A terrible tragedy occurred on Wednesday, the final day of Adar. A month that is filled with simcha suddenly turned to sorrow with the untimely passing of Rabbi Yehuda Shomer at the young age of 32. He leaves behind two fun, loving and bright daughters, ages 7 and 6. Words cannot convey the void this leaves in their hearts and in their lives.
Yehuda was a dedicated mechanech who taught Torah at Yeshiva Schools and Hillel Academy in Pittsburgh, PA, where he was well known across the community for his outgoing, warm, and friendly spirit.
In addition to the immediate costs that need to be met in the aftermath of this terrible loss, funds must also be raised for the girls’ education, camps, and myriad basic needs that their father would have supported them in until adulthood.
Chaim Shomer shared, “My brother, Yehuda, was a true source of inspiration to his community. He was consistently involved in community events, and constantly thought of how he can make this world a better place. He placed everyone else before himself.
At a moment like this, it is incumbent on all of us to support Yehuda’s family, and reciprocate what Yehuda did for so many.
There is one very concrete thing that you can do to help: You can donate to a special fund being set up to provide a firm basis of financial security for his daughters. We want to ensure that as they face the future, they will be able to do so with dignity. With your help, they will grow up amongst the daughters of Israel, as strong pillars of our next generation.
Our initial goal is to raise $500,000.
100% of the raised funds will be going directly to the Shomer family.
Oversight, collection, investment and disbursement of the funds in a responsible manner will be managed by a three person vaad, under the auspices of Bnai Emunoh Chabad of Greenfield, PA.
Rabbi Elchonon Friedman, Spiritual leader of Bnai Emunoh Chabad
Judah Cowen, President of Bnai Emunoh Chabad
Daniel Hertzberg.
They could be reached at 412-521-1477.
The campaign is supported by the following rabbonim, family and friends of the family who will have full oversight of the Vaad and will decide all policies related to investment and disbursement.
Rabbi Shais Taub
Rabbi Shimon Silver
Rabbi Eliezer Shusterman
Rabbi Sam Weinberg
Rabbi Oren Levy
Rabbi Eli Shomer
Mr. Chaim Shomer
Mrs. Chasya Hertzberg
Mrs. Shprintza Goldberg
Dr. Michoel Schulman
