My visit to Finland

Dear Friends,

Last week, Jews all over the world celebrated the holiday of Simchat Torah. For me, personally, this year was a very unusual celebration. I was invited by my friend and colleague Rabbi Benyamin Wolff from Helsinki, Finland, to celebrate the holiday with him and his community. What can I tell you? It was absolutely amazing. The Finnish are very proud of their country and almost every person you meet worked or works at Nokia, or at least uses their service.

In Helsinki there is a small but very warm Jewish community. The Chabad Rabbi Benyamin and his wife Ita work there successfully and very impressive.
There are many interesting things to say about the happenings there. However, two special, spiritual experiences, which I will not forget that quickly, I would like to share with you.

I haven't been to the Knesset in Jerusalem yet, but I managed to pay a visit to the Finish parliament. How come?

On Erev Yom Tov, Rabbi Benyamin made some phone calls to friends in his community, to wish them Chag Sameach. One of them was Mr. Ben Zyskowicz, a warm Jew, who is a member of the finnish parliament for years, and is a known politician in the country. Mr. Zyskowicz invited the Rabbi and myself to visit him at the parliament. Rabbi Benyamin is a familiar face in the house of representatives, and therefore we were spared from going through the security check. (This worked out well, since if they would notice that I use the Iphone from Apple and not a Nokia device, they may not have let me in :)).

We go inside and Mr. Zyskowicz welcomes us happily. It was the last day of Sukkot, so he asked if he can make the blessing on the Lulav. When Rabbi Benyamin offered him to perhaps go to a private room and do it there, the parliament member insists on doing the blessing right there in the hallway. So here I get to see a very unusual scene. In middle of the hallway of the finish parliament, Mr. Zyskowicz is saying the special blessing on the Four Kinds all excitedly, while getting puzzled looks from his friends, the finance minister, the speaker of the house and more.

I was very inspired from this Jewish member of the finish parliament, who is so proud of his Jewish identity in middle of the parliament.

Another special moment was on Simchat Torah morning. As we were walking to Shul on the beautiful day, we meet a Jew who was on his way, not to Shul, but to his Law Office. When he saw us, he shouted out in Yiddish, but with a thick Finnish accent... "Rabbi... Gut Yom Tov- Chag Sameach". Then he turned to us pleadingly: " Guys, today is Simchat Torah and I am not able to come to Shul. What will be with my Simchat Torah Dancing?" Before I could turn around, I see my friend Rabbi Benyamin and the Jewish lawyer (whose name I don't even remember) dancing together in middle of  Helsinki's main street, singing the famous song "Am Yisrael Chai".

Happiness and pride filled my heart to see two Jews on Simchat Torah morning, with smiles on their faces, proud and happy with their Jewish identity in middle of nowhere.

Sometimes the most unexpected things happen specifically in unusual places.

Am Yisrael Chai - the Jewish Nation is alive - also in Finland.

Rabbi Chaim

Me and Mr. Ben Zyskowicz at the Finnish parliament.