Survivors Of Brooklyn Hanukkah House Fire Released From Hospital

Image by Nikki Casey
(JTA) — The surviving members of a Brooklyn family whose house burned down in a fire started by a Hanukkah menorah were released from the hospital.
Yossi Azan and two of his children — daughter Shalit, 16, and son Daniel, 15 — were released from a local hospital this week, the Yeshiva World News reported.
His wife, Aliza, and three other children — sons Moshe, 11 and Yitzah, 7, and a daughter, Henrietta, 3 — were killed in the blaze early on the morning of Dec. 18, 2017. Two younger boys, a son currently living with a grandfather in Israel and a cousin, escaped with minor injuries.
It is not known when the three family members who were released from the hospital will visit the graves of those who perished. They are buried in the Israeli city of Holon.
Yossi Azan is credited with saving the injured children and reportedly attempted more than once to run into the burning home to save the rest of his family.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $684,000 of a $750,000 goal to help the family, which lost everything in the fire. The funds will be used for medical expenses that will not be covered by insurance, including plastic surgery.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
