Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer in Stable Condition After Being Struck by Hit-and-Run Driver

Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, shlita, long-time Rav of the Young Israel of West Hempstead, was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Monday evening.

A white Dodge Ram pick-up truck, believed to be a 2004 or 2005 model, was traveling south on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead around 7:30 p.m. Monday when it struck Rabbi Kelemer as he attempted to cross the street in front of the Young Israel, where has served as Rav since 1983.

Police are seeking the public’s help in finding the driver, who fled the scene after the accident.

Rabbi Kelemer, 70, fractured his hip, and is recovering in Winthrop Hospital in Mineola.

“The community was shocked” to hear of the incident, Rabbi David Wershaw, Executive Director of the shul, told Hamodia. “Everyone is showing great concern.”

Rabbi Kelemer is not accepting visitors at this time, but he is, Baruch Hashem, in stable condition.

“Rabbi Kelemer needs our tefillos,” said Rabbi Wershaw. “We are asking everyone to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Yehuda ben Rivka Leah, b’soch sh’ar cholei Yisrael.”