Englewood cancer victim gives back to community

A photograph by Ken Youner

Cong. Ahavath Torah in Englewood will host “A Discerning Eye and a Giving Heart: When Photography and Kindness Meet,” an exhibition of photography by congregant Dr. Kenneth D. Youner. There will be a reception on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the shul.

At 2:30, Youner will share the inspiration for his photographs, followed by words from his children and Rabbi Shmuel Goldin.

According to Youner, “On Oct. 2, 2010, my life as I knew it ended. During a training ride for the second annual Spokes for Hope bike ride to raise money for the Cecile and Ken Youner Fund for Cancer Research, I suffered a severe central spinal cord injury. Between then and now, a paradigm shift in my life occurred.”

His passionate interest in cancer awareness came after losing his first and second wives to the disease and to his own battle with kidney cancer, and he turned to photography as a way to help cope with the tragedy in his life.

To “give back” to the community of Englewood, where he was helped this past year by hundreds of volunteers who brought him home-cooked meals, he has put together, with Goldin’s help, the exhibit of his photographs. His works and a coffee table book will be sold, with proceeds going to Goldin’s discretionary fund at the shul. Light refreshments will be served. Call (201) 568-1315.