WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES FEBRUARY 11, 2021 5
Local group helps Holocaust survivor secure vaccine
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
While many seniors continue
to struggle with
the COVID-19 vaccination
distribution process across the city,
a Forest Hills Jewish organization
came to the aid of a Holocaust survivor
and helped her receive her
inoculation.
Agota Adler, 85, was able to sign
up for her coronavirus vaccine
during last week’s snowstorm but
she had difficulty arranging a ride
from her Great Neck home to the
Queens Hospital Center campus on
164th Street in Jamaica Hills and
Hillcrest.
Adler turned to Chaverim for
assistance and volunteers from
the group, which is known for its
free-of-charge roadside assistance
in a variety of non-emergency
situations including the delivery
of food to homebound individuals,
mobilized to assist her.
“Chaverim took me from my home
to the hospital in Queens, where I
was vaccinated,” Adler said. “I did
not feel any pain.”
Originally from Budapest, Hungary,
Adler survived the Holocaust
and fled the communist regime that
followed World War II. She credits
her survival to the legendary diplomat
Raoul Wallenberg as Hungary
wavered in its Jewish policy during
the war.
Adler settled in Great Neck where
she lived for the past 47 years with
her husband Greoge, who was also a
beneficiary on Wallenberg’s Schulz
Pass. He died last April just as the
COVID-19 pandemic descended on
the New York metropolitan area.
As the winter storm arrived last
week, Adler missed her scheduled
appointment for the vaccine
injection.
Adler turned to the Forest Hills
organization for help.
“She called Chaverim stating that
she had a vaccine appointment
scheduled during the snowstorm
to hit last week but was unable to
get anyone to take her,” Chaverim
founder Avi Cyperstein said. “
Cyperstein, a candidate for Councilwoman
Karen Koslowitz’s seat
in District 26, which covers Forest
Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and
Richmond Hill, helped transport
Adler to her destination Friday.
“We joined the line and when we
got to the window we explained the
situation and were informed that
because she didn’t have an appointment
she wouldn’t be able to get the
vaccine,” Cyperstein said. “This was
her third attempt to get the vaccine.
Immediately we asked for a supervisor
and a truly amazing individual
named John was there within a minute
and heard our explanation.”
Adler was placed in a line and received
her shot within 15 minutes.
“On the way home she exclaimed
with excitement, how she survived
the Holocaust, lived through almost
a year of the COVID pandemic, and
finally got a vaccine,” Cyperstein
said. “She was elated as she called
her friends and family on the way
home to share the news.”
A Forest Hills Jewish organization was instrumental in helping Holocaust
survivor Agota Adler receive her COVID-19 vaccination.
Courtesy of Chaverim
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