Sbarros isn’t a Kosher eatery in America, but back in 2001 it was a popular Kosher eatery in the heart of Jerusalem, on the corner of King George and Jaffa streets. On the fateful date of August 9, 2001, it became the site of a horrific terrorist attack, a suicide-bombing that left 16 people dead and over 120 injured. Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
August 2026 is the 25th year anniversary of this terrible attack.
One of those killed in the Sbarros attack has a connection to UAlbany.
Shoshana Yehudit (Judy) Greenbaum was the newlywed and pregnant wife of Steven/Shmuel Greenbaum, a UAlbany alumnus. Back in his UAlbany days he put out a paper called “The Flame” and was a passionate earnest advocate for Jewish values and goodness in general. He was very actively involved in Shabbos House and Jewish campus life.
His newly married wife Shoshana and their unborn baby were killed in the Sbarros attack. Obviously their loss was devastating to Shmuel, but he remarkably channeled his grief into a positive endeavor. After a period of loneliness and pain, he began a daily email titled “Daily Dose of Kindness”, started an organization called “Partners in Kindness” and eventually became known as Mr. Kindness.
He published many of these emails and inspirational stories as a book, which you can get on Amazon, and we have a few copies at Shabbos House that students can read. The stories are inspirational, and more so, his own story is inspirational: how to channel legitimate negative feelings and responses in positive meaningful ways. Not an easy thing to do.