New Jersey – VIN News Story Inspires Los Angeles Philanthropist Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz To Aid Teaneck Family With $63K Check

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     Arthur the father watches  Tzvi 18 drive away as his sister Rivka 23 and mother Esther watch as well on June 21, 2015..  the parents (Arthur and Esther) have four children who all have CMT, a muscle degenerative disease (similar to muscular dystrophy but not quite). There is no cause or cure and is genetic. --  (VINnews.com Courtsey of CHRIS PEDOTA / THE RECORD)Teaneck, NJ – The plight of the Teaneck family whose four children are all afflicted by a chronic, degenerative muscular disease may not have moved the hearts of judges in a contest to win a free handicapped accessible minivan, but their story resonated deeply with a Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist who has agreed to donate a van in order to provide the family with appropriate transportation.

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    The Herzfelds speak to VIN news Shimon Gifter on July 2, 2015

    As previously reported on VIN News, over the past ten years all four of the Herzfeld children have been diagnosed with unknown muscular condition, with one child completely unable to walk, two with extremely limited mobility and another who walks with difficulty.

    Unable to afford a van that would accommodate all of their children’s needs, the Herzfelds cannot go anywhere as a family and loading the children, ages 14 to 23, into the family vehicle is a physically demanding task.

    Esther Herzfeld shared her story in an annual contest run by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association and appealed to the public to vote for her in the hopes of winning the much needed van.

    Touched by the story of the Herzfeld family’s difficult situation, prominent California philanthropist Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz founder and CEO of Brius Healthcare Service reached out to VIN News just hours after the story was originally posted in May. Rechnitz asked what he could to do help the Herzfelds and requested that VIN News notify him when the NMEDA contest winners were announced.

    With over 90,000 votes, the Herzfelds found themselves with the highest number of votes and were named semifinalists in the contest, but ultimately, they were not chosen by judges to win one of the NMEDA vans. VIN News contacted Rechnitz to inform him of the contest results and he immediately offered to sponsor the full cost of a handicapped accessible van that would accommodate the entire Herzfeld family.

    Rechnitz was shocked that the Herzfelds, with four disabled children and the largest number of votes by far, were not selected as contest winners.

    “They may have lost the contest but in the end the Herzfelds still won,” Rechnitz told VIN News.
    Philanthropist Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz founder and CEO of Brius Healthcare Service
    NMEDA awarded four customized wheelchair accessible vans: one to someone over 60 years of age, one to a caregiver, one that is exclusively battery powered and can only be used locally and one in a general category.

    Marilyn Myers, an executive assistant at NMEDA explained the contest winners were chosen not by number of votes, but by how well semi-finalists matched their definition of “local hero,” either a caregiver or a handicapped individual whose story highlighted the positive and uplifting aspects of making the most of life with a disability.

    “Everything is sent to a selection committee, who makes their decision based on criteria of the program and how close to the criteria they came,” said Myers.

    Joe Balaban, general manager of Mobility Services in Astoria, Queens which manufactures para-transit vehicles, estimated that barring any unusual circumstances, it should take between five and six weeks for the Herzfeld’s van, totaling at just under $63,000, to be built.

    A wheelchair accessible van is just one of many items needed by the family to make their house suitable for their children and Rechnitz, who overnighted a check for the full purchase price of the van, challenged members of the Jewish community to open their hearts and their wallets to better the lives of the Herzfeld family.

    “Their needs are enormous and I am hoping that others will come through for the Herzfelds,” said Rechnitz.
    Tzvi 18 is helped out of his chair lift by his father Arthur and watched by Tzvi's friend Joey Lazerwotz and his mother Esther.   --  CHRIS PEDOTA / THE RECORD
    Many in the Teaneck community were completely unaware of the Herzfeld’s situation until the contest began several weeks ago, according to the family’s rabbi, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs of Congregation Beth Aaron.

    “People told me that they knew the family for years but never really knew just how much they needed,” said Rabbi Rothwachs. “Others who don’t know them at all have approached me and asked how they could help. There are so many things that need to be done in their home. Bathrooms need to be updated. The kitchen is really not accessible to the kids and even the light switches need to be lowered, all everyday things that most people don’t even think about. It is almost like trying to fight a forest fire with a water gun.”

    A fund has been established through the Bergen County United Way to help the Herzfeld family deal with their current situation and every dollar contributed will go directly to the Herzfeld family. With many therapies and other essential items not covered by the Herzfeld’s insurance, the family still faces an uphill financial battle.

    “Our needs are still very great and our debt is still very great,” said Mrs. Herzfeld, who added that her family is stunned by Rechnitz’s generosity.

    “For us it is unfathomable,” said Mrs. Herzfeld. “It touches us so deeply. This is only something that could happen in the Jewish community, that someone would say ‘These people are cousins of mine even if I don’t know them and I have to help them.’ It is unbelievable.”

    Mrs. Herzfeld expressed her profound gratitude to Rechnitz and to the thousands of people worldwide who voted for her in the NMEDA contest, all of whom were operating with the same sense of purpose: to do everything in their power to help the Herzfeld family.

    “We are filled with appreciation and amazement,” said Mrs. Herzfeld. “Mi k’amcha yisroel. While the contest was still going on I said to my kids, ‘I don’t know what is going to happen with this van contest, but I have no doubt that Moshiach is going to come sooner because of the way people came out to help us.’”

    Donations to the Herzfeld family should be made out to Bergen County’s United Way with the words “Herzfeld Family Fund” written in the memo line or on the face of the check. Checks can be mailed to Bergen United Way, 6 Forest Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey 07652 or to Congregation Beth Aaron, 950 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666.

    The Herzfelds pose for photo on Jul 2, 2015 at their home in Teaneck, NJ (Shimon Gifter/VINnews.com

     Rivka 23 shows and talks about how she exercises with a ball that helps her with muscle development and function. Her father Arthur is behind her.    --  CHRIS PEDOTA / THE RECORD
     Esther and her son Tavi 18 as she helps him go downstairs on his chair lft.   --  CHRIS PEDOTA / THE RECORD


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    26 Comments
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    ffopinion
    ffopinion
    8 years ago

    Shlomo Yehuda is a tzadik! May u always have the ability to give BH!

    8 years ago

    Thank you so much to Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz.

    I have a question. With Teaneck being such a wealthy community, why did it have to be someone from outside the community who donated this money? The people in Teaneck see these children in their streets every day and in Shul on Shabbos. I do want to thank the person from Teaneck who started taking up a collection once we heard that the Herzfeld’s didn’t win, yet, I truly don’t understand how the Teaneck community didn’t do this. I’m sorry for saying these things, but it truly puzzles me.

    jack25
    jack25
    8 years ago

    Wow that’s called putting your wealth to good use! Thank you!! May hashem bless you. 🙂

    Sol-Sol
    Sol-Sol
    8 years ago

    Shlomo Yehuda, u r a true Tzadik in every meaning of the word! I am very jealous of ur Oilem Haboh! You should be G’benched with only good!
    And Mazel Tov to your daughters engagement

    gezinterheit
    gezinterheit
    8 years ago

    Mi Kamcha Yisroel !
    Such a brave family .. They are REAL Heroes.
    Wonder why they didn’t win.
    AND KUDOS to Mr. Rechnitz. A Yid A Tzadik!!

    sissel613
    sissel613
    8 years ago

    מי כעמך ישראל…..These are my cousins and I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am for them. When I read this article I started to cry. Thank you Shlomo Rechnitz for your kindness and huge heart. Those of us who love the Herzfelds know how much this help is appreciated.

    Hours
    Hours
    8 years ago

    Hat tip to the unsung hero of this amazing story.

    Lucky
    Lucky
    8 years ago

    Kudos to Sandy Eller for bringing us this special story.

    Frish
    Frish
    8 years ago

    !!!!!שלמה המלך
    ‘ישרא’ בך אתפאר

    8 years ago

    It’s a wonderful mitzvah to give tzedakah, and Mr. Rechnitz seems like a wonderful giving person. He is also very wealthy and any decent caring person in his position should help out like this. Does this in and of itself make him a tzadik? There are plenty of people who are far from tzadikim who give a lot of charity. I’m sure Mr. Rechnitz would agree.

    Anominous
    Anominous
    8 years ago

    We all thank you very much. May Hashem bless you!

    aroza
    aroza
    8 years ago

    To #2 .
    There r people around with maybe as much money as MR. Rechenitz, who want to give to worthy yiddisher causes . However that alone is not enough to be zoiche to help A person has to have the zechus to do such a mitzvah . Reb. Shlomo Yehuda truly has earned that zechus by being the shining example of how a Bal Tzedoko should behave and simply put SECHAR MITZVA , MITZVA

    AhavatYisrael
    AhavatYisrael
    8 years ago

    Dear Mr. Rechnitz: As you and your family prepare to celebrate Shabbat, please know that you have truly completed your weekly work by performing a generous task which made you a guardian of G-d’s creation. Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful grace to you and your dear family. You are adorned by the two glorious crowns: “Zachor” and “Shamor” which represent the two attributes that enhance the Jewish community, and make the world a better place for mankind. — Kol tuv.

    lublingc
    lublingc
    8 years ago

    As Mr Rechnitz himslf pointed out, there are foundations owned by frum people that total billions– yes, billions — of dollars that have been deducted from taxes and earmarked to charity. WHAT EXCUSE IS THERE TO NOT DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS TO YESHIVAs AND CHARITY. It’s just plain “Rishus.”