Montana isn’t exactly known for its large Jewish population but that was no reflection of its sense of Jewish brotherhood.
When 300 passengers on an El Al Tel Aviv to Los Angeles flight had to make an emergency landing in Billings, Montana due to engine concerns, Jewish locals came to the rescue.
According to Chabad.org, passengers disembarked the plane and were bused to a terminal, where they waited for another plane to take them to their final destination—Los Angeles International Airport. There they sat as the hours ticked away and the food supplies—in particular, the kosher food—dwindled.
Hillel Fuld of Beit Shemesh, Israel, says that somehow, Rabbi Chaim and Chavie Bruk—co-directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana in Bozeman—got news of the situation and set about immediately to offer assistance. With her three young children in tow, Chavie Bruk drove a car full of kosher food 150 miles to Billings Logan International Airport, where passengers had been waiting for nearly 10 hours.
“A Kosher Rescue Mission for El Al Travelers Stuck in Montana” has the full story.
The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.