For businessman Steven Odzer, his family is the most important thing. As far as his immediate family, he has seven children and nine grandchildren. He claims his nine grandchildren keep him on his toes, and they also keep him young. Aside from his large immediate family, he also has many family members in Israel. It saddens the family a great deal to have to remember and honor Nachshon Mordechal Wachsman, Steven's Cousin, on the 25th anniversary of his kidnapping and subsequent death.
Steven Odzer opens up to what he felt when he received the news that Palestinian captors had kidnapped his cousin. Although the entire family had been praying for a safe release from the kidnappers, things didn't go as planned during the rescue mission. "We had asked Hashem for Nachshon's safe release from his captors," Steven said. When Steven Odzer heard his cousin had been killed, his first reaction was to say a blessing, "Baruch Dayan Ha-emes." This is a traditional blessing recited when one hears news of a death; it means "Blessed is the True Judge".
On the day he received the tragic news that left its mark on the entire family forever, Steven Odzer had made a stop in Borough Park, Brooklyn, to ask a rabbi for a blessing for his cousin Nachshon before going to meet his other relatives for Shabbat.
To honor his departed cousin, Steven Odzer, his wife, Shani, and four hundred other members of the community gathered. Among those who gathered, the list included visiting family and local politicians. The service took place at the renovated Synagogue, Congregation Bais Tefilah.
During the service, the attendees were blessed with great weather. "God has blessed this day," said Thomas Gulotta, a Nassau County Executive. Other attendees agreed that God had blessed the occasion.
During the ceremony, Rabbi Shaya Richmond referred to Nachshon as a "holy martyr." He also gave the family comfort when he said, "The martyrs of Israel enjoy an exalted position in heaven." Other speakers also said thoughtful words under the American and Israeli flags. To honor Nachshon and those who have lost their lives for Israel, a plaque was unveiled, and it read, "In life, he protected his country. In death, he united his people."
Despite the fact that this was a terrible loss for Steven Odzer and his family, they will continue to honor the life of Nachshon forever. Steven Odzer is also passionate about making a difference in the lives of Jewish people. He supports a myriad of Jewish and non-Jewish causes.

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.