Chezky Rodal, a resident of Inveraray, Florida and lawyer shares his memories of meeting Yudi Dukes through his wife Rivki.
This is Yudi Dukes and I almost 15 years ago (snapped on my 2-megapixel Palm Treo) and back when I still had hair… This was taken shortly after I married my wife Rivki who was and is best friends with Sarah Dukes.
Rivki and Sarah became lifelong friends when they met at Stern College for Women and ran the Chabad Club together. When I married my wife, it was inevitable that Yudi and I would become friends as well, and we did.
Like so many of you, I was shocked to learn that Yudi, a healthy young man of 38 was being put on a ventilator and that his prospects for survival were very grim as a result of COVID-19. Like many of you, over the last 5 months, I have prayed hard and followed closely along to Yudi’s progress. With incredible blessings and open miracles, Yudi has worn out his stay in the ICU and is getting ready for the next stage in his recovery.
With 6 beautiful children, Ka’h, everyone can imagine what a financial hardship this has become for Yudi and his family. Besides the day to day basic family expenses, there will now be added physical therapy costs as well as emotional therapy for Yudi and his family.
Insurance will not cover the intense therapy Yudi needs to get back to his role as father of 6 and breadwinner to the family. He has a long road ahead of him. His family has a long road ahead of them to heal and get over the tremendous challenges the last 6 months have presented.
Yudi dedicated his life to helping others. Now, we have an opportunity to make a huge difference for him. With the incredible physical and emotional toll the next stage will bring, let’s at least take the financial burden off of his shoulders so he can focus on getting back to being the husband, father, friend, and leader he is.
Please, take a minute and be a part of this massive mitzvah and help bring Yudi Home. Bring a father back to his children.
Sarah Spangenthal and Rivki Tamara Malziner were the best of all the Stern Chabad Club heads over the years. They spent so much time with us at Chabad of Midtown Manhattan. Glad to see you all connected and keep in touch. Wishing Yudi a refuah shelaima and best regards. BCHM