As the Executive Director of the Community Theatre of Greensboro for 27 years and Temple Emanuel of…read moreGreensboro's Cantorial soloist for the same amount of time, I have spent my entire professional and personal life trying to give a voice to so many. In the fall of 2019, with the support of some private donors, I began my journey to put together a theatrical play of monologues expressing the sentiments of young Israelis and Palestinians about each of their futures individually and with regard to the state of Israel.
A friend of mine in Italy connected me with Zaid, a 24-year-old Palestinian refugee living in a refugee camp in Northern Lebanon. Via email, text, video, and WhatsApp, I got a unique and true perspective of how incredibly difficult his life is.
Electricity one hour a day, no education beyond the 9th grade, no access to health care, the inability to have a formal education and a decent job, and although he is second generation born in Lebanon, he is not allowed citizenship or any of the rights a Lebanese native born can have. What has impressed me most about Zaid is his open mind. From the moment we met, he has shared with me his respect for the Jewish people and the importance of a good relationship between Jews and Muslims and all people.
I have always admired our Rabbis at Temple Emanuel who have spent their lives performing tikun olam. I remember my Rabbi quoting many times from the Talmud, "Save one life and save the world", and so with that spirit and teaching in mind, I made a commitment to myself to do all I can to help Zaid to have a better life.
It is virtually impossible for him to get a Visa because without citizenship and a passport, all that Lebanon gives him is a travel document. I made two attempts to bring him to Greensboro to further his education but both interviews at the US embassy in Lebanon were fruitless. After lots of expense and time, the interviews lasted for a very short time and he was rejected. I tried again to get him a visa to Turkey, but that was fruitless as well.
Suddenly we heard that a window had opened for Palestinian refugees from Lebanon to visit the UAE. We applied and God blessed him with a 90-day tourist visa to Dubai!
Within weeks, I got him a plane ticket and made reservations at an Airbnb in Ajman, and with God's help, he made it to Dubai safely and without a hitch, I had gotten such pleasure out of watching him for the very first time in his life experience simple things like hot water, electricity 24 hours a day, ride the escalator, being able to walk anywhere he wants to walk and for the first time in his life, live with hopes of a future.
I remember as a small child listening over and over again to my Grandfather's story. A story of a young Jewish Man from Boryslav, Poland who fled to the United States because of the generosity of some distant relatives in New York he had never met. My grandfather lost almost all of his family in the Holocaust, and yet he was the most loving and generous man I have ever met. My grandfather took all of the pain and hurt he felt from the loss of his family and turned it into love and compassion for his family and all those around him. What a role model he was!
And so I, his beloved grandson, am trying in my own small way to spread that love to Zaid. While others might question why a Jew is helping a Palestinian, I know in my heart that God and my grandparents are guiding me in this journey because it is the right thing to do! I have thrown out into the world the possibility of Jews and Muslims living as brothers, with mutual respect for each other's religion, the desire to help each other when in need, and knowing that we can all work together for tikun olam, and hopefully someday all live in peace!
And so what does this have to do with PLS Check cashers? EVERYTHING!!! They also provide Western Union, which has been my way of sending him some support when needed. The visa application, the clothes for his first job in Abu Dhabi, seeing a doctor, etc. This PLS Check cashers is the bomb. They are spanking new and just minutes from my house. The place is as clean as a whistle, has a huge parking lot and there is never a line. TBH, the place is so big and the parking lot is as well, that I wonder if they were anticipating big crowds at this place. I hope they make it because it is very easy and convenient. What I also like about this place is that sending money is only $5 for Western Union and I payed $13 when I used the Walgreens near my house. Big difference!! Courteous staff, attentive security guard and a pleasure to walk in there. I really appreciate having this place near where I live. I understand there is another on Gate City Boulevard.
So, in their small way, PLS Check cashers has played a significant role in saving Zaid's life. Save one life and save the entire world!!
