Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber: A Legacy of Kidney Donation and Selfless Giving

Many words have been spoken since the passing of Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber, who left this world too soon, but perhaps none so deeply as the special supplement released by the Matnat Chaim organization during the Passover holiday. This publication shares the moving stories of recent kidney donors, which most vividly reflect the remarkable work Rabbi Haver led over the years, with the steadfast support of his wife, Rachel.

Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

The Heartfelt Stories of Kidney Donors

As some of the kidney donors shared, they did not seek to be identified; their sole purpose was to spread the message of the importance of donation, raise awareness, and encourage more people to participate. It is deeply touching to read between the lines of these stories, each documenting a unique and incredible act, where Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber’s compassionate visits to both donors and recipients are mentioned. Rabbi Haver took the time to personally visit every donor and patient after their procedures, and his wife Rachel would regularly pray by the candles on Friday evening for all those who would undergo surgery in the coming week.

In the opening of the magazine, Rabbi Haber reflected, "We debated whether to publish this issue... Many of our people, in their homes and communities, are in distress, isolated due to the pandemic, and the kidney transplant operations have come to a halt. Yet, after much thought, we realized that now, more than ever, the importance of reinforcing our strength as a people, with mutual responsibility and willingness to sacrifice for others, is clear." Just days after these words were published, Rabbi Haber himself was hospitalized in critical condition.

Chili Tropper: "I See It as a Mission, Especially as a Member of Knesset"

One of the donors whose story appears in the magazine is Chili Tropper, a member of the Knesset. Tropper shared that he had long considered donating a kidney, but he didn’t want to begin the process until his wife was comfortable. He arranged a meeting with Rabbi Haber, during which his wife raised all her concerns. Rabbi Haber calmly answered her questions and referred them to well-known nephrologists for further guidance. "After receiving answers to all her questions, my wife gave her full approval," Tropper explained, and thus he began the process.

In the early stages, Tropper preferred not to share the details of his donation. "Only our parents, children, and a few close colleagues knew about it. I wanted to go through the process quietly and confidently," he said. He later shared the news with a wider circle of family members just a few days before the donation was set to take place.

When asked how he managed to find time as a busy member of Knesset, Tropper revealed, "I told Rabbi Haber I only had six weeks until the surgery because elections were coming up. Rabbi Haber initially doubted it was possible, but I insisted. The hospital understood my urgency and arranged concentrated days of tests to speed things up." Tropper’s surgery was scheduled just one month before the elections, an ideal timing for him.

Dror Sugarman: "After Five Years – I Donated a Kidney"

Dror Sugarman, a resident of Petah Tikva, also donated a kidney, saving a life. His journey began when he first heard about the possibility of donation. "Once I realized the process was not too risky and that the donation could make such a difference, I decided immediately to do it," he shared.

However, the path to surgery was not simple. After a round of thorough tests, Dror was found to be a suitable candidate. However, the health ministry’s committee initially rejected him. "After a year of trying again, Rabbi Haber personally guided me to ensure I wasn’t being unnecessarily delayed," Dror said. "It was only after the surgery that I realized how much of a difference I had made to the recipient’s life."

Ofer Yerushalmi: "Only Rabbi Haber Managed to Calm Me Down"

A particularly dramatic story involves Ofer Yerushalmi, a high school principal from northern Israel. After months of preparation for his kidney donation surgery, he was shocked when, just before the procedure, the surgeon informed him that the operation would be canceled. "It was a moment of complete disbelief," he recalled. "The only one who managed to keep me sane and explain the situation was Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber, who immediately contacted me. He explained the medical reasons for the cancellation and even arranged for a surgery at another hospital just three days later."

Yerushalmi later realized that everything had worked out for the best. "I understood that my case was unique and required special care. The new team handled it well, and the surgery was a great success."

The Kidney Recipients: "Rabbi Haber Was Like an Angel from Heaven"

The supplement also includes the stories of kidney recipients. One such recipient, Yilak, a former dialysis patient, discovered he had kidney disease at age 28. "From that day, I was attached to a dialysis machine for nine hours every night, which completely incapacitated me," he explained. He struggled to believe that anyone would donate to him, a stranger, but when he was introduced to Matnat Chaim, he was filled with hope.

After a year of waiting, Yilak received a kidney from a donor, a young father of five. "When I asked him why he decided to donate, he simply replied, ‘I’m religious, and I believe it’s my duty to help others,’" Yilak said. "I will forever be grateful for his kindness, as well as for Rabbi Haber and Matnat Chaim."

Another recipient, Omer Zeiger, had undergone a lung transplant nine years earlier and was facing severe complications. "The doctors told me I wouldn’t survive much longer unless I found a kidney donor quickly," he shared. "When Matnat Chaim called with the news that a donor had been found, it felt like liberation. Rabbi Haber and the Matnat Chaim team gave me the gift of life."

(Illustration photo: Shutterstock)

A Legacy of Selfless Giving

The publication also shares other extraordinary stories, including those of three Israeli police officers who donated kidneys, as well as a senior prosecutor, Shlomi Abramson, who donated a kidney to a woman injured in a terror attack. The stories of two brothers, Shay and Alonatan Hod, who donated kidneys to strangers, and Yael, a mother of ten, who donated on her 40th birthday, further highlight the wide-reaching generosity of the Jewish people.

These moving stories illustrate the unity of the Jewish people, with donations crossing all societal boundaries, bringing people together to save lives. Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber, who personally accompanied each donor and recipient throughout the process, worked tirelessly without any financial compensation, fulfilling his life's mission of saving lives.

As the supplement concludes, it is clear that Rabbi Haber’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those he helped and in the continued work of the Matnat Chaim organization, which has facilitated over 800 kidney transplants. His dedication, compassion, and the unity he inspired will never be forgotten.

May his memory be a blessing.