The greatest joys in life often come from the way human beings face unexpected hardship together.
I wrote yesterday about the delayed EL AL flight from New York that ultimately diverted to Athens in order for observant passengers to avoid desecrating the Sabbath. There are still many questions over what exactly occurred onboard, but 150 passengers unexpectedly found themselves together in Greece from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
What the passengers didn’t know at that moment was what was waiting for them at the hotel that the airline had booked: a full-course Shabbat meal, prayer-hall accommodations and arrangements for customary Shabbat learning sessions, compliments of local Chabad emissaries Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Hendel. The couple, who have co-directed the Athens Chabad center since 2001, were alerted about the incoming flight and situation around 11 a.m. (Athens time) on Friday. By 4 p.m., they had put together a lavish Shabbat spread for what was actually more like 150 people.
Chabad is a movement within Judaism. More than just a sect, it is known for its outreach and has set up a “network of 3,600 institutions that provide religious, social and humanitarian needs in over 1,000 cities, spanning 100 countries.” This outreach is not exclusively for Chabad adherents, but offers humanitarian aid to unaffiliated Jews.
And when the Chabad chapter in Athens received word of the incoming EL AL flight, what a marvelous thing it did in preparing meals and accommodations for each passenger.
I love the fact that 150 people, brought together by an unwanted circumstance but united by a common faith, spent 24 hours bonding together. Various passenger accounts underscore what an incredible time this was.
> Read More: Did Passengers Attack EL AL Flight Attendants Over Sabbath Delay?
CONCLUSION
One thing I greatly respect about the Jewish faith is how there is such kinship worldwide. That’s a generalization, of course, but what a shame that often the most bitter divisions are within faith traditions.
While I do not blame these passengers for now suing EL AL over the delay, in a sense they experienced a blessing thanks to the unforeseen delay. It was at least one Sabbath they will never forget.
Thank you Matthew for your post. I direct a Chabad center in CA and I appreciate your making note of an often overlooked, yet active behind the scenes, movement that makes a difference in people’s lives.
G-d bless.
Good for you on finding a silver lining. The thing is, what would anyone base a lawsuit on? Were the passengers forced to fly during shabbat? No. Were the passengers who were willing to fly on shabbat provided transport that same day? Yes. Were the passengers in Athens provided food and accommodations? Yes. If the pilot had not decided to at least get near Israel, would all passengers have been delayed at least as long? Yes. This is suing for the sake of suing, which just looks like a scam.
Amazing article Mathew. Not sure if u heard but due to the nature of this particular there was a similar albeit less newsworthy situation about 5 months ago after this flight had to stop in goose bay for an emergency and again Cudnt make it to TLV in time for the Shabbat. Another mess up by El Al as they pushed all the way to ATH and landed minutes before sunset when they cud have let the pax off in London or zurich. Point being however that these same chabad emissaries came thru then again in the most incredible way providing full meals and everything else necessary for these passengers stranded in Athens. They are truly noteworthy individuals and its nice they get some recognition now.
Thanx again Mathew
Sorry even with all the good they have a right to sue based on 3 facts, maybe u haven’t heard.
1. While all the passengers made the flight for scheduled take off the flight crew was 2,5 late , by not planning ahead knowing the snow was coming in.
2. The pilot blatantly lied about returning to the terminal to let the shower Shabbos flyers off and went ahead and took off,
3. They circulated a story about violent charedi passengers when no such ppl existed.
Three very wrong items they need to pay and take stock off,
I find this fascinating.
I am curious – is there a time by which the flight must land in order for observant jews to be able to return home? What if a plane lands in time but a person lives a few hours from TLV?
Shabbat begins around Sunset (see here https://www.myzmanim.com/day.aspx?vars=APTLV/11-16-2018//2/11.5/20////////////cafd4e)
If the plane would have landed at that time the religious people would have stayed over in the airport till the end of Shabbat (26 hours later)