It was with a small gathering but with great emotion that Rav Druckman, who directs the Beth Chabad of St-Maur, took a most unusual couple to the Chuppa this week; Sam Kalozansky, 90 years old, and Liliane Reznick, 75, both Holocaust Survivors! A beautiful lesson of hope in these troubled times ...

The story began a few years ago at Beth Chabad in St-Maur, when Druckman met two charming seniors who started to frequent his community. "The Chatan was totally disconnected from his Jewish roots," says Rav Druckman.

''In his youth he experienced the Holocaust and he suffered the hell of the concentration camps, from which he managed to escape to return to France. Alas, he married a non-Jew, with whom he did not have children. The Kalla, was orphaned at a very young age and grew up in an orphanage. She also married a non-Jew, but like her Chatan, she had no children."

Two Jews, far removed from Judaism, and who seemed entirely uninterested in getting closer to Judaism... But that is without counting on the kindness and the boundless generosity of the Druckman couple! "Our mission here is to identify these lost Jews and to bring them back to the fold. When we met this couple, a few years ago, they did not know each other and they were very far from the Torah. It has been a while now, since they have joined our community, participated in Shabbatot, Torah classes, etc. A month ago, we realized that Mr. Kalozansky had not had the opportunity to celebrate his bar mitzvah! We organized one for him, with an aliyah to the Torah, tefillin, etc. It was really an experience, his face shone with happiness."

But how did the couple meet?, we can't help but wondering... "They met here at Beth Habad," said Druckman. ''A few months ago, I explained to them the importance of marriage according to the Torah and I offered to take the step. They accepted with joy, and last Sunday, we took them to the Chuppa... They were overjoyed! There was great simcha in the community. People from all walks of life came to delight them and even decided to strengthen their own Torah practice following this unique and moving event."

A beautiful lesson of life and hope... Mazal Tov (newly) married couple!