Local hero returns to Monmouth to speak at Jewish Center

By Jason Cohen

August 1, 2008

In Jerusalem, on May 18, 2003 a hero was born.

Steve Averbach, on his way to work for the anti-terror unit of the Israeli police, thwarted a suicide bomber's attempt to kill thousands of innocent people.  

Averbach, originally from West Long Branch, made Aliyah at the age of 16. He found a home and work immediately. He met his wife, Julie, and they had four sons: Adam, 8; Sean, 13; Devir, 15; and Tamir, 18. He served three years in the army; two in Lebanon and one year in Gaza. He then joined the anti-terrorism unit of the Israeli police where he served for 22 years.  

"It was no surprise that I came face to face with terrorism on May 18 on the No. 6 bus in 2003," Averbach said.

"I felt the need and was compelled to intervene," he recalled.    

As he got on the bus that morning he saw a suspicious looking Orthodox Jew who was clean shaven and had a bulge in his jacket. Because of his anti-terrorism training he knew this man was a suicide bomber. He had to act fast, so he drew his sidearm, and as the terrorist saw this he detonated the bomb killing seven people, injuring 20, and leaving Averbach a quadriplegic. After investigations by the police it was concluded that the bomber had originally planned to blow up a bus center in Jerusalem -- Averbach had thwarted the intended attack.    

Tikvot is an organization that assists in rehabilitating victims of terrorism through sports. It is sponsored by Maccabi World union in Israel and over 300 children are part of it.

"My greatest honor is being a part of and a spokesman for Tikvot," Averbach said. "Tikvot allows terror victims to get back into life." 

His parents are Dr. David and Maida Averbach. David is a surgeon at Monmouth medical Center and Maida is a nurse there.  

"Imagine if your son would never walk again, never move his arms again, never move his legs again, and imagine if he was a quadriplegic," Maida Averbach said. "Everyone can imagine it, but we live with it every day."

Positive events occurred in spite of a tragedy, she said.

"My son was a hero who saved people in Jerusalem, Gaza, and Lebanon, and with grief and passion Steve now focuses on a new passion," Maida said.

Israel is wonderful for him and he is wonderful for Israel, Maida said.

"Being a Golani soldier is his passion, being involved in anti-terror is his passion, and being a weapons trainer is his passion," she said.  

After the bombing happened, Averbach's parents immediately flew to Israel and went to Hadassah hospital, where Averbach was being treated.  

"When we first saw him it was very hard, he had a tracheotomy done, and he couldn't speak or move," Maida said. "So, we put up an alphabet board and we would point to a letter and we told him to wink once if he wanted to use that letter and twice if he didn't."

"About 45 minutes to an hour later, we realized that he was telling us to pull the plug, and we told him no," Maida said.

As children Averbach, Dr. Jeff Elbaum, and Ben Tadras were inseparable and were known as the "three musketeers."

Tadras has known Steve and his family for 40 years.

"When I heard what happened to Steve I was filled with anger, sadness, and great pride," Tadras said.

After everything that Averbach has been through, he still has love for life and the future, Tadras said.

"I would give every dollar I had to see Steve walk again," Elbaum said. "It is very difficult for me; you're looking at a real life hero in Steve Averbach."

Bonnie Komito, the executive director of the Marlboro Jewish Center, is a close friend of Averbach and his family.

"He is a mensch, a superstar, a dreamer, and most of all I love him," Komito said.

The most important thing today is to be part of a temple, a Jewish community, and the Jewish world, Komito said.

Rabbi Toni Shy of the Marlboro Jewish Center recently returned from Israel. She said terrorism is a serious concern and it was wonderful that Averbach was here to speak about it.

"It was unbelievably touching and moving, especially to hear his mother speak," Shy told The Jewish State after the event. "Real heroism is where someone puts their life on the line like Steve did. "But then to make his life about helping other people, it's a mitzvah, and it makes him a double hero."