Randolph residents unite after
Chabad rabbi is injured in a hit-and-run.
Rabbi Avraham Bekhor of Chabad of Randolph was the victim of a hit-and-run while walking home Erev Shavuot. Grievously injured, he was rescued by a woman who witnessed the accident and quickly called emergency services. Rabbi Bekhor was admitted to two different hospitals to undergo several procedures and is now in stable condition. The driver still hasn’t been identified.
Knowing that Rabbi Bekhor’s birthday was merely a few weeks after the accident, Randolph residents launched a “Do a Mitzvah for Rabbi” campaign. They launched a website, organized a stand outside the local ACME and asked participants to send in videos of themselves performing their chosen mitzvah.
“From the moment the project was conceived, we were overwhelmed by all those who wanted to celebrate and give back to Rabbi Bekhor after his years of service to the community,” said Netanya Cohen, one of the residents who spearheaded the campaign.
In less than two weeks, nearly 100 people submitted media showing residents laying tefillin, lighting Shabbat candles, giving tzedakah, planting trees in Israel and other acts of kindness. The photos and videos were compiled into a video montage that was shared with the rabbi on his birthday.
“This accident has given me the chance to take stock of my time on this earth, and all that we want to leave as our legacy,” Rabbi Bekhor said. “We are going to use this difficult chapter as the impetus for greater positivity and increased growth, harnessing the dedication, support and commitment of our beautiful community to push us to even greater heights.”
The Chabad of Randolph offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. To learn more about the “Do a Mitzvah for Rabbi” campaign, visit randolphchabad.wixsite.com/mitzvahforrabbi or visit www.RandolphJewish.com.
Sigalle Barness writes about food, travel and wellness. She is an avid lover of music, cooking and asking questions. She also enjoys writing fiction, yoga and scuba diving. Sigalle graduated from Rutgers University and holds a B.A. in English. She received her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
