Special Man’s Dream Was Fulfilled

By COLlive reporter

By 25 years of age Daniel Mizrachi was learning Torah, and traveling throughout Israel as a respected, and sought after, lecturer. When not occupied with these pursuits Daniel engaged in song writing, his efforts resulting in two published albums.

Impressive as these accomplishments would have been for any young man, they were made all the more remarkable given the fact that Mizrachi was born with Cerebral Palsy.

Throughout his childhood in Israel Mizrachi grappled with the degenerative effects of his illness, but was still able, against all odds, to teach himself to speak and read.

Although Mizrachi eventually became confined to a wheelchair, he continued to participate in a busy, ambitious schedule and has enjoyed many ongoing successes.

Yet his dearest dream of visiting Lubavitch World Headquarters in New York was postponed, time after time, due to the many complications of traveling while restricted to a wheelchair, including the inflated costs.

Two weeks ago, Mizrachi’s dream was made possible when El-Al airlines, upon hearing of his plight, donated tickets for him and two travelling companions to New York.

Welcoming him in the Big Apple was Ahavas Chesed’s executive director, Rabbi Avraham Lider who personally escorted them to an apartment he rented and outfitted to meet Mizrachi’s specific needs.

The guests enjoyed the full Ahavas Chesed hospitality throughout their stay, including food coupons to local restaurants, a wheelchair accessible van driven by Ahavas Chesed’s own Levi Hillel, and volunteers at their disposal.

“It was very important to us that Daniel’s visit go as smoothly as possible for him,” said Rabbi Lider.

Daniel Mizrachi was accepted with love at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, and at the old Montefiore cemetery in Queen at the Ohel of the Rebbe, where he received a heartfelt welcome. Many who had the pleasure of meeting Daniel left the encounter inspired.

During his stay, Mizrachi met with the Jewish music elite including Mordechai Ben-David, his son Yeedle, Avraham Fried, Lipa Schmeltzer, and Yossi Green.

At their request, Mizrachi treated his fellow musicians to a recitation of his poetry and granted them permission to develop the poems into music to be performed by them.

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“I’m happy for the chance to come here,” Mizrachi said before returning home. “My dream to visit the Rebbe’s place came true. The visit in 770 and Crown Heights made me stronger and I would like to thank the Ahavas Chesed organization for all the help in my journey.”

Rabbi Lider said “It was a great privilege for Ahavas Chesed to assist such a brilliant young man. We are grateful and thankful to Daniel for the opportunity, and we hope that his visit in the Rebbe’s courtyard gave him the power to continue. Such aid missions are an important part of Ahavas Chesed’s work.

“In addition to medical assistance, we provide referrals to specialists, essential medical equipment, financial support for medical procedures, and we host community blood drives. We take it upon ourselves to stand with those in need, and assist them, and their families, with everything possible.”

For more information on Ahavas Chesed, visit facebook.com/AhavasChesedNY