When Reut and Joseph traveled from Israel to Stamford, CT, they intended to stay for 10 days, celebrating Passover with their 3-year-old son and with family that lives in the US. But then, fate stepped in, and the Stamford Community stepped up. Reut, seven months pregnant, experienced a medical emergency and arrived at Stamford Hospital.  With the family concerned about Reut and their unborn child, they also had to worry about managing the observance of the Passover holiday.

Luckily, they arrived at their hospital room at the same time as Carol Krim and Gail G. Trell, who were delivering Shabbat packages to Jewish patients, an activity initiated many years ago by the Stamford Board of Rabbis. Carol and Gail moved right into action, helping the family learn about kosher for Passover meals for the patient and about the Shabbat elevator that runs on Shabbat and all Jewish holidays, and brought Joseph to Aaron’s Place, the Kosher Comfort Room (a project of United Jewish Federation) where he could get Kosher for Passover meals as well as snacks and drinks for himself and Reut. All the food is provided free of charge by 613 Restaurant, Schoke Jewish Family Service Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry, and community donations through UJF.  Carol and Gail also contacted Chabad and the Kosher room volunteers to solicit help, and kept in touch with the family, visiting and offering warm support.

After the holiday, local Jewish WhatsApp group members reached out and found a family willing to give Reut and her family their finished basement as a home in Stamford. What was expected to be a few days of accommodation stretched to over a month. Chabad welcomed their son at the Gan. Many families from across the Stamford community synagogues, invited the family to join in Shabbat meals.

Reut and Joseph welcomed baby girl, Avigayil, who arrived early and tiny, needing time in the Stamford Hospital NICU.

After quite a journey, the family of four was able to return to Israel in early July, after a farewell swim and ice cream date at the home of the Krims. They left knowing that they were blessed to land in the middle of the warm, caring, giving Stamford Community.

Aaron’s Place, a Kosher Comfort Room at Stamford Hospital, is operated by volunteers and is available free of charge to anyone in need.  Volunteers are needed, and anyone who is interested can contact ronsichel@aol.com.  More information can be found at www.ujf.org/aaronsplace.