About Hatzalah Museum
Historic Hatzolah Ambulance Used At Rav Moshe Feinstein Levaya Being Restored For “Hatzolah Museum”
A historic Hatzolah Ambulance that was used to carry the Aron of the late Posek Hador, Hagaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein ZT”L, has been moved to Brooklyn.
The Lower East Side Hatzolah ambulance was seen in the iconic photo taken at the massive Levaya, when tens of thousands walked behind the Aron, as it headed to JFK Airport. The same ambulance was used to transport Rav Moshe to the hospital, when he reportedly uttered his final words “Ich hub mer nisht kein koach” (I have no more strength).
Earlier this week, the ambulance was towed to Superior Collision on Coney Island Avenue, where Hatzolah volunteer Nussy Josephy is working on restoring the ambulance, which had been sitting in a parking lot in the Lower East Side for nearly 35 years.
The Ambulance is being restored for the “Hatzolah Museum”, which is in its initial planning stages. Josephy has been working on compiling Hatzolah paraphernalia for the past few years, many of it, from the first few years that the organization was founded around 50 years ago.
Further details on the Hatzolah Museum will be published at a later date.
Article written by @theyeshivaworld
Beyond the Decades: Hatzolah Museum Makes Debut at Brooklyn Expo
Recently, hundreds of Hatzolah members from branches throughout the East Coast at a massive expo at the Brooklyn Expo Center.
But one exhibit stood out—drawing the attention of all the participants, putting a look of nostalgia on their faces. While it did feature communications, transportation, and medical equipment...they were not operational, and were quite old. These vintage artifacts are part of the history of Hatzolah, the legendary organization which remains prime model for activism and chessed of the Orthodox Jewish Community. They are now the possession of the Museum of Hatzolah, dedicated to commemorating the heroism and courage of those early members—who jumped into this holy work before it was fashionable—through these now-antiquated vehicles and pieces of equipment that were part of their avodas hakodesh in those early days.
The passion behind the project is Nussi Josephy—also known as B64, his unit number in Boro Park Hatzolah—who is approaching his third decade in the organization. He is the son of Rabbi Nachum Tzvi Josephy, z”l, the rov of Beis Hamedrash Hagodol of Boro Park (located on 56th Street, off New Utrecht Avenue), and has been a close confidante to the Munkatcher Rebbe.
Many of these items were on display at the Hatzolah fair, some of which the older ones among us may recognize... like the cherry light, in green and red that members would throw on top of their cars as they were racing to calls, numerous vintage Hatzolah badges and jackets, large, bulky radios, and many others.
When opened—a milestone that is dependent largely on funding—the Hatzolah museum will be under the auspices of Central Hatzolah, which is headquartered in Boro Park, and led by its CEO rabbi Yehiel Kalish.
Mr. Josephy explains his passion for creating the museum: “I felt it was important to remember... to commemorate the sacrifices and the dedication of the members from these many decades since the founding of Hatzolah, and through these artifacts, their stories will live on.
Article written by @boropark24news