Opportunity for a Mitzvah: Please Support the Family of Dr. Paul Weissburd, DDS, OB”M
Opportunity for a Mitzvah
Please Support the Family of Dr. Paul Weissburd, DDS, OB”M
Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we turn to you regarding the plight of the widow and precious 6 year old orphan of our very dear friend and student, Dr. Paul Weissburd, who recently succumbed to a decade-long battle with a rare throat cancer at the tragically young age of 40.
Paul was a brilliant dentist who truly cared about his patients and often went far beyond the call of duty to do work for those who couldn’t afford payment. This is besides countless other kindnesses he performed for so many within the community behind the scenes, which nobody knew about, and we are only hearing about now during the shiva.
Only a month before his passing, despite his tremendous pain and weakness, he helped a Jewish dentist set up his practice and gave his all the necessary information and contacts to help him succeed.
Although Paul did not have a religious upbringing, hailing from the Former Soviet Union, he became a dedicated student of Torah and a deeply religious man, who prayed with much fervor and profoundly loved every Jew.
Most of all, Paul was the paradigm of a family man and his love for his wife and daughter knew no bounds. He was diagnosed shortly after his engagement to the love of his life, Bella, and they recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. Near his end, he expressed to her that his time with her has been far too short. The joy on his face whenever seeing his daughter was palpable.
The last years have seen immeasurable suffering for Paul and Bella, as he lost his ability to swallow, speak and had tremendous trouble breathing, necessitating numerous surgeries to attempt to widen his nearly sealed trachea. The full extent of his suffering is beyond description, but he never complained and was always with joy, continuing to study and to do all he could do for his family.
Due to his condition, especially his inability to speak, Paul was unable to work, (except a recent online dental job which he worked hard at these past months), using up all their savings and plunging them into destitution. Numerous times near the end, Paul expressed to Bella his concern of who’s going to provide for them should he be taken…
As a community, we believe it’s incumbent upon us all to provide for this beautiful family and ensure that they never lack their basic needs. Although Bella works for Dallas Kosher, the shortfall is considerable, with rent, tuition for Torah Day School, (which has been a lifesaver for her), food, medical insurance and whatever life brings.
We are providing a link which enables you to make a tax-deductible donation to Ohr HaTorah Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund-Weissburd Family.
We are reaching out to our generous community to extend the Weissburds your generosity. Most helpful are donations set up on a monthly basis, as their needs are not one-time rather long-term.
- $5350.00 provides expenses for one month
- $1400.00 provides food for a month
- $1225.00 provides expenses for one week
- $325.00 provides food for a week
Let us all join together as bring some peace into this family who has suffered so much.
The Al-mighty will surely reward greatly all those who join in this crucial mitzvah.
Sadly and sincerely yours,
Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried
Rosh Hakollel / Dean of DATA
Rabbi Aryeh Feigenbaum
Rabbi of Congregation Ohr HaTorah