A family walking through Brooklyn over the weekend experienced what they call a miracle after a massive tree came crashing down—missing them by mere inches. The dramatic moment, caught on surveillance footage, has since become a powerful testimony of divine protection.

Ben and Shelly Kerstein were strolling along 59th Street and 20th Avenue in Bensonhurst with a relative when they noticed an enormous, aging tree on the sidewalk. Just moments later, the tree suddenly collapsed, sending heavy branches and debris in all directions.

“The first reaction was shock,” Ben told WPIX-TV. “And then I realized this was from God, and God saved us. So, all we could do was dance and thank God for saving us in that moment.”

In the video, Shelly can be seen narrowly dodging the tree as it comes crashing down. Reflecting on the near tragedy, she recalled noticing how ancient the tree appeared just before the fall.

“‘Oh wow, check out that tree,'” she had remarked to her family. “‘It looks like it’s a thousand years old.'”

Within seconds, the massive tree gave way, splitting into pieces as it hit the pavement.

“We ran, and the whole thing splintered to pieces,” she said. “Because it was so old, it splintered to dust. As you can see, we are just standing in complete and utter shock about what happened.”

For the Kersteins, there’s no doubt that their survival was more than just luck.

“We’re Jews, and that was no doubt God,” Shelly said. “There’s no question. He put us there for a reason, to have that happen right before our eyes—and He saved us for a reason, too.”

While the owner of the property where the tree once stood declined to comment, the family remains firm in its belief that this moment was an act of divine intervention. Their gratitude has turned into a joyful celebration as they recognize God’s hand in their escape.

In times of uncertainty and danger, stories like this serve as reminders of faith, protection, and the unseen ways God works in everyday life.