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PRESS RELEASE: CHEZI'S CORNER OPENS IN THORNHILL ONTARIO Date: December 23, 2004 Contact: Ed Schilds December 22, 2004, Ed and Brenda Schilds and Regesh Family Services, opened in a private ceremony "Chezi's Corner," a "High On Success" residential progam home for at-risk Jewish youth. Chezi's Corner" is named after Yechezkel Chezi Scotty Goldberg, the first Canadian murdered in a terrorist bus bombing murder in Israel. Goldberg, age 41, was a radio show host, columnist and pioneer in the area of at-risk Jewish youth. "Chezi's Corner" is the name of Goldberg's column in Brooklyn's Jewish Press, offering parenting advice. In attendance was Goldberg's mother Mrs. Ruth Goldberg, brothers Dr's Ron and Chaim Goldberg, sisters Marla Figdor, Carrie Devorah, Nesya Jacob, spouses and children. " Schild's, a teacher of Goldberg's at Eitz Chaim School, knew him since he was eleven years old, later becoming a mentor when Goldberg entered the field of at-risk youth. Schild's said, "It is with mixed feelings that we offer our thanks to Hakodosh Baruch and dedicate the residential component of our new High On Success program as Chezi's Corner. We will never forget this wonderful kindness to his family, friends and those you who relied on him so much." ".While we are here today as a dedication to the memory of Chezi, it isalso a tribute to his legacy of saving so many Jewish Neshamas." Schild's program is unique. It is a mentor program, "the participants after learning new skills for themselves will go on to the next step and be taught how to apply their new life and social skills to teach other youth. They will become mentors to others." "What better tribute to Chezi can there be?" Goldberg's 74 year old mother was the second speaker. She said, "my grandchildren, set up a memorial in a corner of their home in Beitar Ilit, Israel, honoring their dad, calling their memorial "Chezi's Corner" after his column in the Jewish Press. "I am grateful to God for blessing me with my son, for directing Chezi to Mr. Schilds, for their roads converging, time and again." Goldberg and Schilds spoke the week before his murder regarding safe homes for at risk youth. Schilds chose to continue forward with the dream he shared with Goldberg, safe homes of youth." Goldberg's mother said, "join in opening this home of promise, holding Chezi's torch high, knowing he looks down, beaming with pride." RUTH GOLDBERG'S SPEECH Soon after the murder of my son, Yechezkel Chezi Scotty Goldberg, his children, my grandchildren, set up a memorial in a corner of their home in Beitar Ilit, Israel, honoring their dad, calling their memorial "Chezi's Corner" after his column in the Jewish Press. We stand here today at the dedication of this home, of the same name, a legacy offering hope and promise, continuing my son's dedicated work for at-risk Jewish youth and young adults. Each day, through these difficult times, seeking solace, I find myself humming, singing, "the world is a very narrow bridge," "Kol Ha'olam Kulo Gesher Ktzar Me'od. " Long before Chezi's murder, it would bring me peace. I continue to draw strength from this song trying to understand the "why's" of God's way. In time I found myself putting to paper, words of comfort I provided to my son's tear filled friends, readers and strangers offering condolences. To me, the lyrics of my song partnered with "Gesher Tzar Meod's" tune, that I am about to share with you is about bridging my family's past to our present. Chezi's words, "If you don't cry who will." My words, "Do not despair," "you must be strong," "never fear." If you don't cry who will, Chezi did and does still Chezi cries for you. You must sing and smile You must not despair, Hold his torch up high Its for you to share Chezi is proud of you. You must never fear, You must be so strong You must always act, You must right the wrong Chezi did that for you. You must not question God's wisdom You must not ask why was it done, You must be grateful and agree For what was and for what yet will be, Chezi prays for you. God works in wondrous ways. Today, at this dedication of "Chezi's Corner," we understand the "what will be" of "what was" thirty years ago when Chezi and Ed Schild first connected. Bridges converging. Chezi was about 11 or 12 years old. Their rapor was instant. It remained so over the years. Whenever I would see Mr. Schild I would always share with him how profound his impact was with my son. About eight years ago, Mr. Schild and Chezi bumped into each other in Israel. Bridges connecting, again. Their peer-colleague relationship continued to mature. Four years ago, Chezi invited Mr. Schild as a guest on to his radio show "Lifeline," discussing at-risk youth. Their passion. For what will be? Hashem, I am grateful to you for "what was," blessing me with my son, for directing Chezi to Mr. Schild, for their roads converging, time and again. Geshers. Bridges. Tzar me'od. Very narrow. V'ha Ikar, Lo l'phached klal.. But what matters most is not to be at all afraid.. We don't question. We accept. And join in opening this home of promise, holding Chezi's torch high, knowing he looks down, beaming with pride. Y'hi shem hashem m'vorach. god be blessed..