ח Chabad of Maslul Merchavim · Negev
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The Kleinman family home after the fire — a charred ceiling and a floor covered in soot and water
Chabad of Merchavim · Maslul

The home burned.
The light they spread must go on.

On Friday evening, a fire broke out in the home of the Rebbe’s emissaries in Moshav Maslul. Thank God, every member of the family was saved — but the home, which for years served as an open house for the entire moshav, was badly damaged.

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Friday Evening

In a single moment, everything changed

The Kleinman family home was ready: the Shabbat candles, the set table, the food, the guests, and the activities planned for the moshav’s children and teens. Rabbi Israel went with his son Shmuel to pray at the synagogue; the girls went out to the Kabbalat Shabbat program, and Leah went to another activity across the moshav.

“Daddy, there’s no electricity at home… and there’s a fire.” — One of the daughters, entering the synagogue during the prayers

Rabbi Israel rushed home at once, together with friends from the synagogue. The first thing he did was make sure all the children were outside and safe. Firefighters were called, neighbors came to help, and the crews battled the flames spreading through the house.

Before their eyes, the place where the family lived went up in flames — the very place that had served for years as an open home for the entire moshav.

The living room after the fire — the ceiling torn open, soot covering the walls and belongings
The place where the family lived — and where, for years, they hosted the whole moshav.
Who they are

A home that is a mission

More than a decade ago, Rabbi Israel and Leah Kleinman came to Moshav Maslul to help with Chabad activity across the region’s moshavim. They went on to establish the Chabad House in the moshav — a hub of Jewish and communal life around the clock. Over the years the work grew, adding regular programs for children and teens. At an appreciation event held in their honor, some 200 residents and friends of the moshav took part — a testament to the deep bond formed with the community.

For the Kleinman family, the mission does not end at the Chabad House door. Their private home is a Chabad House: the home children and teens walk into without hesitation, where classes, gatherings and heart-to-heart talks take place, and where Shabbat meals are held for guests. There is always a listening ear, a warm meal, and someone who truly cares.

Moments from their work in the region

The fire consumed the home — but it could not put out the light.

When the house burned, the mission did not stop

“We, too, are now beginning a new journey.”

After the firefighters arrived and it was clear the whole family was safe, Rabbi Israel realized there was nothing more he could do at the scene — and he returned to the synagogue. It was exactly the hour he was to deliver the Torah thought. Instead of what he had prepared, he spoke of Parashat Masei, and while the firefighters were still battling the flames he told the community: we do not yet know where this journey will lead, but we believe it too will take us, with God’s help, to a better place.

The house burned — but faith stood firm. Property was lost — but the sense of mission was not.

The decision

“Shabbat will remain Shabbat”

Once they knew everyone was safe and well, Rabbi Israel and Leah made a decision together: during Shabbat, we do not deal with the fire. Shabbat will remain Shabbat — in prayer, in joy, and in service.

The regular youth class, meant to be held in their home, was moved to the sports park and took place as planned. The Psalms (Tehillim) program for the moshav’s children was not cancelled. The summer camp kept running.

Even when they had no home to return to, they made sure the moshav’s children had somewhere to come. And even when they themselves needed help — they kept giving to others.

After Shabbat, amid the ruins — the mission’s activity continues
After Shabbat, amid the ruins — the mission does not pause for a moment.
After Shabbat

When the fire was out, the extent of the damage emerged

Only after Shabbat ended did the family begin to face reality. A room and a half burned. The kitchen and other parts of the home were damaged. Much of the contents was destroyed by fire, smoke, soot and the water used to put it out — clothing, furniture, household equipment and personal belongings were damaged or no longer usable.

The smell of smoke reached every corner. The home, in which years of life, hospitality and mission had been invested, became within a short time a place that could not be lived in.

A kitchen corner burned to the core — a charred oven and microwave
The kitchen — where the fire began
The ceiling collapsed, exposing the steel frame and insulation
The ceiling collapsed
The hallway, blackened with soot
The hallway
The utility room — everything charred
The utility room
Assessing the damage in the home after the fire was extinguished
Assessing the damage
An inside look
A walk through the house
The rooms that burned — furniture, ceiling and contents
From the table to the ashes
The Shabbat table that had been set — and what remained around it
And amid the destruction — one miracle

Thank God, not one member of the family was harmed.

They left the house safely — but were left without a livable home, and without much of the equipment a family needs for daily life.

The moshav opened its heart

They were not left alone

From the very first moment, the residents of Maslul surrounded the family: people came to the scene, offered a place to sleep, brought clothing and supplies, cared for the children, called, asked how they could help — and simply were there. Families in the moshav opened their homes and their hearts, giving the family strength through the hard days. This response is no accident: for years, Rabbi Israel and Leah were there for everyone. Now the community wishes to be there for them.

But beyond the initial help, the family faces a long and costly process — temporary housing, professional cleaning, clearing out contents, repairing fire and water damage, restoring the rooms, and replacing the equipment that burned.

For years they opened the door for all of us.
Now we open our hearts for them.

Now it’s our turn

To rebuild the home that was always open

The Kleinman family never saw their home as a private place alone — it was an inseparable part of their mission. Now this home needs us. Your donations will help fund:

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