David Twena emigrated from Israel more than 30 years ago, hoping to make a good life here in America. He believed that with hard work, he could open a business and eventually get married and raise a family.

Upon his arrival, he stayed and worked at his friend's retail business in Florida, adapting to life in the US and learning English. After a while, he was ready to settle down, but he needed to find a ‘good Jewish woman.’ Since he had met no one suitable in Florida, he decided to move to Brooklyn.

He asked his friends in Florida if they knew anyone in Brooklyn he could stay with for a while, until he was able to get his own apartment. They told him they knew of a store in Wildwood, NJ where he could work (seven days a week), make a lot of money, and live at the owner's house. After the summer season, he would be able to live at the store owner's home in Brooklyn.
In 1977, David met a Jewish woman who took his breath away. She was the cousin of the people he was staying with and she had just turned 17. She and her parents came to the house to meet David. That same night, he took her to a café in Manhattan by car service, because he didn't own a car.

Eventually, he asked for her hand in marriage, and she said yes. He wanted the rest of his family to come to Brooklyn for the wedding and asked his future wife to make wedding invitations in Hebrew to send to Israel. Unfortunately, the only one who came was his mother, and she remained in America for some time after the wedding before returning to Israel.

The couple was married on January 21, 1979. David's wife became pregnant and he brought his mother and sister from Israel to stay with her until their son was born. They arrived in the middle of July, 1980 and didn't leave until March, 1981. While in America, they lived in his wife's parents' two family home. The couple’s first child, a boy, was born on December 14, 1980; their second son was born February 8, 1984.

All who knew him will remember David as a hard working, compassionate man. He was a generous, longtime supporter of the Chabad. At his synagogue, he always offered a helping hand and on Sundays, before work, he would make a huge breakfast for the members of the congregation after morning prayers.
David passed away this past May. His sons took his body to Israel so his family can visit his resting place.

May he rest in peace and may Hashem bless his whole family with strength and the courage to go on in peace and harmony. May they find happiness in their lives, with the help of Hashem. May his sons find comfort in knowing that their mother will be there for them and may they never forget how much she wholeheartedly loves them.

Written by: The Twena Family