Elder Rabbi Kamenetzky injured in fall [UPDATE]

Suffered blow to head; some effects linger

By Mayer Fertig / TheJewishStar.com

Nov. 23, 2009 / 5 Cheshvan 5770

Rabbi Binyamin Kamenetzky, founder of Yeshiva of South Shore and many other Five Towns institutions, is hospitalized in stable condition and described as "recovering."

He suffered a fall and a blow to the head at the Sephardic shul on Peninsula Boulevard in Cedarhurst. He was there to borrow a Sefer Torah for the  minyan for Sefardi boys held in the yeshiva on Rosh Chodesh.

“He went to get a Sefer Torah from the Derech Emunah shul on Oakland," a family member told The Jewish Star. "A man brought out the Sefer Torah and he was following. A kid ran up the steps and [Rav Kamenetzky] tripped and fell and hit his head.”

Rav Kamenetzky suffered a concussion that has left some lingering effects. His family requested these not be specifically reported in order to preserve the rav's privacy. He is described as "awake and alert" and the family member stressed that rumors that Rabbi Kamenetzky is comatose are incorrect and untrue.

A statement on the Yeshiva of South Shore website reads, in part, “The Yeshiva and Kamenetzky family truly appreciate everyone's interest and concern regarding Rav Binyamin's condition.”

“In the meantime,” the statement goes on, “continue your Tefillos and Tehillim on behalf of Binyomin ben Itta Ettil, L'Refuah Shelaima.”

“We are hopeful for a full recovery. His doctors have said they have seen full recoveries in similar cases. What we really need is tefillah,” the family member said.

Rabbi Kamenetzky is a son of the late Gadol Hador, Harav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt"l.

The yeshiva website offers an email signup for periodic updates on the rabbi’s condition, and a link to send him good wishes via email.

On Motza’ei Shabbos, Tehillim will be said in Rabbi Kamenetzky’s merit  following the Father-Son learning program at 8:30 p.m. at Cong. Anshei Chesed at the Yeshiva of South Shore.