There's a wild story that happened with our volunteers three years ago. Yisroel and Uziel were heading up the New South Wales coast, and stopped in a petrol station in Port Macquarie.
While they are filling up, a fellow comes over and says hello. Turns out, he's Jewish, from England, and moved to Australia a few years back. The last Jewish thing he remembers was his Bar Mitzva half a century earlier.
The rabbis invite him on to the Mitzva Tank, and say the Shema together with him. A lovely encounter. They also make sure to give this fellow some candles and a menorah, as it was Chanuka.
They soon realise after driving off that they forgot to get this fellow's details, so that they can stay in touch. They look through the photo they took together, but in it, their new friend was covering his face with his hand, as is customary to do during the Shema.
All Yisroel and Uziel have is their freind's name - Neil - and that he lives near the petrol station.
No phone number, not even a picture of the fellow to refence back to!
After a short search, with barely any results, they move on.
Two weeks later, Rabbi Menachem Aron gets an email. Its a lit up Menorah, with a little Santa next to it.
"Thanks for wonderous gift. Best wishes, Neil"
It turns out we hadn't lost touch altogether - Neil had sent us an email!
"Did you meet our rabbis in a petrol station?"
"Yes, that was me!"
Wow. We had reconnected! From Birmingham to Port Macquarie, a Jewish soul had remained lit, and connected.
Needless to say, we have kept in touch since, and it has been a real pleasure getting to know Neil and his family.
You just never know who you might meet!
