In a perfect world you wouldn't be reading this. But it's not; so you are.
Rabbi Shmuli Novack of Chabad Southside reminisces after a recent prison visit to Jesup Georgia Federal Correctional institute. “Chances are you've never seen the inside of a prison. When you close your eyes and conjure images of what it must be like in there you probably envision hardened criminals with thick arms and grimacing stares.”
Now look again and you'll see a rabbi sitting at a table surrounded by inmates – Jewish inmates participating in a monthly get together. The men are discussing upcoming Jewish Holidays, the weekly Torah portion - even Israeli politics. Occasionally they will clap hands and sing a joyous Jewish melody. Welcome to FCI Jesup, GA, home to three Federal BOP facilities, and many other prison facilities in North East Florida that are visited by Chabad Rabbis and volunteers on a regular basis.
Novack says “Jews in jail? Unfortunately we do have brothers and sisters behind bars. These individuals are part of the Jewish community. Yes, people make mistakes but that doesn't land them a one way ticket out of the Faith.” Our Sages wisely taught that a Torah scroll comprised of hundreds of thousands of letters is rendered not kosher and unusable if even one letter is missing or broken. This concept carries over to the Jewish people. If even one individual is forgotten or left behind - the entire community is lacking - is considered unKosher.
During the year, Chabad rabbis and rabbinical students visit Jewish prisoners throughout the United States, bringing with them Tefillin, prayer books, and words of hope. This summer alone the students visited 3,700 Jewish inmates in more than 360 prisons in 37 states. The mass visits are arranged by the Aleph Institute, and in many cases local Chabad rabbis.
The relationship of Chabad of NE Fl and the surrounding prisons goes back to the very early years of Chabad’s founding in this region.
For many years Rabbi Yosef Kahanov made the monthly trek to the Federal Correction Facility in Jesup, GA as well as many of the surrounding state prisons. He also organized for rabbinic students from Miami to help with the visitations during the holiday seasons.
Rabbi Kahanov recalls how “in the early ‘90’s, when security standards were more lax, he was able to bring with him all types of delectable kosher goodies. He would often bring bagels, lox and
cream cheese. On Chanukah the prisoners were treated to delicious latkes and donuts.
On one occasion he was able to organize a Bar Mitzvah celebration for some of the inmates who never had that privilege. The event had all the characteristics of an actual Bar Mitzvah ceremony, including a Torah, tefillin and of course great food. On another occasion a shabbaton was arranged at which Rabbinic students were able to park an RV and spend the entire Shabbos with the Jewish inmates.”
For a year now, a group of individuals from the Jacksonville Beaches Jewish community have been visiting Florida state prison facilities on a monthly basis. One of the volunteers is Dr. Mendel (or Michael) Galer, he is the Director of Academic Affairs at the University of Phoenix here in North East Florida.
Galer relates, “The drive to visit the prisons is fun. There is fellowship and laughter. There are three volunteers that ride with Rabbi Kurinsky. We leave at 7:00 AM and by 8:00 the Rabbi usually suggests we try some of the lunch sandwiches that are packed for our trip. We had fresh bagels and tuna or cream cheese with a stop at Dunkin Donuts for liquid caffeine.”
Dr. Galer describes the visitation process as difficult but worthwhile. “When we arrive at the first of four prison stops we go through a bureaucratic identity process that is different every time. Sometimes we are refused permission to enter because there is a prisoner lockdown. On other occasions we are ushered through security and into a good size room where eight to twenty prisoners join us. I think that they are just happy to have any visitors and would talk to Mongolian sheep herders if the time is spent being talked to and treated like normal men. All the men put on Tefillin a couple can easily perform the mitzvah, the rest need our assistance. We
talk and the Rabbi usually learns with us all as the men focus intently. I found that these men appear to be the best adjusted and often ask for Jewish newspapers and magazines. The monthly visits clearly mean a great deal to these men and they demonstrate their gratitude with respect and good humor.”
Here is a wild thought: perhaps more than our incarcerated MOT (Members of the Tribe) look forward to their monthly visits from the Rabbis and volunteers we ought to appreciate their participation – completing us – like a Torah fully intact and fit rendering all of us Kosher.
So why not have a bite and see if there is any way you can be more involved with your community – you don't have to be locked up to be a part of it!
Rabbi Shmuli Novack of Chabad Southside reminisces after a recent prison visit to Jesup Georgia Federal Correctional institute. “Chances are you've never seen the inside of a prison. When you close your eyes and conjure images of what it must be like in there you probably envision hardened criminals with thick arms and grimacing stares.”Now look again and you'll see a rabbi sitting at a table surrounded by inmates – Jewish inmates participating in a monthly get together. The men are discussing upcoming Jewish Holidays, the weekly Torah portion - even Israeli politics. Occasionally they will clap hands and sing a joyous Jewish melody. Welcome to FCI Jesup, GA, home to three Federal BOP facilities, and many other prison facilities in North East Florida that are visited by Chabad Rabbis and volunteers on a regular basis.
Novack says “Jews in jail? Unfortunately we do have brothers and sisters behind bars. These individuals are part of the Jewish community. Yes, people make mistakes but that doesn't land them a one way ticket out of the Faith.” Our Sages wisely taught that a Torah scroll comprised of hundreds of thousands of letters is rendered not kosher and unusable if even one letter is missing or broken. This concept carries over to the Jewish people. If even one individual is forgotten or left behind - the entire community is lacking - is considered unKosher.
During the year, Chabad rabbis and rabbinical students visit Jewish prisoners throughout the United States, bringing with them Tefillin, prayer books, and words of hope. This summer alone the students visited 3,700 Jewish inmates in more than 360 prisons in 37 states. The mass visits are arranged by the Aleph Institute, and in many cases local Chabad rabbis.
The relationship of Chabad of NE Fl and the surrounding prisons goes back to the very early years of Chabad’s founding in this region.
For many years Rabbi Yosef Kahanov made the monthly trek to the Federal Correction Facility in Jesup, GA as well as many of the surrounding state prisons. He also organized for rabbinic students from Miami to help with the visitations during the holiday seasons.
Rabbi Kahanov recalls how “in the early ‘90’s, when security standards were more lax, he was able to bring with him all types of delectable kosher goodies. He would often bring bagels, lox and
cream cheese. On Chanukah the prisoners were treated to delicious latkes and donuts.On one occasion he was able to organize a Bar Mitzvah celebration for some of the inmates who never had that privilege. The event had all the characteristics of an actual Bar Mitzvah ceremony, including a Torah, tefillin and of course great food. On another occasion a shabbaton was arranged at which Rabbinic students were able to park an RV and spend the entire Shabbos with the Jewish inmates.”
For a year now, a group of individuals from the Jacksonville Beaches Jewish community have been visiting Florida state prison facilities on a monthly basis. One of the volunteers is Dr. Mendel (or Michael) Galer, he is the Director of Academic Affairs at the University of Phoenix here in North East Florida.
Galer relates, “The drive to visit the prisons is fun. There is fellowship and laughter. There are three volunteers that ride with Rabbi Kurinsky. We leave at 7:00 AM and by 8:00 the Rabbi usually suggests we try some of the lunch sandwiches that are packed for our trip. We had fresh bagels and tuna or cream cheese with a stop at Dunkin Donuts for liquid caffeine.”
Dr. Galer describes the visitation process as difficult but worthwhile. “When we arrive at the first of four prison stops we go through a bureaucratic identity process that is different every time. Sometimes we are refused permission to enter because there is a prisoner lockdown. On other occasions we are ushered through security and into a good size room where eight to twenty prisoners join us. I think that they are just happy to have any visitors and would talk to Mongolian sheep herders if the time is spent being talked to and treated like normal men. All the men put on Tefillin a couple can easily perform the mitzvah, the rest need our assistance. We
talk and the Rabbi usually learns with us all as the men focus intently. I found that these men appear to be the best adjusted and often ask for Jewish newspapers and magazines. The monthly visits clearly mean a great deal to these men and they demonstrate their gratitude with respect and good humor.”Here is a wild thought: perhaps more than our incarcerated MOT (Members of the Tribe) look forward to their monthly visits from the Rabbis and volunteers we ought to appreciate their participation – completing us – like a Torah fully intact and fit rendering all of us Kosher.
So why not have a bite and see if there is any way you can be more involved with your community – you don't have to be locked up to be a part of it!
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