He's from Russia but he has been living in Israel for some years. When I asked him to come put on Tefillin he gave me a very negative look, said, "No!" He even jumped back to get away from me! But then, I was surprised to see him ask the boy (his grandson) if he wanted to put them on. The boy wanted.

     I helped him to put on tefillin, and then tried again with his grandfather. He strongly refused. Shmuli jumped in and tried, but he was a toughie. No Way!

     I stepped toward him, grabbed his arm with both hands, shook his arm a little, and said one of the very few things I know how to say in Russian, "Idi suda!" (Come here!) and I pulled him a little. He gave in.

     He read the Shema in Russian while the boy read it in Hebrew. He wanted a lot of pictures. I showed him how to pray for his family and he and the boy went and stood, touching the Kotel, talking to Hashem for quite a while.

     When they turned around I had him give the boy the blessing that parents give to their children.

     I took his camera from him to take some pictures of them. He liked that.

     I made him smile for the pictures… he had a great time.

     When they finished, he looked at me, warmly smiled, (his face changed completely) and in Russian sincerely said, "Spasibo" (Thank you).

     It was great! He went from being a strong refuser, to greatly appreciating the experience of putting on tefillin and learning to talk to Hashem at the Kotel. 

     It is so nice to be able to help someone, and it is even nicer when they show you that they truly appreciate their experience. He took with him something precious that he did not even know to look for.