chevreh.
“Somehow, whenever yidden need help, no matter who they are, wherever they might be, it seems that Chabad is always there for them.”
That’s definitely how it typically ends in the Chabad-Lubavitch PR .
Aseh,
These “avrechim” aren’t Gedolim and what were they doing taking a vacation in the middle of the zman?
Chasdei Hashem!! That’s the Ikur
Love it. Put the word “Avreichim” in and everyone looses their minds. One guy already pointed out that they’re not kollel yungermen.