First Yahrtzeit of Leiby Kletzky z”l
Posted By Psycho On Jul 1, 2012 America, News
Leiby Kletzky’s countenance remains etched in the hearts of Yidden across the globe, who will never forget the saga of last summer, when the news of his tragic petirah became known.
Today, 11 Tammuz, is twelve months since his passing.
One month ago, a matzeivah was erected at the site of his kever at the Washington Cemetery in Deans, NJ.Leiby’s [...]
via Matzav.com – The Online Voice of Torah Jewry
July 1st, 2012 at 4:00 pm
SAFE SUMMER CAMP INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TODAY ON FIRST YAHRZEIT OF LEIBY KLETZKY
The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund, established by Nachman & Esty Kletzky, in the wake of the tragic death of their only son Leiby, announced today the launch of a new initiative for children, The Leiby Kletzky Safe Summer Camp Program.
The announcement coincided with the first Yahrzeit of little Leiby, and a visit to his gravesite in Deans, New Jersey by family and friends.
The Fund’s mission is to seek out troubled children and young adults, understand their specific needs, and help them get through their difficulties.
A tremendous outpouring of support for the Fund after Leiby’s tragic death made it possible to raise over $300,000 for the Fund’s programs. At the same time, once the Fund went public, thousands of requests for assistance have been pouring in from both groups and individuals, Jewish and otherwise, from virtually the four corners of the world.
It has taken an inestimable amount of time and energy for the Fund’s Board of Directors merely to study each individual request, and assign an “urgency and priority level” to them. After a great deal of deliberation and consultation, a decision was made to give the highest priority to children in acute and immediate danger or risk. Most of these cases were children and young adults requiring psychological and psychiatric help – but could not afford it. The Fund puts them into therapy with the most accredited practitioners available. In addition, children and young adults who were advised to enter a controlled rehabilitative facility were sponsored by the Fund.
The number of cases targeted by the Fund is huge, and the cost of ongoing professional therapies and for rehabilitative facilities is extremely expensive. The available funds have already been totally committed.
Through the Fund’s work with professional therapists and rehabilitative facilities, the Board has been advised that to benefit a considerable number of these patients, it would be absolutely necessary to provide them with a safe and managed summer camp. These children and young adults are greatly distressed from their year-round environment. They do not know what a carefree youth is or what affection of a loved one feels like.
“For these children, summer camp is not at all a luxury. It is not vacation from school, homework and tests. It is a safe haven from neglect, abuse, pain and isolation”. The benefits of a safe, fun-filled summer can last a lifetime for a troubled child. Unfortunately, camps are not subsidized by government aid. It is imperative that we raise at least $150,000 in the next few weeks for this purpose. Leiby’s life was snuffed out in a manner beyond our control, but these kids can and must be helped now before it is too late! I urge everyone to support this initiative in memory of Leiby”, said Leiby’s father Nachman Kletzky.