Spurred by Son’s Memory, Jewish Florida Mom Aims to Prevent Hot Car Deaths

Three years after losing her son in an accidental hot car death, a Florida woman has become a driving force behind a campaign that encourages parents to be mindful when they park, and to use available technology to prevent future tragedies.

Miami Gardens resident Nechama Tauber appreciated the many efforts that were made in her community to ensure that no child would be left behind in a car after her son Sholom’s passing in July 2022. Sholom’s school, Lubavitch Education Center, began sending security guards out into the parking lot daily to check every car for a forgotten child, and emailing parents of their children’s absence 45 minutes after the start of the day to make sure that all students were accounted for.

But when Rabbi Zvi Boyarsky of the Aleph Institute asked Tauber to become part of an organization he was founding called Team Protect last summer, she found a vehicle to turn her pain into purpose. Team Protect was founded in Sholom’s memory, raising awareness and harnessing existing devices to prevent accidents from becoming tragedies.

After researching the many items on the market designed to remind parents about their precious backseat cargo, Team Protect placed an order for 18,000 units of a device called Clever Elly. The technology is simple – Clever Elly plugs into a vehicle’s 12 volt outlet, and even functions as a phone charger. When the vehicle’s engine is turned off, Clever Elly issues a verbal reminder to check the backseat.

“We did a custom run, with 12,000 units in English and 6,000 in Hebrew,” Tauber told VIN News. “We had Avraham Fried, Uncle Moishy, and a few kids recording the messages. It is important to have several messages instead of just one, so that people don’t tune out when they hear the same thing every time.”

Team Protect has Clever Elly’s available on its website www.59seconds.org for a suggested $18 donation, as well as USB-C adapters available for vehicles that don’t have a standard 12 volt port. Devices will also be sent out for donations of any amount, even for free, for people who are unable to make an $18 donation. Team Protect’s website also accepts donations for Clever Elly sponsorships, to ensure that anyone who needs a device can get one.

Hundreds of Clever Ellys have been given out for free in recent weeks at event in places including Lakewood and Monsey, to promote what Team Protect describes as “parking with presence.” More than two dozen community safety groups are partnering with Team Protect in its efforts to ensure that parents remain vigilant when leaving their cars.

“We’re always on high alert when we’re driving,” said Tauber. “We stay focused. We don’t text. And then when we get to our destination, we relax, we go on our phone. We all need that reminder – we’re not off duty until we check that back seat.”

Knowing how many people are installing Clever Ellys in their car is a tremendous source of support to Tauber.

“It truly is amazing that so many families now have a reminder in their car to check the back seat,” noted Tauber. “We may never know the exact number of lives saved, but it’s clear that this initiative is spreading awareness and making a significant impact.”