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CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn — I'm a big believer in people — generally prone to see the best and the possible instead of the worst. But even I was surprised by the depth of generosity I witnessed today.

Hershey Fellig, an orthodox Jew from Los Angeles, desperately needed a kidney. Marisa Hester, a Christian mother-of-two from Alabama, gave one to him. The two were complete strangers. Marisa had never even met a Jewish person before. She read about Hershey online and made the selfless decision to help.

Seeing The Best In Society

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn — I’m a big believer in people — generally prone to see the best and the possible instead of the worst. But even I was surprised by the depth of generosity I witnessed today.

Hershey Fellig, an orthodox Jew from Los Angeles, desperately needed a kidney. Marisa Hester, a Christian mother-of-two from Alabama, gave one to him. The two were complete strangers. Marisa had never even met a Jewish person before. She read about Hershey online and made the selfless decision to help.

Marisa told me people advised her against it. After all, she’s a mother herself. She had no obligation to this man. But she simply decided to help.

Tuesday night, Hershey attended the wedding of his only daughter. Marisa will be there as well. What a fitting conclusion — the celebration of a perfect match.

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16 Comments

  • A C.H.

    OMG!! I have the chills!!! What a moving story!! This is what the world needs…. goodness & kindness..& from WHO? M’ken zich lernen…..

  • Yehuda,

    Dude the whole world is sending me this story. they dont know that i daven near you, wow so i should be nicer to you in the future

  • impressed

    What a beautiful story! Do you have a way to contact this special lady? I would love to write her a letter and thank her.

  • eema

    Wow!! It truly restores my faith in humanity! May they both be blessed with long, healthy lives!

  • BigBen

    What a great story and a great lesson to all. Best of health to both of them.
    Marisa you’re the Mom.

  • An Organ Donor

    This is a beautiful story. I wonder though, would Hershy had given his kidney if it had been Marisa who needed it?

  • question

    This story is obviously a beautiful story. I only have one question. What does it look like to the world that a Jew did not offer this?

    I person can never ask for such a favor nor can it be expected from anyone. But it is embarresing that it had to come from a stranger when we have such a big community.

  • xx

    to organ donor: why mention the bad stuff look at the good and thats. ppl start looking for the good i everyone

  • to question :

    To “question”:
    I just have one quick question for you…
    If your so judgemental, why didnt you offer it up?
    Talk is easy isnt it?

  • Beautiful story

    To Organ donor, apparently you have given an organ to someone. I admire you for that. But Did you first find out before going through the procedure if that person would give you their organ if you needed it? And if they said no, would you still give it? Now that the real question.

  • bunia

    Old School mate:
    Mazal Tov Mazal Tov Chanie
    !!!!!!
    Me alegro tanto de escuchar!
    May Hashem always shower you with only Brochos!

  • What question?! That-s the Beauty!

    That’s the BEAUTY of this story!

    Possible, that it did not matter
    to the donor, one way or the other,
    if the recipient would reciprocate by donating to her.