Cultural Connections at Santiago Beach in Brazil

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A beautiful day of cultural exchange on Santiago Beach

News Summary

During a vacation in Brazil, Rabbi Zalman and Bassie Marcus encountered a group of Noahides at Santiago Beach, leading to a heartfelt cultural exchange. The connection deepened through shared music and discussions about their respective communities, illustrating the power of friendship across cultures. This meeting highlighted the spiritual bonds that transcend differences, emphasizing the importance of community and understanding.

Beach Meeting in Brazil Highlights Connection Between Cultures

São Paulo, Brazil – Rabbi Zalman and Bassie Marcus, directors of the Chabad Jewish Center of Mission Viejo in California, experienced an unexpected and profound spiritual connection during their vacation in Brazil. The couple was in the country to celebrate their grandson Yakov’s third birthday, which was part of a community Lag BaOmer event attended by members of the local Jewish community.

Following the birthday celebration, the Marcus family, which included their children and grandson, vacationed at Santiago Beach, known for its tranquility and picturesque views surrounded by mountains and white sandy waves. On Shabbat morning, the couple took a stroll along the beach, seeking refuge from the sun under the shade of nearby trees.

While walking, a non-Jewish woman named Rachel greeted them with “Shabbat Shalom,” demonstrating a surprising familiarity with the Jewish term. She was with a group that included another pregnant woman, Gabriella, and an older couple. Rachel and her companions are part of a community of Noahides, non-Jews embracing Torah principles, who frequently attend events organized by the Chabad community in Brooklin, São Paulo.

Cultural Exchange Through Music

Rachel and Gabriella impressed the Marcus family with their knowledge of Jewish laws, practices, and music. They expressed a fondness for Jewish musicians Avraham Fried and Benny Friedman, which prompted Bassie to share that Avraham Fried is Rabbi Zalman’s uncle and that Benny Friedman is his cousin. This connection led to a warm exchange, where the group sang songs by Benny Friedman and Avraham Fried together on the beach.

During their conversation, Rabbi Zalman explained their visit to Brazil in connection with their daughter and her husband, who operate a CTeen program in São Paulo. Rachel referenced a significant Hebrew term, “Ufaratzta,” meaning “to spread out”, which resonates with Chabad teachings. The group then sang “Ufaratzta” together, further strengthening their newfound bond through music.

Building Community Across Borders

Rachel informed the Marcus family about the annual seminar for Noahides held by Chabad in Brooklin, Brazil. She expressed keen interest in their family name and asked to add their contact details to her phone while clarifying Shabbat regulations. This exchange reflected a genuine desire to connect and learn more about each other’s cultures and practices.

The serendipitous meeting between the Marcus family and Rachel’s group is notable, as the couple reflected that had they chosen to stay closer to the water, they might not have encountered them at all. Rabbi Zalman attributed their meeting to divine providence, emphasizing the belief in the mysterious workings of God that lead to such meaningful connections.

A Heartfelt Conclusion

After Shabbat, Rachel reached out to the Marcus couple with a message expressing the delightful coincidence of their meeting and extending warm wishes for their time in Brazil. The experience illustrated the universal connections that can be made through cultural exchanges and shared values, resulting in memorable moments that transcend traditional boundaries.

This unexpected interaction at Santiago Beach serves as a reminder of the power of community and cultural understanding, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in a spirit of friendship and connection.