He's from Moldova… 23 years old… recently made Aliyah… ear-rings in both ears… a nose ring... Refused to put on tefillin… wanted nothing to do with them!  

     After spending some time at the Kotel and he was on his way out, one of the guys asked me to try…. Maybe, I could get him.

     When you are trying to bring someone in who has already refused, it's pretty sure that he is not going to say 'yes' right away, if at all.

     First thing, don't ask him if he wants to put on tefillin, because he most likely doesn't want to put them on! Instead, say, Come, put on tefillin.

     Often, they are refusing because they do not know how to put them on so they feel uncomfortable, or they think it will take a long time…. What works best are things like; "Is your mother Jewish? If so, then come put on tefillin. She would want you to do it. Come, I'll help you. It only takes one minute and it doesn't cost money. Come, you'll have a good time," and reach out and see if you can gently pull him in.

     After he read the Shema and stood by the Kotel opening his heart by talking to Hashem, he came back and I asked him, 'How was it?" He answered, "Excellent."

     He wanted nothing to do with tefillin, and he ended up feeling that they are wonderful.

     When you win them over everyone wins. It makes them happy. It makes you happy. And it makes Hashem happy, too. An excellent thing to do.