New York – Photographs have been released from a pre-Purim meeting between a prominent New York rabbi and a Jewish prisoner being held in jail in Cuba.
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As previously reported on VIN News, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, president and founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and senior rabbi at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, spent approximately ninety minutes with Alan Gross, an American subcontractor who is serving a fifteen year prison sentence in Cuba.
Rabbi Schneier made an interfaith humanitarian appeal to the Cuban government for Gross’ release, citing the fact that both Gross’ elderly mother and daughter suffer from cancer.
“Pidyon Shvuyim is the one of the greatest mitzvahs,” Rabbi Schneier told VIN News. “I went to Havana not only to fulfill this mitzvah but also to give Alan Gross chizuk and assure him that he is has not been abandoned by the Jewish community.”
The meeting took place yesterday at a military hospital in Havana, where Rabbi Scheiner gave Gross a tallis, tefillin, a copy of Megillas Esther and some hamantashen.
“I found a man of faith, concerned about his family, hopeful and reassured that he has not been abandoned. Purim is a festival of miracles and we pray that a miracle will allow us to see a resolution of the pain and suffering of all involved,’’ said Rabbi Schneier.
Let’s hope this works and this Yid is free in time for Pesach.
Does anyone know why “The meeting took place yesterday at a military hospital in Havana”?
“I went to Havana not only to fulfill this mitzvah but also to give Alan Gross chizuk and assure him that he is has not been abandoned by the Jewish community.”
Now has he been forgotten about by members of the gentile community either! I’ve been following this story for months now & have been horrified by his treatment. The man’s lost over 100lbs in there! When are they going to let him out! Whatever “crime” he did, is NOT worth rotting 15yrs in a Cuban prison!
Poor man… this was nice of the Rabbi to visit him. I think it’s very important for Mr. Gross’s health, that he know people haven’t given up on him or forgotten about his cause.
G-d bless him this Purim. (:-(
Let’s hope it really is the time to see miracles!