9 Year Old with Leukemia Gets Jewish Name

Over the past week there has been an outpouring of support from all over the world, for 9 year old Matthew Harms who was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Hundreds of requests have poured in asking for his Jewish Name in order to say Tehilim for his recovery. Matthew is Jewish but was never given a Jewish name; in the past Matthew’s mother was hesitant to give Matthew a Jewish name. “When I saw Matthew’s mom this morning at Hebrew School as she was dropping off her two daughters, I told her that so many people from around the world have asked for Matthew’s Jewish name in order to recite prayers for his recovery. She was so touched by the outpouring of support that she agreed to provide Matthew with his Jewish name” said Rabbi Eli Kornfeld director of Chabad of Hunterdon County.

“Matthew is having a real bad morning” – said Rebekah Harms; Matthew mom –  “and I am on the way home to take him into the hospital, his fever is on the rise and the doctors are concerned, can we name him right here in the parking lot?“  After a five minute discussion on potential names Matthew was given his Jewish name right in the parking lot of Chabad – Please say Tehilim for Moshe Chaim ben Avraham.

With tears in her eyes Rebekah drove home to pick up Moshe Chaim and take him to Saint Peters Medical center.

Today is the last chance to support Matthew and the auction –  Tickets can be purchased until 8:30 PM at www.mychabadauction.com

The auction features 55 prize packages valued at more than $75,000. The grand prize is a private jet vacation getaway for 6, which is getting a lot of attention. Some of the other prizes include an Apple iMac, iPad, iPod, iPad Mini, Macbook Air, $1000 Visa gift card, art pieces from Chagall and Dali, luxurious jewelry and watches, and sports packages.

The auction event will feature world renowned comedian Sarge and will be held at the historic Stangl Factory in Flemington, NJ. It will feature sushi and deluxe food stations by Fumio Catering of Livingston and an open bar by bartender Jeff Goldberg. Admission tickets are $50 and include $25 worth of raffle tickets and a $25 gift card from ice.com.