Brownies for Rescuers
Read Rabbi Avrohom Chayempour's reflections on 9/11 and how his family celebrated local firefighters.
Chabad Rabbi Avrohom Chayempour and his family from the Tyrone-Peachtree City area of South Georgia visited their local Fayette County firefighters on 9/11. Here is the rabbi’s reflection on the day:
“9/11 is still fresh in my mind. I was a young boy at the time, but that day is one I will never forget.
As the world was watching in terror and fear, and people running in all directions away from the World Trade Center, there was a group of men and women that ran towards the danger.
The fire department is always the first to arrive and ready to put themselves aside in order to save a life. There was no greater evidence of their self-sacrifice than of 9/11.
They ran in knowing the danger, but it was not about them, it was about us, saving a life. They are truly amazing people and we have so much to learn from them and appreciate.
Now, years later, as I reflect upon it and see my wife and children, it hits me how brave and dedicated these men and women from the fire department really were. They were parents as well.
So this year for 9/11, I wanted to express my feelings of appreciation. My wife Chaya baked some brownies and we made our way to the fire department.
We entered the station and were greeted warmly. My wife and I told the people there that we have Father’s and Mother’s Day as a reminder to show how much we appreciate our parents.
However, we felt that 9/11 should not only be a day to remember those that gave up their lives, but also remember and show appreciation to those who continue to serve and help our people.
They were truly touched, grateful and excited for some homemade brownies. They couldn’t stop thanking us and expressed how much they appreciated our visit and thoughtful gift.
We’ve been taught from the Baal Shem Tov that we can learn something from everyone and anything. What the men and women of the fire department teach me as a rabbi is commitment and dedication and how we should do our best to be there for our community.
Wishing everyone to be written for a good and sweet year.
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