Steven Odzer Talks About His Support to Non-Profit Dedicated to Helping Immigrants From Russia
Steven Odzer and his family are large supporters of Bris Avrohom, a large New Jersey non-profit that helps Jewish immigrants from Russia to the United States. There’s a reason why this cause is so close to his heart; Steven says, “I have many family members living in Israel and I am a large supporter of both Jewish and non-Jewish causes.”
The excellent work Bris Avrohom does for Russian Jewish Immigrants is what attracted Steven Odzer to this organization. Ever since its foundation in 1979, Bris Avrohom has been making a difference in the lives of Russian immigrants. For supporters of the organization like Steven Odzer, it’s important to help these new members of the community find a home, jobs, and continue to improve their spiritual education. Because Bris Avrohom wants to keep the traditions of the community alive, they also perform bris or bar Mitzvah and Jewish Weddings.
Bris Avrohom, a name chosen by Lubavitcher Rebbe, means “The Covenant of Abraham.” Since its establishment 40 years ago, Bris Avrohon has helped over 28,000 people and integrate them into the community. The traditions Bris Avrohon fosters go back about 3,300 years, which is why it’s so important to keep them alive. They continue to keep their traditions alive by enhancing the education of those who seek it whether they’re young and old.
Although the Bris Avrohom headquarters are in Hillside, NJ, they have expanded to other locations. Those interested can also visit their Jersey City and Fair Lawn or Brooklyn. Because of the great role they play integrating Russian Jewish Immigrants into the community, Steven Odzer is proud to support Bris Avrohom.
Steven Odzer is the CEO of YBT Industries of Henderson, NV, a promising distribution business. Although his new company is a fresh face in the business, Steven Odzer started his entrepreneurial ventures early on. After attending Yeshiva of Flatbush High School and then to the Brooklyn College Scholars program, he got his start. “I started my first company at age 18 out of my parents’ basement. I was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 in the area of distribution,” he says.
Aside from his distribution business, Steven Odzer has plenty of activities in his life to keep him busy. When he’s not rooting for the New York Yankees or flying to Nevada to see the Golden Knights, he’s busy playing with his eight grandkids
Steven Odzer of YBT Industries Supports New York’s AHRC, for the Sake of Disabled People and Children in Need
Among the many worthy causes that YBT Industries CEO Steven Odzer donates his time, effort and money to, New York’s AHRC has special significance because AHRC, a New York non-profit, focuses on serving people and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Steve Odzer is now looking to continue his support of people with disabilities in Nevada.
Steven Odzer is aware of the difficulties people – and especially children – may encounter due to prejudice, poverty and political circumstances beyond their control. An intellectual or developmental disability only exacerbates the discrimination for the most vulnerable.
A Jewish man who grew up in New York but who still has strong ties to Israel, where many of his family members still reside, Steven Odzer knows about the tough experiences of his ancestors and relatives. Odzer’s concern for the disadvantaged in his hometown of New York City prompted his interest in AHRC, and now continues in Arizona and Nevada.
AHRC Has a Mission to Improve Lives
A New York mother, Anne Greenberg, who sought help in caring for her mentally disabled five-year-old girl in 19048, is attributed as being the catalyst behind initiating what became the AHRC when she sought help for her dilemma by placing a two-line classified ad in a newspaper more than seven decades ago.
In those days, intellectually or developmentally disabled children were treated as outcasts – and often institutionalized. Medical advancements to treat their unique issues were still on the horizon. But a groundswell of support quickly gained critical mass and AHRC was able to define its mission of improving lives – not only sustaining AHRC’s impetus, but expanding its profile.
After a modest and uncertain start more than 70 years ago, AHRC has blossomed from its humble beginnings into a network of nearly two dozen centers throughout the metropolitan New York area, offering multiple services to not only children but most anyone with learning, cognitive, mental or physical disabilities.
Today, AHRC coordinates and organizes programs in New York area schools, colleges, businesses and camps; and provides support for adult day services, family and clinical services and home care and residential assistance for families and communities, including at-home help, job (“Get Work”) assistance and educational initiatives (“Go to School” program).
The mission of AHRC intersects with the goals of YBT Industries CEO Steven Odzer. “We promote and support agencies that hire people with disabilities,” Odzer said. He also supports other charities and philanthropic organizations that assist disadvantaged people, including Bris Avrohom, a large non-profit founded in 1979 that helps Jewish immigrants from Russia adjust to life in the U.S.
To learn more about AHRC, go to ahrcny.org.
About YTB Industries and Steve Odzer
YBT Industries CEO Steven Odzer has more than 30 years in the distribution business. YBT Industries, based in Henderson, NV, is Steven Odzer’s newest company in the distribution business, and he applies the principles and lessons he has learned from three decades as a distributor to his new business.
On the 25th Anniversary of the Kidnapping and Murder of His Cousin, Steven Odzer Remembers and Honors Nachshon Wachsman
Sadden by the memory of his cousin, Nachston Wachsman, as the 25th anniversary of the kidnapping and murder just past, Steven Odzer, wants to honor his memory. For Steven Odzer, family is one of the most important things in life. “I have 7 kids and 8 grandkids,” he says. Despite having a large immediate family, Steven Odzer is also quite close to his extended family. “I have a lot of family in Israel.” On October 14, Steven and his family will gather in honor of Nachshon Mordechal Wachsman.
As a dual citizen of Israel in the United States, Nachson Wachsman grew up in Jerusalem with his seven brothers. His father was Israeli-born while his mother immigrated to Brooklyn from her native Germany. Sargeant Nachshon Wachsman served as an IDF soldier for the military.
At the age of 19, while has was on leave, the military instructed him to attend a one-day training in northern Israel. Nachshon Wachsman followed the instructions and left on Saturday night for his training. His family would expect him back on Sunday night, October 9, 1994.
After he completed the training, Nachson began his journey back to Jerusalem were his family expected him. As a common practice by many Israeli Soldiers, Nachshon Wachsman attempted to either hitchhike or catch a bus at the Bnai Atarot junction. Unfortunately, he never made it back home. According to Israeli Intelligence, Hamas militants kidnapped him as he attempted to catch a ride. Witnesses spotted Nachson entering a car with four men who wore kippahs, as to not raise suspicion. It was also reported the kidnappers had a Tanakh, siddur, and played Chassidic music.
Once Nachshon Wachsman boarded the vehicle, the four men overpowered him and drove off to the Palestinian town of Bir Nabala. Bir Nabala is only six miles northwest of Jerusalem. On October 11, 1994, two days after the kidnapping, the Hammas militants responsible for the kidnapping released a video. In the video, the militants identified the kidnapped man as Nachshon Wachsman by reading out loud his identity number and his home address.
The kidnappers also forced Nachshon so say, “The group from Hamas kidnapped me. They are demanding the release of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and another 200 from Israeli prison. If their demands are not met, they will execute me on Friday at 8 P.M.”
Nachshon’s parents appealed to world leaders to aid with the rescue of their son including, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, President Bill Clinton, and other Muslim religious leaders. The Israeli military was able to capture the driver of the car that kidnapped Nachshon Wachsman and question him about his location. When the military learned the exact location, they orchestrated a rescue mission.
Unfortunately, the rescue mission did not go as planned. The rescue operation due to faulty explosives and other technical difficulties failed. The Israeli military lost the element of surprise with the kidnappers. Wachsman was behind a solid steel door, which the explosives couldn’t open. The failed explosion resulted in a heavy open fire. When they finally made it to the chamber, they discover Nachshon Wachsman had been shot by his kidnappers.
This was a very painful loss in the lives of Steven Odzer and his entire extended family. The entire family will continue to honor the memory of Nachshon Wachsman forever.
Distribution Executive Steven Odzer Balances His Growing Business, YBT Industries, with Family and Sports
With more than 30 years in the distribution business, Steven Odzer now serves as CEO of YBT Industries of Henderson, NV, a relatively new face on the distribution business landscape.
Steven Odzer recalls his early education and entrepreneurship this way: “I went to Yeshiva of Flatbush High School and then to the Brooklyn College Scholars program,” he says. “I started my first company at age 18 out of my parents’ basement. I was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 in the area of distribution.”
YBT Industries
Although YBT is a new company, Steven Odzer applies the principles and lessons he has learned from three decades as a distributor. As YBT expands its business profile, Odzer anticipates exciting upcoming announcements about his new company’s growth.
Steven Odzer’s strong work ethic keeps him focused. Instead of aiming for retirement, he’s striving for the next big thing. YBT Industries holds that potential, he believes. But family, sports and political interests also keep him very busy.
Family Ties
Steven Odzer has already enjoyed a rich life. “I have seven kids and eight grandkids,” he says with a smile. “I also have many family members living in Israel and I am a large supporter of both Jewish and non-Jewish causes.” Odzer also stresses that he is “solid advocate of strong Arab-Jewish business cooperation.”
Odzer’s children, and even more so his grandchildren, keep him fit and on his toes, he says.
Yankees and Golden Knights
As a New York City area resident, Steven Odzer has always been a big fan of the New York Yankees baseball team, a club that has provided its fans with far more World Series championships than any other Major League Baseball organization. The Yankees are headed to the playoffs again in 2019.
But in recent years, Odzer has spent some of his time more than 2,500 miles away from New York, in Henderson, Nevada. While there, he fell in love with the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. The Knights were the first expansion team in the top tier of any major American sport to reach the championship round of the playoffs in their very first season, 2017-2018.
Steven Odzer believes in giving everyone a chance.
“We promote and support agencies that hire people with disabilities,” he says. “And we are a large supporter of Bris Avrohom, a large non-profit founded in 1979 that helps Jewish immigrants from Russia adjust to life in the U.S.”
Another worthy organization that Steven Odzer has affection for is the AHRC Foundation, which provides financial assistance and support services for the benefit of individuals, especially children, who suffer from intellectual or other developmental disabilities.