Amid
disappointment, we are tremendously thankful to all participants in the
intensive effort to recover the Tefilin.
Brooklyn, NY – After a two-week quest to recover a set of tefilins that were lost in Williamsburg – which led tens of volunteers to a landfill in Rochester – it’s disappointing that the tefilin were not found and we couldn’t give it the due respect. But, it’s not for the lack of trying.
Two weeks ago, a worshipper at a Williamsburg synagogue lost his tefilin. After several days searching for it, figuring that it was misplaced etc., the security cameras were reviewed. It turned out that the tefilin slipped out into a garbage bin without being notice.
The person contacted the UJO late Saturday night, and the UJO in turn contacted the North Brooklyn Sanitation Chief, Mr. Jerrit Scotti, who was very responsive as always. It turned out that refuse bags collected from the synagogue were already hauled away by Waste Management, and mixed up with a huge amount of garbage from around North Brooklyn, making its way to a Rochester-area landfill.
With assistance from elected officials and City Hall, Waste Management was contacted. WM quickly identified 32 train cars where the garbage of the area was transferred in. A request was made that when the train arrives at the landfill these cars should be kept isolated to allow a search through its content. During this week, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, a group of about 25 volunteers from Brooklyn and another 50 locals hired to assist sifted through the garbage, opening up the bags to look for the tefilin.
 |
| The group during the search at their landfill |
 |
| Rochester Police with a K9 dog at the landfill |
Today, they finished the search, but unfortunately the tefilin wasn't located. It's heartbreaking to see them return home empty handed. While it’s very disappointing, we know that they and all involved tried the utmost to save this tefilin, and we are tremendously thankful to all who assisted.
“I must express the community's appreciation to Waste Management and its top leadership for their assistance. During the last 12 days, they spent countless hours to plan this operation. They went out of the way to accommodate us, and even donated $1,000 to offer a reward to the worker who will find the tefilin. It's heartwarming to have experienced what a social-responsible company they are. They really went above and beyond to help in this mission, recognizing how important and valuable the tefilin is to the community,” said Rabbi David Niederman.
“I'm thankful to all who assisted us since we started looking for the Tefilin: Chiefly Chief Scotti, who is always available and responsive; Councilman Steve Levin who got on it during the Sunday wee hours; Senator Squadron's assistant Robbie Young, CAU members Pinny Ringel and Daniel Abramson who responded on a Sunday morning and worked to establish the connection with WM; Rachel Amar from OATH who finally established the contact with WM; John Sullivan of WM who started the ball rolling on Sunday, together with Jay Kaplan, and Jefferey Richardson who prepared and oversaw the search at the landfill.”
“Special thanks go to the tens of community members who left their families, busy schedules and jobs, spending days far away on this unpleasant – but important – task, and to their families who allowed and encouraged them to take on this holy mission. We also thank all the contributors of the tens of thousands of dollars to cover this mission. You all tried, and what counts to Hashem is the efforts you made.”
Below is local coverage of the story:
