Rabbi With ALS Wrote a Speech. His Son Read It

By COLlive reporter

“These are my father’s words,” that’s how Sholom Hurwitz began his remarks at the gala banquet of the International Kinus Hashluchim held in Edison, New Jersey, on Sunday.

His father is Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz, the Chabad Shliach who is battling ALS disease and has been inspiring the world with his positive attitude and his articles on the Parsha and about marriage.

“He shows to us and world how to respond to life’s most difficult challenges,” commented Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, chairman of the banquet and Vice Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch.

Unable to physically participate, Rabbi Yitzi wrote a special Dvar Torah message using eye movement on a Tobii Computer that uses laser-based software in his home in Los Angeles, California.

I’m really moved that they want to include it as part of the banquet,” his wife Dina Hurwitz told COLlive.com last week. “We both really appreciate that and the love and support we get from the Shluchim.”

A crowd of 5,800 Shluchim and supporters gave a warm welcome to Rabbi Yitzi’s son Sholom as he walked up to the stage at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center to read his father’s message.

The message was that everyone has struggles, and it is Hashem’s way to help people reach “heights previously unimaginable.”

He blessed his fellow Shluchim, “You should be blessed with healthy children and may your children be blessed with healthy parents.”

The young 13 year old concluded the moving remarks with the line, “L’Chaim Tatty!”

To donate to Rabbi Yitzi’s medical costs, visit hurwitzfamilyfund.com