Help Gary at His Journey's End
Donation protected
It is with great sadness that I share with you all that Gary passed away on Saturday, October 15th, 2016. He leaves behind his wife Miriam and their twins Hannah and David.
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2/27/18 - It's been quite some time since I've updated this campaign. Thank God, it was very successful and all of you helped ease the burden of Gary's passing for Miriam and her two beautiful children.
The money raised was put to good use, providing Gary with the care that he needed and giving Miriam and the kids some financial stability as they struggled with their new reality. Miriam has been a true hero and inspiration, working two (and sometimes three) jobs to make sure that she and the twins have been able to move forward in peace and security.
Unfortunately, and due to no fault of her own, Miriam continues to struggle with the fallout of Gary's death. He was indeed a loving husband and father, but he left behind a business situation that he could never have foreseen, but which Miriam has had to deal with at great emotional and monetary cost.
Through hard work, faith, and some divine intervention Miriam has been able to find a way to raise much of what she needs to put this behind her, however she has come up short by $30,000 and with no clear way of finding the money. To reiterate, this is a workplace situation regarding an employee that arose when Gary was sick, and while Miriam did not create the situation she became obligated to deal with it upon Gary's passing.
I clearly have no complaints with the incredible generosity of all of you who have contributed to this campaign, and I completely understand if asking again for help is too much. That being said, Miriam and the kids are our friends, our neighbors, and they once more need our help.
Thank you for your generosity and for your consideration in this great mitzvah. May every penny you donate bring blessing to you and your family.
JEFF
P.S. Even if you are unable to donate, please share this with the people you know. Together we can do this.
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My wife and I met Gary, Miriam, and their beautiful twins, Hannah and David, four years ago when we bought a house across the street from them. In a very short time they became family to us.
Less than a year ago, on a Sabbath family outing, Gary had a seizure in front of his wife and children. A day later he was in surgery and the diagnosis was grim.
Gary has glioblastoma multiforme, a type of aggressive brain cancer with a devastating prognosis of only 1 in 4 patients surviving more than two years. Gary's doctors have told Miriam that Gary will not be that one. It is now the end of June and Gary has been discharged from the hospital. He is coming back to the home that he built with Miriam, away from the cruel efficiency of the hospital room, to finish his journey in an enviornment of peace and love.
Sadly, Gary does not have a life insurance policy. Miriam is dealing heroically with her beloved husband's illness while also facing the crushing burden of mounting bills and a near-term future of financial uncertainty, and all while putting on the bravest face she can for Hannah and David who count on her to be their rock.
All of this has placed a tremendous emotional strain on Miriam and the twins, one that my wife and I are dedicated to easing with the help of as many people as we can. We believe fully in the biblical injunction against turning a deaf ear to the cries of widows and orphans.
We initially set a target amount to raise of $76,000 to cover the 24/7 hospice care Gary needs, six months of mortgage, and while we will never give up hope of a miracle for Gary, funeral expenses if and when that day come. We hit that goal in less than two days, so I've increased the goal to $150,000. This will go a long way towards handling Miriam and Gary's bills, debts, and obligations -- both known and surprising -- as well as to set up a college fund for Hannah and David. Except for the standard GoFundMe and merchant card fees, 100% of the money raised will go to Miriam and the twins. As I said in update #4, I promise that the money raised will be put to good and not frivolous use, managed responsibly, and will go to the benefit of a family that, in just a few short days, has become part of so many of our families, too.
My wife and I have never tried to help a family in this way before, but we have never met a family like this before. We are inspired by the outpouring of love and support we've seen all over GoFundMe. No amount is too small.
Thank you for reading and considering. And if you can, please share this.
—————————————————————————————
2/27/18 - It's been quite some time since I've updated this campaign. Thank God, it was very successful and all of you helped ease the burden of Gary's passing for Miriam and her two beautiful children.
The money raised was put to good use, providing Gary with the care that he needed and giving Miriam and the kids some financial stability as they struggled with their new reality. Miriam has been a true hero and inspiration, working two (and sometimes three) jobs to make sure that she and the twins have been able to move forward in peace and security.
Unfortunately, and due to no fault of her own, Miriam continues to struggle with the fallout of Gary's death. He was indeed a loving husband and father, but he left behind a business situation that he could never have foreseen, but which Miriam has had to deal with at great emotional and monetary cost.
Through hard work, faith, and some divine intervention Miriam has been able to find a way to raise much of what she needs to put this behind her, however she has come up short by $30,000 and with no clear way of finding the money. To reiterate, this is a workplace situation regarding an employee that arose when Gary was sick, and while Miriam did not create the situation she became obligated to deal with it upon Gary's passing.
I clearly have no complaints with the incredible generosity of all of you who have contributed to this campaign, and I completely understand if asking again for help is too much. That being said, Miriam and the kids are our friends, our neighbors, and they once more need our help.
Thank you for your generosity and for your consideration in this great mitzvah. May every penny you donate bring blessing to you and your family.
JEFF
P.S. Even if you are unable to donate, please share this with the people you know. Together we can do this.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
My wife and I met Gary, Miriam, and their beautiful twins, Hannah and David, four years ago when we bought a house across the street from them. In a very short time they became family to us.
Less than a year ago, on a Sabbath family outing, Gary had a seizure in front of his wife and children. A day later he was in surgery and the diagnosis was grim.
Gary has glioblastoma multiforme, a type of aggressive brain cancer with a devastating prognosis of only 1 in 4 patients surviving more than two years. Gary's doctors have told Miriam that Gary will not be that one. It is now the end of June and Gary has been discharged from the hospital. He is coming back to the home that he built with Miriam, away from the cruel efficiency of the hospital room, to finish his journey in an enviornment of peace and love.
Sadly, Gary does not have a life insurance policy. Miriam is dealing heroically with her beloved husband's illness while also facing the crushing burden of mounting bills and a near-term future of financial uncertainty, and all while putting on the bravest face she can for Hannah and David who count on her to be their rock.
All of this has placed a tremendous emotional strain on Miriam and the twins, one that my wife and I are dedicated to easing with the help of as many people as we can. We believe fully in the biblical injunction against turning a deaf ear to the cries of widows and orphans.
We initially set a target amount to raise of $76,000 to cover the 24/7 hospice care Gary needs, six months of mortgage, and while we will never give up hope of a miracle for Gary, funeral expenses if and when that day come. We hit that goal in less than two days, so I've increased the goal to $150,000. This will go a long way towards handling Miriam and Gary's bills, debts, and obligations -- both known and surprising -- as well as to set up a college fund for Hannah and David. Except for the standard GoFundMe and merchant card fees, 100% of the money raised will go to Miriam and the twins. As I said in update #4, I promise that the money raised will be put to good and not frivolous use, managed responsibly, and will go to the benefit of a family that, in just a few short days, has become part of so many of our families, too.
My wife and I have never tried to help a family in this way before, but we have never met a family like this before. We are inspired by the outpouring of love and support we've seen all over GoFundMe. No amount is too small.
Thank you for reading and considering. And if you can, please share this.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeff Schechter
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Miriam Sinai
Beneficiary
