(COMMUNICATED CONTENT)
At Amudim headquarters in New York City, Founder and Director Rabbi Zvi Gluck keeps a tragic count – the ever-rising death toll of addiction and suicide in our community. This year’s figure is a staggering 139 victims, all under the age of 35 — young souls extinguished in the prime of their lives. And, explains R’ Gluck, each life is an entire world.
“All too often we mourn the death of an individual who died of an overdose, but it isn’t just one life that has been lost. His future generations will never be born and the lives of his friends and family members are irreparably shattered. By helping just one person, entire worlds can be built.”
Amudim’s mission is to stop the escalating death toll; to ensure that every Jew in crisis gets the help he needs so that he doesn’t become another heartbreaking statistic. Amudim’s crisis intervention team works round-the-clock, helping victims and their families confront trauma, embark on recovery and rehab, navigate legal issues, and defy death.
The experts at Amudim know that nobody is immune to crisis. Their staff of mental health professionals works tirelessly to support victims of sexual abuse and drug and alcohol addictions, as well as build community awareness of the issues so that parents and educators will recognize the warning signs before it’s too late. Amudim’s encouraging message is that recovery is possible. Under the leadership of R’ Zvi Gluck and Rabbinical guidance of HaRav Elya Brudny, shlita, Amudim has helped hundreds of abuse victims navigate the perilous path toward recovery.
Now, Amudim is asking for the public’s help in stopping the epidemic that is raging through our communities. Hundreds of Jews from across the religious spectrum, young and old, male and female, are at the crossroads between life and death. They stand at the dawn of a new life, but we must help them get there.
It is the duty of the klal to put a stop to the tragic loss of life. This Rosh Hashanah, as life and death are divinely decreed, the life of every human hangs in the balance. But the power of tzedakah, the power of extending a helping hand to those in crisis, can influence a year of life and blessing. By donating to Amudim, you will empower someone’s child with the ability to choose life.
Help save a life, because too many have already been lost forever. Donate today, or learn more about Amudim’s life-saving services at www.amudim.org and by calling 646.517.0222.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
the headline should stress that the majority of niftarim were offered help by many in our wonderful klal , and many had already been in rehab despite the prohibitive cost, and been to a number of therapists and finally the families endured the bizyonos and tzaar yet the yetzer hora is a pikaech and the further one goes from torah and tastes drugs and shmutz even beones oy yoy!!
The first thing we should stop is the Schnapps / Liquor at the shalom zochors, parlor meetings, open bars at dinners / weddings, etc. No drinking at friends houses. Rabbonim, when selling chometz “2 bottles per house hold”.
The OU affiliated shuls instituted dry kidushim, no kidush clubs.
This tragedy is a disease, just as cancer r’l is a disease. Sometimes extreme treatment is required and sometimes it doesn’t work, but no one would give up on a cancer patient, so we dare not give up on these unfortunate neshamos either. May we be zoche to rachmei shomayim.