Update: Born with a hole in his heart

In April, the Chronicle told you the story of the baby born with a hole in his heart, mentioning that the family could use a car.

Avi Slutzkin was taking their one car to work as a specialty food manager at Metro Market in Mequon. His wife Gabrielle stays home with their two children, including Ephraim, who turns 2 on June 22. Ephraim was born with a damaged heart, limited vision and other challenges. He feeds through a tube that’s connected to a device and Gabrielle needs to take him to many medical appointments.

So they needed a car. But they didn’t just get offered one car after the article came out. They got offered two.

Soon after Rabbi Michel Twerski saw the Chronicle story, he gave the Slutzkins his car. It’s a 1997 Mazda Millenia with 89,000 miles. Twerski is the leader of the west side Jewish community that has helped the Slutzkins greatly before, Avi Slutzkin said.

Jackie Laber, a frequent shopper at Metro Market, offered the family a free 2001 Saturn within a few days of when the article came out, Slutzkin said.

Slutzkin is grateful for the assistance and for an outpouring of positive attention the family has received.

As for Ephraim, he’s been getting more mobile and more vocal. The Slutzkins have learned that “mah” means “more.”