Within the past few months, ten individuals have been selected by CNN as the Top 10 CNN Heroes for their work in humanitarian aid or contributions to their community. (Voting for the CNN Hero of the Year, chosen from these 10, is open until this Sunday, November 16th). Among these 10 Heroes is Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg (YU alumnus ’77), responsible for founding and maintaining the organization Kids Kicking Cancer. The organization supports young cancer patients by strengthening the mind and body through martial arts. The Observer staff had the chance to interview Rabbi Goldberg about his meaningful organization.
The
Observer:
Observer:
What was your inspiration and impetus for starting Kids Kicking Cancer?
Rabbi
Elimelech
Goldberg:
Elimelech
Goldberg:
We experienced a loss in order to start the organization. Our daughter was an amazing neshama, a two year old with leukemia. Unfortunately, 34 years ago, leukemia was untreatable. Seven years later, when Rabbi Scholar was starting Camp Simcha, I wanted to help him. Rabbi Scholar said, ‘I want you to direct the camp.’ At the camp, I came across a child in the infirmary going through a routine procedure. As he cried, the medical staff held on tighter. I walked in and yelled ‘Wait!’ I said, ‘I am a black belt.’ I did some [deep] breaths and moves with him and twenty minutes later he looked up, as they were taking the needle out, and asked if they [had finished] yet. Kids Kicking Cancer was born.
O:
What does being a CNN Hero mean for the organization?
REG:
[Being on] CNN is an opportunity to be shown internationally. CNN came to film me working with Daniel, a boy from South Africa. One of our goals is to go viral. Most importantly, before November 16th, our goal is to [get the word out] to vote. Each hero gets $25,000, with the winner getting an additional $100,000. I want to demonstrate that Jews bring light onto the nations.
O:
What are the principles behind the Kids Kicking Cancer?
REG:
To breathe in the light and blow out the darkness. Our purpose is to have our kids teach this to the world.
O:
Who participates in the program? Does it cater specifically to Jewish kids?
REG:
Only in Israel is there a high rate of Jewish kids. All children are our kids…they [even] wanted us to go to Italy, which started our Italian program. I, as an Orthodox rabbi, was given permission from the pope to teach Eastern Asia techniques—really amazing.
O:
How is the program—which is free for all patients—funded?
REG:
A lot of praying—we have no professional fundraiser. People have sponsored and we have a growing circle of support, [especially] from the CNN opportunity. Mostly funds are from individuals ranging from $10 to a lot more.
O:
How long do the kids remain in the program?
REG:
We continue to work with them as much as possible. We see some children weekly. All of our children become teachers for others. One of the kids who now teaches a class, his mother was told he wouldn’t [survive]. We are now working with others with chronic pain to bring in the light. Around the planet, we want to reach every child in pain.
O:
What is your karate background?
REG:
I felt every rabbi has to break his board (…that’s a joke). I have always been inspired by karate and first pursued Korean martial arts. Indonesian arts use the key for taking inner control by the ability to breathe through focus.
O:
What is the size of the organization?
REG:
Right now we are in four countries, 30 hospitals worldwide. God willing, we are growing.
O:
Who are the teachers overseeing the classes?
REG:
We have a network of martial artists and created a handbook using martial arts as healing tools. For our larger programs we bring in volunteers.
O:
What motivates you to continue maintaining your organization?
REG:
At a party by [an] organization, one of our students was wheeled up to the front by his twin sister, Brittany, and said ‘Hi! I am Barnard and I want to teach you to breathe in the light and blow out the darkness.’ He demonstrated, and ended with a beautiful smile. I remember how it was hard to speak after him—his mom had run away, his father had died when Barnard was only 8, his uncle when he was 9, and then Barnard was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was slowly stealing his movement. That’s what our kids teach—power, peace, purpose.