Too often we hear ugly stories about discrimination or alleged discrimination on the basis of race or religion onboard an airplane. Today, we share a story on American Airlines that could have turned out bad, but ultimately turned out quite positively.
Captain On American Airlines Comes To Aid Of Jewish Passenger, Then Puts On His Own Tefillin
The story is told by Mushi Fogelman of COLive on Instagram and I want to work our way through it because there are going to be a number of terms you are likely not familiar with if you are not a member of the Jewish faith.
I boarded a plane at 6 am from Los Angeles to NY this morning. It was too early to daven before we left. I didn’t want to daven at 2:30 when we landed because I was going straight to Ohel. I made sure I had an exit row bulkhead. I knew with this plane configuration, I would have plenty of room to daven.
Daven is a Yiddish word for prayer. The term Ohel literally means a structure built over the resting place of a Tzaddik (righteous person), but in this context is referring the grave of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerso, in New York City, who was also known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or just Rebbe.
About an hour after takeoff, I stood up, took out my Tallis and tefilin, and started davening. The plane was pretty quiet, most people sleeping, and it was really a pleasant davening. As I was taking off my Rashi tefilin, a stewardess approached. I could see she was uncomfortable and said, “You know you will have to sit down soon.” I told her I was just about done and thought nothing more of it.
Tallis or tallit is a fringed garment worn as a prayer shawl while the tefllin is a small black leather box with leather straps containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin are worn by adult Jews during weekday morning prayers.
Flight attendants on a flight to JFK getting antsy about passengers standing is something I have witnessed over and over again…a lasting scar of the terrorism inflicted on 9/11/2001.
As I looked up, a gentleman was standing, talking to his son and pointing toward me. I heard him say “tefilin,” and then he came over. He told me his community had a program where wounded Israeli soldiers came to stay in people’s houses. The one that stayed in his house put on tefilin every day. The soldier gave his tefilin to the young boy whose bar mitzvah was in two months if he promises to put them on.
One thing I love about faith traditions (and I am only generalizing, of course) is that religion can so beautifully link strangers and transcend the sort of racial, class, ethnic, and social barriers that so often divide us.
As we are talking, another steward comes to where we are standing and is hovering, making us uncomfortable. We both thought it was strange, but he clearly wanted the conversation over. The gentleman went back to his seat, and I put on Rabbeinu Tam.
Rabbeinu Tam was a 12th-century Ashkenazi Jewish rabbi.
I saw something going on at the front of the plane, and then the captain comes out of his cabin, and I figured trouble is coming. As I’m wrapping up the tefilin, the captain comes up behind me, and I figure, “Here goes.” He whispers in my ear, “Listen, if you need to daven or learn or whatever, go to the galley. I told them to make space. These non-Jews have no idea what’s going on.”
A Jewish captain! Of course, the job of the captain is to fly the plane and religion really does not matter. At the same time, you might have expected the captain to back up the flight attendants onboard but instead, it appears as if he pushes back and uses this as a teachable moment to help them understand the centrality of these rituals for this passenger.
Of course, realizing he’s Jewish, I asked him to put on tefilin. He said, “I can’t, I gotta fly the plane,” and went back to his cabin. The plane landed, and I jumped up so I could be the first to the door. I knew the captain would be standing there to say goodbye to everyone.
I like this captain. There is a (Christian) hymn that goes, “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer,” and I am a firmer believer in prayer…but the job of a captain is first and foremost to fly the plane.
So why did the passengers jump up to meet the captain?
I walked up to him and said, “I have a favor to ask, I’ll wait till everyone leaves.” He said, “Ask now, I’m leaving as soon as everyone is off.” I said, “I want you to put on tefilin, it will take 60 seconds.” He said, “Impossible.” I said, “I’m going to NY for the yartzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. As a matter of fact, I’m going straight there. Can you do me a personal favor, put them on so I have something positive to share with the Rebbe?” He stuck out his arm and said, “Let’s do it, let everyone see.” His name is Chaim Boruch Ben Leah. I should share it with the Rebbe.
Yartzeit means anniversary. Fogelman asks the captain to put on his tefllin so that he has “something positive to share” with his rabbi. And the captain agrees.
The following video was an amazing experience, as the pilot said goodbye to every person wearing tefilin (including whoever complained).
Here’s the (brief) video:
View this post on Instagram
I am a believer in demonstrating your faith not merely through words or garb, but through actions and deeds, including hard work. A bad pilot is a bad testament to his faith. But sometimes, all of this become intertwined. Certain Jewish traditions have more visible signs of faith, as is the case here.
I like that the captain was very matter-of-fact about his need to fly the plane, but also willing not to shy away from his faith, but embrace it as passengers deplaned.
And it is true: If you do not understand certain elements of the Jewish faith tradition, certain actions like putting on a tefllin and praying loudly will make some uncomfortable during a flight.
But I’m really glad this flight ended on a positive note rather than with threats or arrests or a diversion. How cool that a captain helped to educate flight attendants instead of enabling a manifestation of prejudice that is not productive toward living in a pluralistic society of many faiths.
Well done, Captain Boruch.
Amazing story the captain should be commended
Hey Matt,
Thanks for sharing this story! With all the antisemitism (and generally anti-faith discrimination) going on in America right now it’s nice to see one where things took a positive turn!
One minor quibble, the name that the captain gave is his and his mother’s Hebrew names as would be traditionally used when praying for someone – Chaim Boruch would be the captains name, ‘Ben’ is Hebrew for ‘the son of’, and then Leah would be his mother’s Hebrew name. So Captain Leah at the end of the article was a funny little mistake because that would make his mother the pilot instead of him! 🙂
Hilarious! Appreciate that correction. I’ll update story.
These non-Jews have no idea what’s going on.
I agree that it sounds a bit offensive but I promise you he was just trying to be funny. The first time my non Jewish friends saw me wearing tfillin they thought it was BDSM gear!!
Hahaha!
Thank you though, now I am more educated on a faith that I know very little about! I am a devout Christian and being so, I am called to love others of all faiths and of every culture as did Jesus. I am glad to learn about something I did not previously know! Thank you!
Jesus wore Tefillim when he said his daily prayers.
Beautiful story – thank you for sharing.
Guessing if it was a turban it would have been a lot more controversial D:
Well, Orthodox Jews didn’t fly jets into the WTC on 9/11/2001 (or done anything similar since then) so yeah – it probably would be.
Neither did Sikhs
It’s a great story. I avoid putting on tefilin during a flight because it can make others uncomfortable, though with some flight times and durations there’s no alternative. It also makes people uncomfortable in lounges, but at least there’s more space there. Lufthansa though is notorious for not allowing them to be used in their lounges.
A couple clarifications, while Rabbeinu Tam was a 12th century rabbi, in this case it’s referring to a 2nd pair of tefilin that is fashioned according to his rulings. Carrying around 2 pairs of tefilin and a talis takes up half my carry-on!
Yahrtzeit refers to the anniversary of someone’s passing on the hebrew lunar calendar, and is a a traditional time to visit a gravesite. Yesterday was the Rebbe’s 29th yahrtzeit and tens of thousands made the pilgrimage to spend a couple minutes at his gravesite. He frequently encouraged his followers to do good deeds and to help other Jews put on tefilin daily.
Thank you Dan! Appreciate the clarifications.
Hi Mathew,
This is Mushi Fogelman. you nailed it!! I want to add something I feel is really important and perhaps other airlines can learn. From the time I started my prayers every interaction with the staff on American Airlines was with intelligence, sensitivity, and a goal of diffusing and minimizing tension. That’s something we dont often see as of late. The staff was well trained and with the guidence of an extraordinary captain a difficult moment turned out really beautiful.
With a rise in anti semitism one never knows what to expect. I am a frequent flyer on American Airlines, (waiting for my Concierge key invite):):) Now my friends and community are their biggest fans.
“American” you are Americas Airline!! Land of the free, home of the Brave. Thank you!!!!!!
P.S. Love your Blog
Thanks for reading and for your great story, Mushi!
As a child flying between JFK and Brussels on Sabena, it was common to see Haredi Jewish passengers pray. Flight crews made space available in the back of the daily 747 to enable worship without disturbing other passengers. It was a lovely gesture of accommodation and solidarity.
What a great testament to American tolerance of others traditions.A wonderful anecdote to the story I just read about the pushing,punching,and spitting on orthodox priests in the Armenian quarter of Jerusalem becoming common place,and escalating since Netanyahu resumed office.Recently a restaurant was tore up there while patrons were eating,bashed with chairs,the jewish radicals shouting”death to muslims,death to christians”.
Matthew
Thank you for sharing. Flights to/from Israel often have groups gathering in the back to pray and I sometimes see people at the gate putting on their talis and tefillin.
Congratulations to the captain and also the gentleman who was polite but also encouraging.
Pilots should fly the plane and stay in the cockpit.
Nobody wants to talk to them or see them.
Their jokes are stupid.
Keep your religion inside your house. Nobody wants to see a religious nutcase at the controls of a plane.
People who believe in God are stupid.
There is no god.
I’m a lapsed Catholic, but as the saying goes, some of my best friends are Jewish, so I have some passing familiarity with some of the traditions.
Not only am I happy that the captain engaged in that fashion, but the comments to this story prove the point that these sorts of moments are critical to upholding American traditions of religious freedom.
Some of your commenters are clearly bigoted (I’m looking at you, @Chad, @Jaymes), proving that there is much work to be done in our society to protect the rights of everyone to live their culture. They’re just as bad as racist MAGA’s, maybe even worse, because the MAGA’s own their bigotry. I suspect @Chad and @Jaymes would object to the characterization, true though it is.
Magas are not racist.
The democrats are and have always been the party of slaves and slavery.
Even today.
Not all MAGAs are racist…but if you’re a racist, you’re probably a MAGA.
I gotta go +1 here
Its all cult behavior no matter what flavor
weird. The form said I was replying to Chad
+1 on his comment
How many Catholic priests have been spat in, cursed and verbally abused in airports for merely wearing their Roman collars?
It’s astounding people still believe in silly bronze age myths. One thing all religions have in common: they have the ability to look incredibly ridiculous with their little silly costumes.
You mean it’s OK for people to dress themselves as Amish, Muslim, transgender…but someone who wears a religous symbol is a silly costume?
Please recognize, that the beauty of America is, my silliness should be ok with you as long as I don’t violate your civil rights!
As a Executive Platinum flyer on American Airlines, this article made me smile. I’ve prayed many times on the plane, but I first let the staff know what I’m going to do.
I’ve always been treated with utmost respect and they appreciate that I give them a headsup.
It was nice to see that this became a learning experience for all, and that the pilot showed everyone how beautiful it is to celebrate who we are with a smile.
I love the story, as a fellow Jewish airline captain.
Some other bloggers seem, determined to tell negative and always vicious anti labor
stories( particularly Gary). It is so nice to see a positive. Story about airline employees.
Really cool story, thanks Matt. I think he handled this like a true professional.
Small typo, but you typed 9/11/2011. I know, time really flies. 22 years already.
I have been to many jewish services etc and have never ever seen anyone wear a Tefflin?????
If you went to those services on high holidays or on Saturdays, you would not see people wearing tefillin as it’s only worn on Sunday to Friday.
Hi Dee, You may not have been to an orthodox Jewish service, but rather a reformed or conservative service. I believe the Tefflin is worn by orthodox Jews, but not those who are less religious.
*tefillin
It’s nice to see a story of tolerance. As an Orthodox Jew myself, I have to say that when I am in the “reflection room” a feel a kinship with the praying Muslims. There are many ways to serve G-d and I respect all of them. Thanks for publishing this story!
Wonderful story, exceptional Captain. I’d like to add that it shouldn’t be a captain’s job to educate the flight attendants. TWA’s international training made sure we were more than prepared for these kind of situations. In fact, on the 747 flights to Tel Aviv our Service Manager would get the Duty Free done early so that area would be clear for prayer time. At the time of the merger, American was severely short on International training, from service to wines to cultural differences. It was heartbreaking when AA decided to cease flying to TLV, a flight that was always full, laying off and denying pensions to wonderful long serving employees. At least USAir restored the route.
I have no issues with Non-Christians praying on an airplane. But as a professional pilot that sits it the back of an airplane about 40-50 times a year to commute, you made one comment that drew my ire. Wait your turn to deplane the aircraft. You’re lucky no one knocked you on your tuchus for jumping up from the Emergency Exit row to be the first off the airplane. I might have.
Travel stories are so often about conflict. It’s nice to see one about peace and understanding.
I disagree. It’s entirely inappropriate. Now let’s see the Muslim crew call an Adhan and take out a prayer mat and see the reaction. Most Americans would probably go apoplectic.
I don’t ever see Jews taking up entire blocks in NYC during rush hour or in Europe to pray in the middle
of the street or demand to have space made for them! They pray privately and do their best not to bother anyone around them! Have you seen videos of
people who are told they cannot put a prayer mat in middle of the plane to pray???