By: Fern Sidman
The Ateres Chynka Hall on the border of Flatbush and Boro Park was filled to capacity on Tuesday evening April 27th, as the ladies of the Satmar Bikur Cholim gathered for their 2010 Spring Tea. Renowned for their exemplary dedication to visiting those in hospitals and providing boundless succor to the elderly, the homebound, families of special needs children and women who have just given birth, the Satmar Bikur Cholim also provides financial assistance to the needy and those hardest hit by skyrocketing medical costs.
Special tributes were paid to the guests of honor, Rebbetzin Avigail Ginzberg of Cedarhurst and Rebbetzin Chana Spiegel who were hailed as true Nashim Tzidkanyos (righteous women) for their unflagging and tireless devotion to helping the infirm and their families. The recipient of this year’s Kesser Shem Tov Award was Dina Iskowitz, the Chesed Award was presented to Devori Weinstock, the Rae (Farber) Stein Memorial Awardee was Rivkah Szmulewicz and the Community Service Award went to Gail Ehrlich. Memorial awards were presented in loving memory of Rochel Traube, A”H, and Rafael Gancz, A”H by their respective families.
Three outstanding physicians received special recognition for their commitment to the needs of their patients and the community at large. A father and son team, Baroukh E. Kodsi, MD, FACP and son Robert Kodsi, MD were hailed as “messengers and partners of HaKadosh Baruch Hu in their dedication to healing” and were presented with the auspicious Physician of the Year Award. The elder Dr. Kodzi said it is his “honor and pleasure to serve the community” and praised the Satmar Bikur Cholim for its exceptional service.
The highlight of the evening was the address delivered by Dr. Barry J. Buls, beloved internist with a practice in Flatbush, who was the recipient of a very special Physician of the Year Award for his decades of unflinching commitment to his patients, his infinite compassion and his ceaseless Ahavas Yisroel. Speaking of the stalwart volunteers of the Satmar Bikur Cholim he said, “Why is it that women say the brocha, ‘Sh’Asani Kirtzono’ when all of us were created according to the will of Hashem? It is because the world was devoid of chesed (kindness) before the creation of the first woman. It is through women that we learned the true meaning of Hashem’s chesed.”
He added, “when members of our community are suffering, these ladies who truly understand the true meaning of words bikur cholim rise to the occasion and actually investigate what a choleh and their families need and act upon it.” Dr. Buls relayed a poignant story of a person who was quite ill. Due to financial hardships, they and their family were living in dire poverty. With no means to purchase beds, the family was sleeping on the floor amid clutter. When told of this situation it was the Satmar Bikur Cholim who immediately provided brand new beds and other essentials to the family; ensuring that they would live in a clean and safe environment.
In his concluding remarks Dr. Buls said, “Now, more then ever, our times dictate that the services that the Satmar Bikur Cholim perform will be indispensable” and urged the community to continue its support.
