Ronna Kabatznick

The day after the tsunami I received an email from Rabbi Kantor describing how Chabad was fielding thousands of calls from Israel inquiring about the fate of relatives and friends, offering comfort to mourners and hope for survivors, and providing kosher meals and snacks.

I had just flown into Thailand hours before the tsunami hit to visit my husband who was researching and writing a book in the North. I immediately got in touch with Rabbi Kantor to offer any possible help. I am a psychologist, and I've also served on the Chevra Kadisha at my synagogue in Berkeley, CA. Whether I served the living or the dead made no difference.

Rabbi Kantor sent me to Phuket Hospital which was packed with traumatized survivors desperately in need of psychological help; chaos reigned. But when sunset fell Friday night — which happened to be New Year's eve — we all gathered for Kiddush and a hearty Shabbos dinner, courtesy of Chabad.

In Krabi, I worked primarily in the morgue helping relatives and friends identify bodies; the Israeli forensic team worked nonstop trying to make positive identifications through dental records and fingerprints. Chabad was busy making contacts with funeral homes and rabbis around the world.

Rabbi Kantor called to find out how I was doing just as I was walking out of the morgue, which was packed with more than 800 corpses. After a week, I didn't think I could take another moment of life or death. But when I heard Rabbi Kantor's voice, my waning energy re-emerged. Chabad's tireless efforts helped many people and, at that very moment, were also helping me.

Ronna Kabatznick, Ph.D., is a psychologist specializing in weight management and depression. She has a private practice in Berkeley, California, where she lives with her husband.

Read more encounters