A warm welcome home in Cedarhurst

Wok Tov, a kosher Chinese restaurant on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst, was the scene of a welcome home party given by Far Rockaway resident Avi Mandel last Sunday, who was homeless for three years before finding a bit of good luck come his way (Herald, March 3-9).

Following a childhood where he, along with his two sisters and a brother, were abused by their parents, Mandel worked for a North Woodmere family for nearly 30 years taking care of a man who was paralyzed.

When Mandel’s services were no longer needed he was let go and found himself with nowhere to go and still hurting due to his parents abuse. In and out of a group home and hospital care, he lived on the streets of Cedarhurst, where he did find some kind people.

Though his sisters Elaine Bergenholtz, who lives in Arizona and Debra Pearlman, who lives in upstate Chester, tried to keep tabs on him, Mandel was helped by Five Towns resident Yehoshua Allswang, who helped Mandel rent a basement apartment in Far Rockaway.

Allswang and Mandel's sisters attended the party and Mandel said, “I had the privilege of having my sister Elaine stay with me.” Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum of Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst also attended the party

Mandel also received a total of $21,000 from a lawsuit settlement that he has used to repay those who lent him money or gave him discounted food.

And in a reversal of roles, Mandel was approached outside before the party began by two people he didn’t know, who asked him to help them. He obliged, giving them $20.