From Crisis to Kiddush Hashem - Masbia and Shomrim Provide Ray of Hope in the Aftermath of 4-Alarm Blaze

by M.C. Millman 

After a four-alarm fire tore through an apartment building in East New York last night, leaving seven people hurt, including two firefighters, Masbia's Executive Director, Alexander Rapaport, sprang into action, doing what he does best for those most in need. 

"Two years ago, Masbia was on hand to help those who were left with nothing after the terrible Bronx fire," Alexander Rapaport, Masbia's Executive Director, shares with BoroPark24 regarding the fire reported by BoroPark24 here, "and, together with Shomrim of Boro Park, we made a tremendous kiddush Hashem. So I knew this was something we needed to do again with so many people in desperate need."

This case, though, was particularly pressing as most emergency personnel were, for the most part, either assigned to be at Times Square in preparation for the New Year's crowds, at a New Year's event themselves, or home for the holiday.

But it was no holiday for the over one hundred individuals who were now out in the cold and misplaced due to the fire.

"It was already ten at night," Rapaport recalls, "and these people had nowhere to get food. Masbia worked together with Shomrim of Boro Park, whose volunteers were more than happy to come right over to assist. I collected whatever supplies Masbia had on hand, and Shomrim helped as we stocked up with instant food, tuna, snack bars, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other essential items and drove it right over to East New York, where we set up a tent."

The displaced families were temporarily relocated across the street from the ruined apartment building at a senior home.

"What we were able to accomplish together was heartwarming," Rapaport tells BoroPark24. "For us, it's not our Rosh Hashana, and this was an amazing opportunity to make a kiddush Hashem and help people in need."

photo credit: Lensky photo