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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com,
April 16, 2026, 29, Nissan, 5786
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Passover, the holiday we celebrate freedom. But are we truly free ? Free of what? Freedom of emotions that might make us sad instead of happy. Freedom of the “forces” that discourage continuation of doing kind deeds, gemilus chasadim? Freedom of being strong and steadfast and proud to be a Jew even in the present state of antisemitism. Freedom of having negative thoughts and the opportunities of being a happier person. Freedom of being able to help mend a broken heart.
There is a saying “It is not what you say but how you say it.” But on the other hand, it does make a difference not only how you say it but what you do say. The most important thing is to be sincere. A person can make a Kiddush H speaking politely, with niceness and with sincerity to a person of another background. Words can be soothing, can be comforting especially when caring for another person undergoing a challenging time in his or her life. Body language can also show one’s expression of what he or she is saying. Expressing one’s feeling of happiness and joy whether it be sharing, or joining another person’s gladness can be very meaningful. I remember when taking CPE my supervisor shared that it is not only all right but very much appreciated by a person who was being ministered with to cry, laugh, smile and share with that person a chaplain’s feeling as appropriate. It is also praiseworthy to help diffuse negative feelings when possible but always making sure to be cognitive of that person’s feelings and how to respond in a positive and significant way.
I would like to share this beautiful story by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn from “At the Maggid’s Seder, Artscroll, Mesorah Publications, Ltd.” Pages 87 -89 Yachatz (The broken matzah)” Take heart, even if you sometimes been broken; although it caused heartache and discomfort, more likely than not, you grew from the situation. And if you find yourself now in a trying time, look at the afikomen and gain strength. You too, with H’s help shall gain eminence before “this night” is over.
“In March of 2019, I received a call from a Kollel fellow, Asher Yurowitz, in Houston, Texas, who told me about Nechemia Passel, who had been born with only one arm and was about to celebrate his bar mitzvah. “You befriended this boy when you met him here in Houston seven years ago, and I know he would appreciate a call from you in honor of the simcha. Would you mind calling him?”
Within minutes, I was on the phone with Nechemia. As we reminisced about our meeting years earlier, it occurred to me that a wonderful elderly gentleman, Mr. Woli Stern of San Paulo, Brazil, could give this child more chizuk than I ever could. Mr. Stern had lost his left arm in an accident when he was nineteen years old. Despite this handicap, he had become extraordinarily successful.
After my call to Nechemia, I contacted Mr. Stern and asked if he would write to the boy. The letter he sent is so exceptional, filled with love, advice and guidance for anyone who may feel “broken”.
Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov!!
On the occasion of your Bar Mitzvah, it is my privilege and honor to wish from the bottom of my heart that H grant you to always go from strength to strength and merit to go on and become an Adam Gadol.
My name is Woli Stern, I’m 89 and live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I lost my entire left arm in a car accident at the age of 19. At the time, I was completely devastated. But the first thought flashing through my mind was, “I will not let this accident drag me down and stop me in life!! I will try my best to continue life business as usual, as if nothing had happened, as far as possible.” From that day on, my handicap became my driving force. I did not let it get to me, and, as soon as people understood that, they reciprocated the feeling and related to me normally. The sheer will power required to overcome my handicap became my greatest asset and I was able to go on with life almost as usual. I became the fist Brazilian boy to go on to study at the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleavland, Ohio.
Boruch H, H sent me an extremely refined lady whom I ended up marrying. She did not see any reason in this handicap to reject the shidduch and we are very happily married ever since, for more than 60 years.
Boruch H, H has been very kind to me and I’ve been able to do many positive things; learn and work normally, run a successful business, take an active role in community matters, and help promote many worthy Jewish causes.
To mention just two examples; I take special pride in the fact that I’ve been privileged to be associated with ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications by sponsoring the publication of Tractate Horayos/Eduyos of its Talmud Bavli series.
Furthermore, I spend most of the day working for an organization called EFRAT, which is dedicated to assisting pregnant women in Israel. Be’zras H, we were able to save close to seven thousand (7,000) unborn children so far.
I have always loved to assist people whenever I could, and in fact, my handicap has not withheld me from doing any of the above.
It never stopped me from driving a car. I used to play tennis when I was younger and even started to ski at the age of fifty, doing so for many years!
There was not a single problem for which I required the help of others. It’s all in your mind. It is your mind that instructs and commands your actions. Thanks to H, I have been successful in all my endeavors.
I know what it feels like when your great bar mitzvah moment is coming up and you anticipate all the people staring at you. So, in view of my own personal experience, my advice to you is simply the following: Just get up and do whatever you planned on doing in front of the public, seriously, tranquilly, and with confidence, as if there were no handicap. It will earn you the people’s greatest respect. At the end of the day, the basis for people to decide how to relate to you is your own handicap. It is entirely up to you, because as Chazal say, people’s attitude toward you simply mirrors your own attitude toward them.
Trust that H will make things work out for you, believe in yourself, and alei hatzlach, rise and succeed!! You have a great life ahead of you!
Wishing you best of luck in all your endeavors.
Shehakadosh Baruch Hu yitein vesizkeh ligdol lesheim ulsiferes beYisrael lihiyos adam gadol baTorah uvamitzvos lerov nachas hahorim vehamishpachah vestzliach bechal asher tifneh letovah velivrachah.
Sincerely yours,
Woli Stern
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Broken? We can rebuild with drive, determination, and dedication.”
Life has its challenges and having a positive outlook in life is important.
Helping to uplift one’s spirit can be truly significant.
Sincerely yours, Rabbi Yehuda Blank