“Proven leadership qualities and passion for service to others,” with an “energy and enthusiasm level that’s contagious”

Some sequels have happy endings. This is one of them.

Two months ago, we published a feature in our  Succos edition on Rabbi Yehiel Kalish, who discovered the hard way that life in politics wasn’t for him, or his family.

Following his defeat in an Illinois state primary last March defending his seat in the 16th District of the state House of Representatives, he was looking for the right opportunity to return to his roots in askanus.

After reading the Mishpacha article — which also highlighted Rabbi Kalish’s service to Agudath Israel of America — a member of the executive board of Chevra Hatzalah reached out to probe for his interest in applying for its CEO position. Chevra Hatzalah had been seeking a new CEO for years and Rabbi Kalish seemed like an ideal fit for America’s largest volunteer ambulance corps that services a diverse demographic mix.

Rabbi Kalish reached out to Rav Yaakov Bender, the rosh yeshivah of Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway. A longstanding spiritual advisor to the Kalish family, Rav Bender encouraged him to go ahead.

The official announcement came last Friday, in a press release from Chevra Hatzalah board members Isaac Stern and Zelig Gitelis, who praised their new CEO for his “proven leadership qualities and passion for service to others,” with an “energy and enthusiasm level that’s contagious.”

After his brief foray into politics, the CEO position offers Rabbi Kalish an exciting new opportunity.

“My family is beyond supportive of my new role,” he said. “Who wouldn’t support an effort to increase Hatzalah’s amazing efforts and success in saving Jewish lives and the superhuman efforts made 365 days a year by its volunteers?”

Chevra Hatzalah serves the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau County, and areas in upstate New York with over 1,600 EMTs, paramedics, and doctors.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 841)