CBS 2
In a time of extreme tragedy, New Yorkers are coping by coming together.
The Jewish Softball League in Crown Heights has been meeting up for games every Tuesday and Thursday for the past five years but last night was special.
In between games, players of the league and members of the community stepped out onto the field to pay tribute to 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky.
Yitzi Cole, a member of the league, said a group of non-Jewish men and women came with their children to show solidarity and support following the Borough Park boy’s brutal murder.
“We just want to show our love for the little boy that you guys lost because we as parents also feel what you feel in the loss,” one woman said. She added that she wanted to “show her children how to love openly and with no regard to color or race.”
People from the stands came down onto the field and the group handed out white and blue balloons before holding a brief moment of silence. The balloons were let up into the night to honor Kletzky.
“It was just a very special moment in a couple days of sad news,” Cole told 1010 WINS. “You could just see there was a lot of love and a feeling of family in the air.”
“I strongly feel that in this time of political in-fighting and the other craziness that is going on around the world, to see communities come together like this can set a example for the entire country,” Cole added.
any one who see those people in Crown Heights we should thank them so much that we so nice of them
That is so nice of them. It really touched my heart.
That is their way of joining us in our grief, and as the guy taking the video said at the end, it means a lot.
One more thing, Jeff. Liberals will always ask why Jews think they are better then anyone else. After all, we were all the same. No we are not all the same. We were all created by God, and that’s why I respect all human beings regardless of their nation. Nevertheless, when the Jewish people claim to be the chosen nation, nothing about “chosen” implies that we don’t accept others. Joseph had a unique relationship with his father Jacob: Does this mean he didn’t accept his brothers? No! He loved them in ways we don’t even understand despite all they had… Read more »
JEFF, “Ask yourself…would we do something as simple as this, if it would have happened to them?” Its not about if we would give its about if they would accept. Go to harlem, and when a child of the Bloods is stabbed by a Crip go show you care to the mom. You’d be lucky if you don’t end up on a hospital. Also it depends who is “them”. There is them Harlem gangs and there is this wonderful “chasidei umos haolam” (Good Gentiles, a term from the Talmud). So, it depends. Jeff, why do you call her “them”? She… Read more »
I agree with 18 and disagree with you. Israel is NOT a religious state and the aid you speak of was provided by a secular government, not a religious entity (i.e. FrumJews as # 18 points out). In fact, I NEVER saw a pushka at my shul for Katrina, Haiti, Chile, Japan, etc…… Did you see one at your Shul #18?
who were the first responders to Haiti, Katrina etc. etc. Open your eyes, jews are known to be at the forefront of coming to the aid of society. This touching episode is a perfect example of how one ordinary person can make this world a better place.
Seeing that video I was crying , and I wondered, why ?Then I realized that it is because jewish pepole we are so not used to get from other people, words of consolation, that I was moved. So rare…. so used to the hate and rejoicing when we suffer. Thanks to those people , really a gesture of great humanity.Some say nobody from the community would have done that for them?….. perhaps we woudn’t have brought balloon , but jews are always involved in help and charity all around the world, why saying that ?
I feel like an applause to a memorial act is so distasteful
I am so moved by this!
i wish i was thear!!!! its amasing !!!!!!!!!!!
bayond words
Many have asked, would we do this for them? I think we all know the answer to that.
My question is: why wouldn’t we do this for them? Why do WE , frum Jews, only show chessed to our own? Why do WE only give tzedaka to our own causes?
What kind of “light unto the nations” are WE? if, as this article clearly shows, WE are being “outshined” by goyim.
Hashem bless them
From someone who was there: The women who spoke explained that as a parent herself she wanted to show her children what it means to care for another person..no matter the religion….and she said it with tears.
Ask yourself…would we do something as simple as this, if it would have happened to them?
We were all touched by the story of Leibby. Let us all do something good for someone else. Your wife, your husband, your children, friends, or even one of them.
that’s the right attitude! amein!
will be blessed
These people see how precious Yisroel is!! WE NEED TO BE REDEEMED!! amen!!
these lovely people were being honest and truthful and taking action in such a touching way. May they merit children who live meaningful lives and do good deeds (7 mitzvos bnai noach)
they did it for us… the crown hieghts softball league
You should be blessed , you and your families for you heartfelt caring…
As much as we appreciate their gesture this highlights the greatness of am isroel that we do mitzvos to remember our loved ones instead of throwing baloons on the air.
Still, very proud to be hispanic…
unfortunately they know what it is all about
These wonderful people are not even Jewish..
beautiful!
I’m sure the kletskys would be touched as well.
I was stopped by quite a few non Jews on the street yesterday who said “I”m sorry for the little boy”. I heard that others also got these messages.
May we all be kind and do whatever is our part in being decent and honest and the best we can be, and may it collectively bring Ultimate Peace.
we accept those people’s gestures with grace and dignity and we wish only blessings.
thank you
wow!!thats mamish amazing! look at the chesed they have!! would we ever do such a thing for them??