At this time, T'hilim is needed for two family members whose home was destroyed in an early Shabbos morning house fire this past weekend. The community is asked to pray for Yoel Ben Avraham, the patriarch, and Daniella Chaya bas Oksana Osnat, who remain hospitalized in critical condition. Yoel's heroics are quite noteworthy. The 50-year-old father managed to rescue his own daughter, who had been trapped in a bedroom when the blaze got out of control at around 2:15 a.m. Regrettably, the smoke and flames took its toll on Yoel, resulting in sixty-five percent of his body being burned. Thankfully, the hero is now off life support. But without the sole breadwinner supporting his family, finances are in desperate need.
The Bukharian family lived on the second level in a dwelling at 73rd Avenue and 166th Street. They were left homeless by the unfortunate blaze. All was lost from clothes to bedding and everything in between. The 46-year-old mother, a 22-year-old woman, and three young children, ages 7, 9, and 10, were transported to area hospitals.
The fire, which took almost an hour to stabilize, also sent two police officers to the hospital.
The community is asked to provide financial contributions on the designated GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com/f/bukharian-family-in-need). Initially, collected donation items were not desired, as the family had no current residence. Upon release from the hospital, the family has taken up temporary shelter at a grandmother's small home. The Young Israel of Hillcrest has since staged a clothing collection, requesting that boys shoes size 4.5 or 5, girl shoes sizes 2.5 or 2, and 3 or 3.5, ladies shoes sizes 5.5 and 7.5, and men's shoes size 9, as well as clothes sized extra small for a 22-year-old woman, boys size 10, girls size 10 or 12, and women's tops size 14, and skirts size medium, be dropped off at 73-12 171st Street in Flushing
By Shabsie Saphirstein
