Yeshiva grad survives bridge collapse

A former yeshiva student survived after his car plunged into the Mississippi River when a Minneapolis bridge collapsed.

Roman Koyrakh, a 20-year-old college student, was on the I-35W Bridge at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 when it collapsed. His airbag was activated, but his car hit the river and started filling with water. Fearing the end, he said the Sh’ma, but managed to free himself from his seatbelt and open the car door. He made it to dry ground and was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. Koyrakh credited God with his good fortune, saying, “HaShem saved me. There’s no other explanation” for such miracles.

Area Jews gave thanks for the survival of the student and continued to offer aid and solace to victims of the collapse. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas issued a statement on its Web site saying, “The JCRC stands ready to assist the community in any way needed.” The site has been updated with information for those seeking ways to help the victims. — jta

Chelsea Clinton learning about Judaism

Chelsea Clinton reportedly attended a Shabbat dinner in the hopes of learning more about Judaism.

Clinton is dating Marc Mezvinsky, the Jewish son of two former members of Congress. According to a story in the New York Times, Clinton visited the parents of a Jewish friend in an effort to learn more about Mezvinsky’s faith. Clinton and Mezvinsky, a banker with the New York firm Goldman Sachs, have known each other since they were teenagers and are both graduates of Stanford.— jta

$1 million to go to Jewish museum