Note from director, Rhonda Moskowitz:
The 24 year old man we’re filming, Philip (Hebrew name Fivel), sent this blog at my request, and writes with a great deal of heart and humanity. I’m committed to giving him a voice before the film is released, where otherwise he would remain unheard. And what a voice he has! He is one of the main people in my film, RETURN (TESHUVA).
Fivel’s Blog
Allow me to give a short geography lesson. The location of my prison is in the middle of nowhere. The city is called Lake Butler, but I think over exaggeration had a hand in naming it– maybe Pond Butler, (lol). Sorry, to the point: In Pinellas County Jail I was privy to Tefillin, kosher meals and weekly Torah service. None of the above are offered here. No Tefillin, not even a designated row in the chapel for prayer.
Okay, I made my bed. So independent study has been my method of spiritual renewal. I’ve had help from Rabbi Katz* (The Aleph Institute), my family, and another great rabbi, Rabbi Segal,** and I have been working diligently through Rabbi Segal’s publications (The Handbook For Jewish Spiritual Renewal and the Compendium to Talmudic and Ethical Torah Teachings.) Gentlemen and family, I thank you. But I’ve had a long time without any physical conversation with someone like myself or a rabbi or any Jew for that matter.
Well about a month ago, I get called up to the officers station and they inform me that a chaplain ws here to see me. I was not only shocked at the visit, but the reaction of who the visitor was, was in their eyes.
So, as I’m walking to the Visitor Park, I get interrogated by several officers about my religious beliefs; this in turn told me that a rabbi was here to see me. When the staff was satisfied by my answers they permitted me into the Visitor Park. There stood a 21 year old post Yeshiva student ready to welcome me with smiles and open arms.
His name is Moshe Minsky and resides in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. He was small in stature, large in enthusiasm. At one point of our hour visit, he wanted to dance like it ws Simchas Torah. The officer told him that “supervised” the visit was not so amused. Although I was.
We had a wonderful discussion, talking Midrashic tales and Talmudic thought comparison. And yes, he had Tefillin with him. Much to his delight I could put them on correctly and daven (pray) without assistance. He informed me that most of the Hews he’s seen didn’t have much of a clue how to dress them properly. He was happy, I was thrilled, and I wanted to thank him, Moshe Minsky, for dedicating his time and heart to warming up mine in physical exile from my people.
On behalf of the Aleph Institute, I wanted to extend a deep thanks to Rabbi Menachem Katz for arranging the visit as well.
So everyone, thank you for listening and hopefully some of these heartwarming experiences to me can move the hearts of you all, too. If there are questions or any related words you wish to ask me, you are surely entitled to leave a comment.
As we approach the High Holidays, I eagerly ask you all to do some Chesbon Ha Nefesh (Inventory of the Soul) and look at how we can improve for next year. We are daily getting closer to Moschiach (the Messiah) coming, and only positively observed mitzvot will hurry him along. Thanks for your time. May HaShem (G-d) guide you in all your endeavors.
A special thanks to Rhonda Moskowitz, producer and director, for walking with me every step of this epic. I love you.
Mom, dad, Josh, Rachel, Kelly, connor, Dana and all the Osnos’s. I love you guys, too. The Merchant family as well.
My cousin, Martin, in Union Correctional, *** I love you, cuz.
My Beshert, Courtney, and my two wonderful children, Elijah and Camden. I love you so much, I swear and I promise.
Shalom,
Fivel (Philly)
Directors Notes:
* Rabbi Menachem Katz is in charge of sending rabbis and Yeshiva students into prisons throughout our nation to work with incarcerated Jews. For many Jewish prisoners, the people sent by Rabbi Katz are the only contact they have with fellow Jews, as you just read in Philip’s case.
** I came upon Rabbi Arthur Segal and his two Jewish Renewal books on the internet by happenstance. I thought Philip might benefit from them and e-mailed the rabbi. Rabbi Segal, out of the goodness of his heart, extended a helping hand. He arranged to send his two books to Philip in prison, at no charge, and is now working intensely with Philip, as a spiritual guide to help Philip lead a righteous life. Toda Raba to Rabbi Segal! Check out his books.
Tags: Jewish, Jewish documentary, jewish film, Jewish Prisoners, Judaism
Teshuvafilm's Blog 
September 22, 2009 at 8:02 am |
Thank you for bringing attention to the people behind bars. i founded HOPE-HOWSE Int’l. after witnessing an electric chair execution (GA), as media.
In the early days much of the work was with Jewish prisoners. i encourage you to PLEASE visit our website and read some of the articles in the “articles” section.
“I met G-d on Death Row” might be of interest. Also the article by Rodger Kamenetz. HOPE-HOWSE, along with Aleph and Jewish Prisoners Services serve Jewish prisoners.
Thank you for your work!
May 29, 2011 at 10:58 pm |
So moving. I never understood how things have escalated to this. I’ve known Phil the majority of my life and to see him expressing himself this way saddens me, as well as shows me his interior. He’s one of the most humble people I’ve met in my life. Although i’m not a jewish follower, he still gets my prayers as often as i make them. Phil was the type to give you the shirt off his back, so a few words of sincerity is the least i could give him right now. Whenever i called upon him, he was there with a helping hand. Like an older brother. I thank you Phil for effecting my life and rubbing some of your wisdom off in me. I Love You Bro and ill see you soon.
Chris