By Jesse Sherer
The Gruen foundation provided the life-saving equipment. Helsinger formed the organization in 1986 after her own son, Jason, died of idiopathic hypertrophic sub-aortic stenosis, a heart disease. The foundation funds research into heart ailments and provides life-saving equipment.
"I felt that had there been a defibrillator, it would have given Jason enough time to live" when his heart failed, said Helsinger. "I think defibrillators should be in every place students and people are."
Helsinger donated five defibrillators, at a cost of $3,000. The price includes training. She said HAFTR's response was "immediately receptive."
Greenberg's death at the tender age of 14 spawned numerous discussions on the need for defibrillators last week. Though many agreed that a defibrillator, which HAFTR did not have, would not have helped after Jacob collapsed in front of the school recently, many others said that the device should be placed in buildings across the county.
Defibrillators are becoming more common. They can be found in planes, airports and stadiums; even online retailer Amazon.com sells a home unit. Public schools are all required to have them, and some private schools now keep them handy as well.
"They are a life-saving device," said Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat of Long Beach. "They should be made available for students, faculty and anyone who attends school functions."
Weisenberg is a vocal supporter of defibillators; he sponsored a defibrillator bill in 2002 that now requires all New York public schools to have them. He also helped provide funds for the Hebrew Academy Elementary School to get one.
"New York is the only state in the country to have [a defibrillator] law passed," said Weisenberg, who is trying to get the devices placed on area beaches. "They should be in every public environment because they save lives."
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum of the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst knows full well the difference that a defibrillator can make; he used one to help resuscitate a congregant who had collapsed after a study session six years ago. "I thank God for fact we had it, and I thank those who made sure we had one," said Teitelbaum.
Many area yeshivas have defibrillators, including Brandeis in Lawrence, which decided to get a unit and train 13 staff members after public schools were required to have them.
