Guestbook

The Machlises are the greatest Chessed warehouse I know. I’ve had the true honor and privilege of getting to know Harav Mordechai and Rebbitzen Henny over the course of a few years and what they do is absolutely out of this world. I couldn’t imagine donating to a worthier cause.

May God bless them with the ability to do so so much more. May they have the ability to invite many hundreds of people each Shabbat to the amazing sanctification of God’s name that they call “home”.

aharon ,
This is beyond words!
I was very moved by the article, knowing the Machlis's personally. The experience is very heartwarming. How Rabbi and Reb. Machlis give of themselves and devote themselves to making others feel good, whether it's Shabbos, or one has to just pour out his heart, or just for some company, the Machlis's are always there to help with a smile, love, and concern. He is like the Avraham Avinu of our generation with his hospitality and like the Berditchever Rebbe who was the defender of every single person, looking at every situation in a positive light.
Surely, one who helps support them financially has a great merit and has a share in this great chessed/kindness.
May Hashem give them the strength to keep on bringing light to the world and to all those individuals who enter their wonderful home.

Shalom :-),

I first enjoyed a Shabbat Dinner at the Machlis Home February 21, 2004 just before I was set to start a 10 week Volunteering Program here in Israel. I was impressed with the positive atmosphere and spiritually enriching words of Torah I heard & how 1 family was able to bring such an enjoyable Shabbat experience to so many people. I remember thinking, wow, this is a lot of guests and yet, their was still plenty of amazing food to go around & everyone enjoyed Shabbat.

Since then, I have enjoyed attending classes on Tuesday nights at 8:45 p.m. at the Machlis home, many Shabbat dinners, lunches & a truly wonderful Minyan Shabbat Mornings at the Western Wall led by Rabbi Machlis.

I finally made Aliyah this past summer, July 2006 & now I look forward to many more great experiences with the Machlis family. I can't say thank you enough for the continually positive outlook on life & bright smiles that welcome & see off guests to the Machls Home. :-)

Amazing family. Everyone needs to see them at "work" for themselves!!!

When I told rav machlis I was leaving Israel, he nearly broke down into tears, just because of the fact that a jew was leaving israel.

Timmy Rosenzweig , 11/10/2002

Having met the machlis', although never having been over for a Shabbos meal (I'm friends with their second son in law's family) I would like to share what I saw happen in their home. I went over on Motzei Shabbos, with two friends (the son in law's siblings) and while we were there having melave malke, some really interesting guy came, he ate, he slept a little and then we gave him a lift to the van he wanted to sleep in, but which had stalled somewhere near town, so that he would have a place to spend the night. It was really quite amazing.

The most amazing thing is that this family is so real and so normal, when you talk to them, they sound just like everyone else, they don't sound overly 'holy' or preachy, they're just regular people, doing a very unusual and very amazing thing!

Rebecca Reams , 11/13/2002
Life Altering Experience
I went with a tour group on my 1st trip to Israel. They were going to Eilat and I decided to break from the group (causing much dismay at ELAL security) and stay by myself in Jerusalem. On Friday afternoon a stranger I met in a used bookstore invited me to Rabbi Machlis' for erev Shabbos meal; I didn't know this man, the area, and was traveling alone so I decided not to go. The next day I was praying at haKotel and a young Iranian Jew invited me to a Rabbi's for lunch..."this wouldn't be Rabbi Machlis, would it"? "yes", he replied. I decided that haShem had made lunch plans for me so I didn't ask any more questions...I just followed. We caught up with Rabbi Machlis, who walked so briskly it was hard to keep up, but he assured me that he wanted me as a guest in his home. I don't want to describe the details of this visit because it will fall so short of describing that wonderful day. I can only say that this single event changed who I am...who I want to be...THANK YOU Rabbi Machlis and Henny.

Amihai , 12/7/2002
More than true!!
I am proud to say that I am related to the Machlis family.
My cousin married their oldest daughter.
When we came to the Shabbat Sheva Brachot, we had already heard that they usually have many guests for Shabbat. We thought that since they have so many guests because of the sheva brachot, they will ask the regulars not to come this shabbat.
No way!
They asked permission from all of there neighbors, and set up the tables outside of their apartment, and instead of the regular 100 guests, they had about 200!
It was an amazing experience!

I LOVE THE MACHLIS FAMILY SOOO MUCH!!! I EXPERIENCED ALOT OF SHABATOT AT THE MACHLIS FAMILY. AND EVERY TIME I LEFT THERE HOUSE I CAME OUT WITH A NEW LIGHT OF WAHT SHABAT LOOKS LIKE. THOSE OF YOU WICH HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED SHABAT AT THE MACHLIS FAMILY MUST GO- IT'S AMAZING! MAY G-D BLESS THE MACHLIS FAMILY TO KEEP SPREADING G-D WORD IN THE WORLD, AND TO KEEP MAKING JEWS INSPIRED BY THE SHABAT

Devorah Shalom , 11/2/2003
Entering into the tents of Abraham
I recently returned from Israel where I stayed in Jerusalem for 3 months. One of the highlights of my trip was to go on Shabbat to the Machlis's home in Maalot Dafna. The first Friday and Saturday that I was there all I did was cry because of the love and acceptance that I felt. When the Rabbi spoke it was never out of condemnation but always words of encouragement whether he was sharing the weekly parasha or extending a warm welcome to all who entered into the doors. For me it was like being in Abrahams tent where everyone was accepted. Abraham didn't discriminate and only bring in those who were religious but he would sit outside just so he could see everyone that passed by and ask them in. This is the what I had the privilege of seeing with my own eyes. A family who has so much love that extends to all kinds of people. My desire is to go back to Israel and live. But I'd like to encourage all those who travel to Jerusalem to go and have this "once" in a lifetime experience and truly you will leave a changed person. Also anyone who can I urge to donate and help in any way they can whether its in the way of monies which are greatly needed or whether by going on Friday morning to help "cut" up all the vegies etc.

Truly its a modern day home of Abraham and we can learn to "open" our tents through this example and reach our hands out to all those in need.

Matthew Wolsk , 8/30/2004
Machlis family
I stayed by the Machlis family when I was learning in Jerusalem and I found it truly inspirational. From meeting at the Kotel, walking bravely through the arab quarter and meeting his bubbly and loving wife and children it was an "experience" that felt larger than life. I miss those Shabat meals and particularly those holy homeless guests.

Spending Shabbat at the Machlis family was the most amazing experience of my life! i was finally proud to be a Jew. That was my first shabbat experience, and thank g-d i have had many many since then! I would like to thank g-d for introducing me to the Machlis family, the most special people i have ever met.

:-)We love the Machlis family! their home is full of guests all week, not only on Shabbat... it would be wonderful if they get enough money to buy another apartment!
wow! how many more mizvot can u do??