A Grieving Family Says Thank You To All Those Who Helped

After losing her husband to the dreaded virus, Mrs. C. Friedrich penned the following open letter of thanks to all who helped during the difficult time.

To all devoted personnel and klal yisroel,

First of all, I want to acknowledge that everything is in Hashem’s hands. We believe with complete faith that nobody leaves this world unless their time has come. It was divinely preordained for my husband to be taken from this world at the exact moment that he left us.

Hashem’s ways are beyond our understanding; all we know is that everything Hashem does is for our own good.

Our family would like to sincerely thank the devoted Monsey Hatzalah first responders. Within minutes of our call, the first member, Mr. Blau, came running. He began treating my husband diligently and issued a Code 1 after seeing his dire situation. The other three members, Mr. Fleishman and two Reisman brothers, arrived in virtually no time. They immediately assisted in treating him and transported him to the ambulance outside, where they intubated him to raise his oxygen levels. Throughout the stressful and dedicated treatment, they remarkably managed to maintain a sense of calm within the house, ensuring that none of my children at home nor myself
would begin to panic. They transported my husband to Good Samaritan Hospital, where they left only after knowing that he was in proper hands.

The Hatzalah members’ dedication and kindness did not end there. While continuing to serve the community and treat other patients, they managed to call to give us an update about his situation and inform us of the warmth and devotion of the hospital staff. They even returned to our house to provide words of support and ensure that everyone at home was doing well.

I likewise wish to express our appreciation and gratitude for the hospital staff. The liaison, Rabbi Kahan, ensured that my husband felt cared for, although no family members were allowed to visit and he unfortunately had to care for many other patients as well. The chaplain, Rabbi Herbst, said tehillim at my husband’s bedside when learning about his critical condition, recited sh’ma yisroel and vidui at his final moments, and remained at his bedside as a shomer and learned mishnayos in his memory until the chevra kadisha arrived, all while looking after many
others in the hospital. Their kindness and dedication extended even further, as they called and offered their condolences and chizuk during the shiva.

I immensely appreciate the dedication and urgency of the doctors and nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital, who cared for my husband and immediately provided a respirator, administered the proper medication and treatment, and swiftly transported him to the ICU. I don’t know your
names, but I know that you were there, that you did everything you could, and that you gave your all until the final moment to try to save his life.
To all doctors, nurses, first responders, and others on the front lines, Thank you so much! I know that you have families and loved ones too and that you are exhausted and overwhelmed. Yet, you continue to heroically and devotedly put your health and life at risk to treat our families and
loved ones.

Finally, I cannot sufficiently thank all the people who supported and continue to support us during this challenging time. We are overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness the community and klal yisroel have shown us.

My heart, and the hearts of my children, are with the far too many others who have also lost loved ones during this difficult time, and we wish a Refuah Sheleima and speedy recovery to all those still afflicted with this terrible disease.

We pray and hope that no one else has to experience the pain and loss that we have endured, and the hishtadlus that we can do is to follow the unanimous advice of both rabbonim and medical experts of V’Nishmartem Meod Al Nafshoseichem (protecting life) by observing social distancing and staying at home as much as possible.

May Hashem have rachmonus on us and bring the גו אל צדק בב״א.

Sincerely,
Mrs. C. Friedrich and children

In memory and honor of Lipa Friedrich z’’l