Picture: Larry (at center) and some of Caf'e English participants at the 8th candle lightning

When evacuated from Ein Hod, Larry from Boca found a home in Kiryat Bialik

"I've been living in Israel on and off for some time and I'm planning to make Aliyah soon, but I never thought I'd become a refugee in Eretz Israel," said Larry Rosenman of Boca Raton.

But life is full of surprises. Larry, a member of the P2K committee in Boca, has spent the last couple of months in Israel. Among other things, he paid a weekly visit to Kiryat Bialik, SPBC's partner within the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000, where he held a program titled Caf? English. Last week, when the fire caught on Mt. Carmel, Larry was evacuated from his rented house in the village of Ein Hod. And he found refuge in the home of his good KB friends, the Schwartz family.

Eight years ago, when the partnership between KB and SPBC was established, Talia Schwartz, then 18, came to Boca Raton as a Young Schlicha (emissary). She was hosted for 4 months at the Rosenmans' home. Talia kept in touch with Larry and his family ever since, and he became a good friend of her entire family. "He is like a family member to me," said Shula Schwartz, Talia's mother. "So when I heard about the fire, I called him immediately and invited him to stay for as long as he needed." And she wouldn't take no for an answer, Larry pointed out.
 
"Larry loves Israel wholeheartedly and I'm so glad he decided to make Aliyah," Talia said. "I believe having experienced this tragedy will connect him even stronger. You become a true partner when you take part in the tragedies, too."

Always willing to contribute, Larry has now completed the third round of Caf? English, a series of conversational sessions. It gives KB residents an opportunity to improve their English skills in a friendly setting, while getting a glance into the world of American Jews. Various topics are discussed, such as Jewish education, assimilation, Gilad Shalit, Israel's PR, and the country's coping with disasters such as the Carmel fires, which Larry experienced first hand.

"I received so many calls and invitations to stay, it was amazing," he said. "I didn't even realize I knew so many people here. People who barely know me opened their homes for me. That's what is so wonderful about Israel. Many American Jews think Israel is only about wars. They don't comprehend that people lead full, good lives here, and in a time of need, they're there for one another. I truly hope to complete my Aliyah process this coming year and become an Israeli."

Last week, at the concluding session of Caf? English, Larry said the blessing over the eighth Chanukah candle. And this time, the words "Bayamim Hahem, Bazman Hazeh" (in those days, at this time) were given a whole new meaning.

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