Borough Park, NY – Rabbi Nachman Kletzky appeared on The Zev Brenner talk-line communications WMCA radio Saturday night making his first public comments since his 8-year-old son’s funeral. He expressed gratitude for the support his family has received since Leiby’s killing.
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Kletzky also told New Yorkers they could ensure his son’s death was not in vain by donating to a memorial fund set up by the family. The goal is to help others going through any kind of tragedy.
Kletzky says his goal is to raise at least $1 million.
If the 10,000 people who helped search donate $100, we can do it!
דורשת הגמרא במסכת בבא בתרא: “”צדקה תרומם גוי וחסד לאומים חטאת”, צדקה תרומם גוי – אלו ישראל שנאמר “גוי אחד בארץ”. “וחסד לאומים חטאת” – כל צדקה וחסד שעושים אומות העולם חטא הוא להם שאינם עושים אלא להתגדל בו”.
Interesting that both this father and Gabi Holtzberg Hy”d’s father share the same name–Nachman.
Don’t blow it out of proportion it wasn’t 10000. Whatever it was it was a kidissh hashem
Tzedaka fund – Exploitation of Tradegy?
Certainly what I say here is not “in good taste” but it’s the true facts. We certainly don’t want to make anyone feel bad and certainly not a parent of such horrific crime but then again, when a anyone, never mind a parent is in such anguish, they usually act on emotions rather than what may actually be the most useful thing to do to bring about tangible results to prevent such things in the future.
The easiest thing anyone can do after any tragedy, is to make a charity fund or to write s Sefer Torah for his name and the like – all of which do not directly prevent the tragedy from happening again.
For example if there was a terrible robbery in Jewish community, or if a rape happened, or molestation, or murder – what would be the appropriate response?
Multiple choice – pick your choice:
1) Say a lot of tehilim
2) write a sefer Torah of the victim
3) make a Tzedaka fund for the victim
4) Learn more Torah in his zchus
5) some other memorial… variety?
OR a second category to do something which really makes a difference in Derech Hateva, like better protection, better reporting of molesters, more cameras etc.
Number 5, did anyone tell you, you must make a donation? If not, what’s your problem? At this time, we want to show Hashem that we want to get closer to Him by giving tzedaka so what’s wrong with doing it in this manner? Get a life!
THERE ARE TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE COMMENTS ON THE WCBS-NY ARTICLE TO THIS STORY! If you go to the right hand on top where it says news source and click on “CBS NY” you will see for yourself.
When a tragedy happens, it is understandable that people want to do something, anything, to express their grief and solidarity. However, as noted above, in addition to these expressions of grief and solidarity, and expressions of faith (doing more commandments in general), it makes sense to also address problems which might prevent a similar tragedy in the future. Dov Hikind’s suggestion to grant a $500 tax credit to homes and businesses which have security cameras is an example of such a measure. So would be funding of child safety courses for children. Also, there could be funding for programs to train rabbonim on issues of child abuse, as doctors, nurses, and so many other professionals have to learn as part of their licensing requirements.
Ironically, it was decided months ago, before this horrific tragedy, that one of the sugyas to be covered at the 14th annual Yarchei Kallah in Medical Halacha, to be held in Jerusalem in late August, would be the sugya of protecting our children, reporting abuse, etc. Major poskim are scheduled to be magidei shiur and to address this important topic, from a halachic point of view. We need to hear from the gedolei Eretz Israel, who have strong opinions on this matter. Those interested in attending can visit http://www.j-c-r.org for details. The learning is chavrusa-style followed by shiurim from gedolei ha’poskim and is not open to the public. Tapes will not be made nor distributed.
I would again like to publicly thank V.l.N. for being at the forefront on this issue, despite the negative effects to their courage.
Enough with this molestation molestation molestation nobody was molested here. This is an important issue but does not have to be plugged in in each story.
What’s wrong with giving tzedaka? I sense some jealousy among the commentérs…did u thank Gd today for blessings? And for healthy children? We are in a physical world and we are the most generous people in the world because we are giving because that’s what Hashem wants. If there were no charities, who would u give to?
I’m disappointed that the family of the butcher hired a lawyer to make the case that he is insane. EVERY murderer is insane. This little boy was lying for 12 hours in your house, bound in a captive position and expecting his gruesome death. This wasn’t an act of panic. This monster was planing it for hours and hours.
It’s embarrassing to listen to this childish fight on the air. Is this the achdus that we are celebrating? My opinion is that some of these organizations should be dissolved. Their only concern is to get credit and not to accomplish anything for the community. In this case they are so disappointed that a single, friendly, capable Yid was the one to crack the case, that they went on a smear campaign against him. SHAME!!!
There are many ways to respond to a tragedy of this magnitude.
One way would be to find methods to lessen the chance of a repeat tragedy.
Some examples:
1) Teach your kids NEVER to go into someone’s car or walk away with someone unless that person provides your kid with a “password” you have all memorized. For example, I heard of a case wherein a friend came to pick up a kid, and the kids refused — correctly — to go until he heard the password.
2) If lost and seeking help, it is preferable to approach a woman (especially a middle-aged woman), or a police officer, as opposed to a male stranger on the street (even if he is wearing the garb of an orthodox Jew).
3) Your child must be instructed: report anything that is uncomfortable immediately to you. The child should be told this is NOT loshon hora. If a gym teacher, rebbe, janitor, friend’s father etc makes your child feel uncomfortable in any way, he must tell you immediately.
4) Girls can be victims as well, including from female predators.
5) If someone offers to take your kid to a ball game or an overnight trip, ask yourself: What’s he getting out of this? If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! Be cautious.
i think it would also be wise to give young children a specific cell phone made just for very young children … maybe cell phone manufacturers can make a specific ‘child’s’ cell phone where there is just one … or a few …. speed dial numbers to parents and relatives … i just think that if such a thing existed and Leiby was able to call his parents when he got disoriented … we have technological brilliance in so many ways … a simple type of young child’s cell phone such as this could end up truly saving lives …