It’s hard to believe that our assignment is nearing its end. It’s been a hectic few weeks, in a good way. We flew into Milan, and spent a few days assisting one of the local Chabad rabbis. We also spent a memorable weekend in Venice, where Chabad Rabbi Rami Banin hosts hundreds of tourists every Shabbat. We shared some Torah thoughts at the Shabbat meals and helped the guests feel at home. After Shabbat, we drove about four hours to Turin. In contrast to Milan and Venice, there is only a tiny Jewish community there. Turin would be our base, and from there we would travel to the nearby mountaintop villages visiting Jewish people.

Giaveno, Sant'ambrogio, Susa, Rivoli—working with addresses given to us by the Chabad rabbi, we sought out Jews in these towns, meeting them at their homes and businesses, and offering them a listening ear, a friendly Jewish-themed chat, and the opportunity to wear tefillin, light the Shabbat candles, or affix a mezuzah to their front door.

Alberto and Silvia are an elderly couple who live in Cuneo, a small town 60 miles south of Turinmwith only a handful of Jewish residents. Armed with only the name of their street, we began to drive. We had contacted their daughter beforehand, and she told us not to bother—they were too old and wouldn’t appreciate our efforts. But she didn’t understand our M.O.— appreciation is nice, but our goal is to reach and impact Jews.

We found their street easily, parked the car, and began searching for their building. We realized that we were in trouble. Both sides of the street were lined with multi-story buildings, and we had no idea which one Alberto and Silvia called home. We could contact their daughter again, but that would mean another lecture. Just then, a woman passed by.

“Excuse me, would you perhaps know where Alberto and Silvia live?”

“Yes of course, they are my neighbors!” If she was surprised at our appearance, she hid it well. “You want to visit them? Come with me, I’ll take you.”

We were struck by this display of Divine Providence as we followed her into the building, and watched her open all the doors, and lead us straight into their home. It would have been nearly impossible to locate and enter the building and find the right apartment on our own. And contrary to their daughter’s predictions, Silvia greeted us happily. While her husband was resting, we talked with her, somehow getting into a deep chassidic discussion of the two souls every Jew possesses. Alberto awoke, and we all had a nice conversation. He too, was glad that we had made the trek to see them. Eventually, we helped him put tefillin. He is 95 years old. May G‑d grant them much health and happiness!