Philly plane crash: Girl is gifted violin after hers was destroyed in plane crash
CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Out of tragedy, comes light, support and a blessing of music for a young girl as a South Jersey Jewish community steps in to help a family across the Delaware River.
The organization helps kids with musical talent, but limited means, get lessons or an instrument.
What we know:
Like everyone else, Cantor Scott Borsky heard the news that a Learjet crashed in Northeast Philly and, amid the tragic loss of life and property, he learned a young child lost her home and her violin.
Timeline:
He made a few calls and posted on social media. He explained what happened next, saying "Within 30 seconds, I’m looking at the post and I see responses. ‘I have a violin,’ and ‘I have a violin.’"
Then, a former member of his synagogue called. He recalled the conversation, "And said, ‘Hi I have a violin,’ and I said I will graciously transfer this wonderful violin to a wonderful young girl."
The other side:
Helena Tobin was eager to help when she knew where her daughter’s grade school violin would end up.
She said, "It really made me happy to give back in some way. I’ve known Cantor Borsky from years back and I knew he would make sure it got into the right hands."
What's next:
Hours later, Cantor Borsky was handing the violin off to Kelly Finno, a violinist herself, with the Roxborough Orchestra. She was part of the team facilitating the transfer of the violin from South Jersey to 8-year-old Alaya, whose family is staying at a Red Cross shelter.
Finno said, "To me, it’s a little thing, but for her, it’s such a light in dark times. It’s really special for us to be able to give it to her."
Cantor Borsky also has offers for orchestra tickets, 76ers tickets and gift cards for Alaya’s family.