Confined to a wheelchair as the result of a terrorist attack, former Monmouth County resident Steve Averbach was back on his home turf this month to spread a message of hope.

As spokesman for the appropriately named Project Tikvah, which uses sports activities to rehabilitate Israeli children and their family members who have been victims of terror, Averbach addressed an audience at the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal and met with supporters of the three-year-old organization.

His impassioned words resulted in the presentation of two $10,000 checks to the organization.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County gave Project Tikvah the first $10,000 check, which was followed by another from the oral surgery practice of Dr. Jeff Elbaum of Ocean Township, a longtime friend of Averbach, and his partners, Dr. Barry Elbaum and Dr. Brian Krost, both of Oakhurst.

“Project Tikvah is a fantastic organization, and we are proud and happy to make this donation,” said federation executive director Howard Gases.

Jeff Elbaum echoed these sentiments as he presented his check to Averbach.

“Project Tikvah is specifically for children or family members who have been victimized by terrorist actions,” Elbaum said. “We hope our donation furthers their cause. It’s not hard to give when you see the fabulous work they do. And Steve has found a way to give back to the land he loves.”

Averbach, who made aliya in 1982 at age 16, tried to thwart a suicide bomber on a Jerusalem bus in 2003. A former member of elite Israeli military and police units, Averbach was left with injuries that made him a quadriplegic. After the bus incident, the Israeli Internal Security Ministry wrote Averbach a letter thanking him for saving lives; the terrorist had planned to blow up the crowded center of Jerusalem, but thanks to Averbach detonated his bomb prematurely.

The son of Monmouth Medical Center surgeon Dr. David Averbach and nurse Maida Averbach, Steve Averbach grew up in West Long Branch, where his parents still reside.

For the past nine months, Averbach has been affiliated with Project Tikvah as a spokesperson and fund-raiser.
“This is the same type of mission I’ve been on since I sustained my injuries,” Averbach told NJ Jewish News before he addressed the audience in Deal. “I speak on behalf of victims of terror. Project Tikvah brings those who have been victims of terror back to life physically and emotionally. It also helps me to continue being a useful person and a better father to my children.”

Project Tikvah is sponsored by the Maccabi World Union in Israel. As a result, Tikvah incurs no administrative costs; all donations go directly to program operations. More than 300 children are currently part of the program, and there are more than 100 on a waiting list, according to Project Tikvah director Simone Farbstein.

The program provides such activities as baseball, sailing, and swimming.

“We believe sports are the finest way to give back self-confidence to children who have been victimized by terrorists,” said Project Tikvah chair Rocky Muravitz. “They learn to live again, despite their injuries and the mental anguish they have endured.”

And because the MWU absorbs all administrative costs, Project Tikvah can direct all its funds to its rehabilitation programs, said Eyal Tiburger, MWU’s executive director.

“Project Tikvah encourages these children to pursue their rehab attempts,” Tiburger said. “These children are Israel’s future, and Project Tikvah’s programs help them find their way back to society. They will be part of the new generation of leaders.”

Averbach’s appearance was sponsored by the Heroes Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Monmouth County, a part of the Greater Monmouth Federation.

The Heroes fund is an endowment fund created to help former residents of Monmouth County living in Israel who are victims of terror and the organizations that serve them. To donate to the Heroes Fund, call 732-531-6200.