Tell us about your nominee. Why should he or she be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero?

Our fearless, selfless Rabbi, community leader, and true inspiration, Rabbi Ephraim Simon, of Chabad of Teaneck, NJ, just underwent kidney donor surgery this past Thursday (in Cornell, NYC) to save the life of someone he never even knew before, other than he matched, and could save his life. He just came home over the weekend, and both he and the recipient are doing remarkably well. Only a few in each generation like this... Especially in light of other recent negative news coming from the Jewish community, this would make an unparalleled and inspirational story! This is in addition to his daily selfless acts which are too numerous to mention here.

 

What problem did your nominee identify in the community that needed to be solved? How has your nominee's efforts made a difference for others?

He just underwent kidney donor surgery this past Thursday (in Cornell, NYC) to save the life of someone he never even knew before, other than he matched, and could save his life, and did!

He runs a synagogue in Teaneck, NJ that doesn't charge membership and is open to every person regardless of background, visits local hospitals and nursing homes on a daily basis, runs a program for special needs children, developed a program for both children and teens where they come together every week and do a "chesed" project for the betterment of the community, such as cleaning local parks, packing and delivering gifts to the elderly and hospital patients, making care packages for soldiers overseas, and many more such projects,  counsels countless people in need, teaches many classes both day and night, etc. All around, he has built a community and dedicated his life to helping K'lal Yisroel and all of mankind.