Brooklyn, NY – As soon as the crime scene tape was removed from the Fourth Avenue auto repair shop where the body of Leiby Kletzky, HY’D, was found in a dumpster, the devastated owners of Park Slope Auto replaced it with a memorial to the murdered boy. Consisting of a newspaper photograph of Leiby, some candles, flowers and teddy bears, the memorial was created to send a clear message of support to the Kletzky family and the entire Jewish community, from the owners of the Muslim owned business.
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“We want the family and the community to know that they are not alone,” said manager Nick Russo in an interview with VIN News. “No matter what religion you are, we are all human, all descendants of Adam and Eve. It is up to us all to stick together so that we can all cope with this devastating tragedy.”
Russo said that the neighborhood, normally bustling and lit up at night, has been eerily quiet as residents, in a state of shock, are afraid to leave their homes.
Park Slope Auto has another shop in Borough Park and Russo says he has only the highest regard for the Jewish community and says while all of Brooklyn has been devastated by this crime, he understands that for residents of Borough Park the grief is unimaginable.
“The Jewish community is a strong, closely connected community. When one finger gets hurt, the whole arm is in pain. We have many Jewish customers and we know who you are, what kind of nation you are. You will come together for the sake of the family and help them through this terrible ordeal. I only hope that G-d will help ease the pain in that mother’s heart.”
Russo hopes that by putting up the memorial Borough Park residents will realize just how strongly this tragedy has affecting surrounding neighborhoods as well.
“Who ever imagined that something like this could happen in Borough Park? We see shootings in Park Slope, we see drugs, but for something like this to happen to a child, what is this world coming to? This will be devastating until the end of time.”
very nice of them
I hope the Community recognizes, that someone from far outside of our Community can show compassion and be a ba’al chessed.
I find these “roadside memorials” incredibly tacky, but I will accept that these business owners are devastated and this is from the depths of their hearts.
Very touching, indeed. Moving and meaningful words by the shop’s manager. And ain’t it the truth – we’re all human and human hearts communicate on the same level absent the twisted minds of corrupt leaders and dictatorships .
Very nice; and not to minimize it a bit; but a few things are in order for clarification; and I hope my comment won’t be misunderstood. First, Nick Russo sounds like an Italian to me; and referring to the Jewish nation he shows his affection for the Jews which most Italians have; and for that I say thanks. The business, the article says is Muslim owned, and its manager couldn’t do this without his approval; so I give him thanks too. If only the boss learned from his manager that there is a Jewish nation then we would have peace in Israel too. It’s a really nice thing to do to show us that you care; thanks.
I was wondering if the terminology HY”D was supposed to be used after mentioning Leiby ZT”L
this article obviously felt we still use that lashon
Interesting to know what others feel
what a kiddish hasham…
It just goes to show that when real tragedy strikes, race and religion mean nothing. It is unfortunate that it takes tragedy to show such unity. We should be able to work with our neighbors at all times.
No need to bash the good muslims, just as we don’t want to be categorized in the same group as Levi Aron. Thank you to the store owner for the gesture, it is very kind.
Thank you Nick Russo! That’s truly wonderful!
as part of a kiddush hashem we need to acknowledge their doing being that this has had a major effect on every walk of life… this Leiby z’tl has touched so many of us that didn’t even know that such a holy neshama was with us….
Beautiful to see!
Do you know how many hours of grief rabbi German spared these people? Could u imagine what would have happened to that buisiness without the video tapes? The owner should be thankful to hashem that we have such people.
He understands that it could have been one of their children also
To #1 : I am also astonished. Could a Rav or another person explain if it is proper to use HY”D when a Yid kills a Yid or is the term only reserved for a goy who kills a Yid?
this is very nice…..this is how the secular world pays their respects when a child dies….R”L. i apreciate his kind and complimentary words and especially agree with the sentiment that G-D put peace in to the parents’ hearts…..amen….only HaShem can comfort them….i hope as a community we will do what we can to help them financially- think abt therapists…the best ones do not accept insurance and also how can this father ever work again? nor should he hav to carry the burden of parnassah…he has been thru enough. we have plenty of gevirim who can surely set this family up for life. while it will not bring leiby A”H back…..it willl ease the financial stress so they can focus on healing themselves and their other children- which will take a lifetime…..its OUR responsibility….
if i had $ i would give….as it is i am taking money that i scrimped and saved for a year that i may need and giving them a peice of it….i feel in my heart its my obligation….each should give according to their means…you can give it to the family Rav- Rabbi Eisenberg. we owe it to Leiby- he was a loss for all of us….not just his family…besuros tovos.
Nick, You warmed our hearts. Just a decent fellow with a soft heart, such nice and comforting words. May god spare you any grief.
Very very nice. I just wish that when god forbid there’s a tragedy in the Muslim world in Brooklyn the Jewish store owners would do the same (But off curse it will never happen)