Israeli Insurance Agents' Torah Scroll Denied Flight in Vietnam
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Twenty Israeli insurance agents and their spouses were delayed for nearly two hours at Hanoi airport when a local airline refused to let a Torah scroll board their flight. The group refused to fly without it, leading to a senior official from their organizing company, Menora Mivtachim, purchasing an extra ticket for the scroll. The incident occurred as the group was traveling to northern Vietnam for a trip that included observant Jews wishing to hold prayer services.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli insurance agents were delayed in Vietnam when an airline refused to let a Torah scroll board their flight.
- The agents refused to fly without the scroll, causing a two-hour airport delay.
- A senior official from Menora Mivtachim purchased an extra ticket for the Torah scroll to resolve the issue.
- The group was traveling to northern Vietnam for a trip organized by the insurance company.
- The Torah scroll was brought from Israel for observant Jews to use for prayer services.
A group of 20 Israeli insurance agents and their spouses faced a nearly two-hour delay at Hanoi's airport in Vietnam when local airline staff refused to allow a Torah scroll to be brought aboard a flight to northern Vietnam. The agents, who were on a trip organized by Menora Mivtachim insurance company, insisted they would not fly without the scroll, which was brought from Israel for religious services. Amit Kadmi, a senior vice president at an insurance agency, was carrying the scroll, which was wrapped in a prayer shawl and protective coverings. Airline officials initially refused, citing a lack of space and suggesting it be checked with luggage, which Kadmi refused, stating it was forbidden. He offered to hold the scroll on his lap and pay for an extra seat, but the airline staff, who did not understand its significance, remained unyielding.
The situation escalated as the flight's departure neared, with the other agents forming a united front, vowing not to leave Kadmi and the Torah scroll behind. The impasse was finally resolved when a senior official from Menora Mivtachim purchased an additional plane ticket for the Torah scroll, allowing it to be brought onto the plane. The group included observant Jews who wished to hold prayer services and read from the Torah while traveling abroad. A local Chabad emissary, Rabbi Yossi Cohen, had joined the group in Hanoi and assisted with kosher food arrangements.
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