The Horowitz triplets Alex, Kelsey and Josh celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah on December 5, 2009 at Congregation Sons of Israel in Briarcliff Manor, NY. The recipient of their Mitzvah Project was an obvious choice for these three…the hospital that took care of them when they were born prematurely. We got the chance to speak with the Horowitz family to learn more about their children’s Mitzvah Project.
(Pictured L-R Alex, Kelsey and Josh Horowitz)
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
Horowitz Family: The kids chose to work with Blythedale Hospital because Alex spent 5 months there as an infant. The kids (triplets) were preemies and spent many months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey. Alex was unable to come home after 8 months in the NICU and went to Blythedale to try and get him healthy enough to come home. He turned a year old in the hospital and was finally able to go home at 13 months. The kids wanted to give back to Blythedale for taking such good care of Alex when he was a baby. We have kept in touch with some of the doctors and nurses who took care of Alex over 12 years ago.
MM: Tell us about the hospital that benefited from your Project.
Horowitz Family: Blythdale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, care and treatment of children with complex medical and rehabilitative needs.
MM: Tell us about your Mitzvah Project.
Horowitz Family: Our Mitzvah Project was done in two parts. For the first part called, “Blankets for Babies,” we put a donation box in at the Temple and sent out emails to over 500 families to collect blankets that the hospital could use for newborn babies. The hospital said they needed a fresh supply so we thought that would be good for us to do. The second thing we did was to volunteer at the hospital. We played games and read to the sick children and helped them pass the time. “I was sick there and they helped me. I just wanted to help them,” Alex said. Kelsey adds, “(The hospital) was, I guess is, part of us.” And Josh chimes in, “And it’s fun to play games there. It’s really not that much.”
The triplets celebrated their Bar/Bat Mitzvah with a festive party at Trump Naitonal in Briarcliff Manor. Look for a Mitzvah Family Spotlight on their joyous celebration soon!
We want to thank the Horowitz family for sharing their triplets Mitzvah Project with our Mitzvah Market readers.
