Two Orthodox Jewish men from Cleveland, Ohio were tragically killed on Thursday night in a plane crash in Westchester, NY, The Yeshiva World News reported.
Boruch Taub, who was the pilot, and Binyamin Chafetz, both members of the Jewish community in Cleveland, were killed after the Beechcraft A36 they were flying in reported engine troubles and attempted an emergency landing.
Binyamin Chafetz’s last text message to his family members is chilling: “We lost our engines. I love you and the children, forgive me for everything I did, say Tehillim and ask the community to pray,” Chafetz wrote before the crash. He left behind his wife Smadar and their seven children.
Baruch Taub was the owner of Masterworks Automotive Company in Cleveland. Binyamin Chafetz was a technology entrepreneur. Both were known Baalei Chesed and donors to many charities.
Chafetz was a donor to the Chabad Center of Athens, Greece, after he was stranded with many passengers when an El Al Flight to Israel was diverted there for Shabbos, and was grateful for the Shluchim’s hospitality.
He later led a fundraising effort for the Chabad of Athens’ new Mikvah.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a Beechcraft A36 being piloted by Boruch Taub reported engine troubles at about 5:25 pm local time when it was about one mile from the Westchester County Airport. A call was then made to report low oil pressure and an emergency was declared a few minutes later. A “MAYDAY” was heard over air traffic control minutes later, after which no contact was made with the aircraft.
The plane had departed from JFK Airport to Cuyahoga County Airport in Richmond Heights, Ohio and had diverted to Westchester County Airport to attempt an emergency landing, but sadly never made it there.
Search and rescue teams combed the area for hours, locating the wreckage just before 11:00 pm. Sources tell YWN that the plane was found in the trees on a small island on a reservoir just near Westchester County Airport.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Friends , this is a misa meshuna. We Daven each day for hashem to never end our life like this. Two families of yesomim. Two young Almanos all alone. Please don’t just say ad mosai. Show hashem that it’s ad mosai. Do something that’s hard for you, call someone who you know is lonely. Smile at the person you are seething at. May hashem end this dark endless Galus.
This is SO sad! May their families be surrounded by warm and caring friends and family, and may Hashem grant them koach!
They were both on the way back from attending a Levayah in NY 😢
Galus is too much.
May we be zoche to mashiach now .
Grew up in Cleveland and Baruch was a great kid..
From a warm family, they stood out as warm and friendly in contrast to the very strong hisnagdus that was prevalent back then.
Smart, funny, friendly…
I recall he was interested in getting a private pilot license way back.
Such sad news.
Clearly Yad Hashem
May the families find comfort
what is their full name ?
to study lezchus their aliyah
may it be the ultimate one with this hametim now!
bde 😥😥😥😥😥😥