In the wake of this morning’s devastating accident on the New Jersey Turnpike that claimed the lives of four young yeshiva bachurim from Lakewood and South Fallsburg, Chai Lifeline’s Crisis Intervention Team has been working around the clock to support families, friends, and community members grappling with shock and grief.

“This is an unspeakable tragedy. Our hearts are with the families and the entire community during this time of overwhelming loss,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “Our New Jersey and New York crisis teams have been providing guidance and support since the moment the news broke, helping families, rabbanim, and peers process this painful reality with sensitivity and care. In moments like these, we are reminded of the strength of Klal Yisroel, standing together, mourning together, and supporting one another.”

Chai Lifeline’s trained crisis responders have been deployed to affected communities, schools, and yeshivos, offering counseling, trauma guidance, and group interventions. Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, Director of Chai Lifeline Crisis Services, has issued the following practical guidelines to help parents, educators, and community leaders navigate conversations surrounding grief and tragedy.

Rabbi Mordechai Gobioff, MSW Chai Lifeline National Director of Client Services added that “Our crisis hotline and response teams have been inundated with calls. People are struggling to comprehend this loss, and our goal is to provide them with practical tools and emotional support to get through the coming days. We’ve been coordinating teams across our regions to ensure that families, schools, and communities receive the guidance and care they need as quickly as possible.”

“This is a very raw tragedy, and our initial focus must be on allowing families space, and on being aware of our own emotional reactions,” said Rabbi Sruli Fried, MSW, director of Chai Lifeline New Jersey. “It is normal to feel grief, shock, or fear. Talking through these feelings with someone you trust, and maintaining daily structure and connection, are key steps toward emotional healing.”

In light of the horrific tragedies this morning with the untimely passing of Shloimy Kohn, Chaim Simcha Grossman, Yaakov Kilberg, and Ahron Nosson Leibowitz, Z”L, Rabbi Sruli Fried, MSW, from Chai Lifeline, shares some thoughts on how to speak to our Bochurim. To listen to the recording, please call the conference number at 425-436-6309, access code 745879. For any specific questions, please feel free to call the Chai Lifeline Crisis number at (855) 3CRISIS.

Chai Lifeline encourages anyone in need of support to contact its 24-hour crisis hotline at 855-3-CRISIS. New Jersey families can contact [email protected] and New York families can contact [email protected] for additional guidance.