Rabbi Binyamin Kamenetzky accepting visitors

In rehab in Lakewood, NJ, recovering from fall

By Jewish Star Staff

Rabbi Binyamin Kamenetzky, founder of Yeshiva of South Shore and other Five Towns institutions, has been moved to a rehabilitation facility near family in Lakewood, NJ where he is accepting visitors and “continues to improve,” according to his son, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky.

“Baruch Hashem, he’s on the mend. I don’t know when, but hopefully at the end of January he’ll be out,” he said. “He’s taking phone calls. His speaking is progressing. We’re grateful to the Ribbono Shel Olam.”

The elder Rabbi Kamenetzky suffered a fall and a blow to the head in mid-November outside the Sephardic shul on Peninsula Boulevard in Cedarhurst. The resulting head injury affected his speech.

After an initial period of hospitalization Rav Kamenetzky was moved to the renowned Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ. Upon his improvement the family selected the Leisure Chateau Rehabilitation and Care Center in Lakewood, a kosher facility, largely on the reputed strength of its speech therapy program.

While Rav Kamenetzky was at Kessler, the singer Michoel Pruzansky performed a kumzitz for him and a number of visitors. Visits to Rabbi Kamenetzky are now encouraged between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and in the afternoon, between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. New Jersey state law requires visitors to be over the age of 11. The family asks that visitors not show up unannounced but coordinate their visit by e-mailing Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky at rmkam@yoss.org — a link to a web reservation page will be sent by return e-mail. Or, call Yeshiva of South Shore at 516-374-7363 x114.