Samuel and Rachel were flying over the Pacific Ocean on an airplane that was headed for Australia. They were off on a two week vacation to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Suddenly, over the public address system, the pilot announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am afraid I have some very bad news. Our engines have ceased functioning and we are going to have to attempt an emergency landing in the ocean”.
The cabin went silent and you could sense the panic beginning to build amongst the passengers.
The pilot continued, “Fortunately, I can see an uncharted desert island below us and we should be able to land the airplane on the beach”.
This calmed the passengers just a bit, at least until the pilot continued his announcement.
“However, I do need to tell you that the odds are we may never be rescued and we may have to live on the island for the rest of our lives”.
Well, thanks to the skill of the flight crew, the plane managed to land the airplane safely on the island, without any loss of life or even any minor injuries.
An hour or so later, while the passengers were sitting on the beach, Samuel turned to his wife and asked, “Rachel, did we pay our charity pledge check to Beth Shalom Synagogue yet?”
“No, sweetheart”, his wife responded.
Samuel, who was still a bit shaken from the crash landing, then asked her, “Rachel, did we pay our United Jewish Appeal pledge?”
“Oy, no! I’m sorry. I forgot to send the check”, his wife replied.
“One last thing, Rachel. Did you remember to send a check for the Synagogue Building Fund this month?” Samuel asked her.
“Oy, forgive me, Samuel”, Rachel said, “I didn’t send that one, either”.
Samuel turned, grabbed her and gave her the biggest hug and kiss she had had in their 40 years of marriage.
Rachel, in surprise, pulled away and asked him, “So, why did you kiss me Samuel?”
Samual answered, “They’ll find us”.