When the opportunity arose for Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Ephraim Simon to potentially risk his life in the preservation of another’s, he paused. He wanted to give one of his kidneys to a suffering man; the problem was that he had to think about how he would communicate that decision to his nine children.
Community Learns About Sacrifice When Rabbi Gives Gift of Life
When the opportunity arose for Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Ephraim Simon to potentially risk his life in the preservation of another’s, he paused. He wanted to give one of his kidneys to a suffering man; the problem was that he had to think about how he would communicate that decision to his nine children.
So in July, Simon, co-director of Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County in Teaneck, N.J., gathered his family around him.
“As emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe,” he told them, referring to Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, “we dedicate our lives to helping other people.”
He went on to describe the terminally-ill man he had met earlier, a father of a large family just like theirs.
“By tatte giving him a new kidney, he will live, G-d willing. This is our gift to him and you are all a part of it.”
Waiting for News
Simon’s journey from community leader to organ donor – the operation took place exactly one week ago – began last year when the 41-year-old rabbi opened a mass e-mail from a woman trying to arrange a kidney donation for a potential recipient. A 12-year-old Jewish girl with the same blood type as Simon’s was succumbing to a terrible disease, and desperately needed a new kidney. The rabbi decided to respond.
“I have a 12-year-old daughter, too,” explains Simon from his home, where he’s in the midst of a two-week recovery period. Having never considered donating an organ in the past, “I was moved to consider testing for her.”
“Let’s see what it entails, and then make a decision,” came the reply from his wife, Nechamy Simon, when he brought it up.
After a few days of intense research online, and a careful risk-benefit analysis together, the Simons reached out to the sender of the e-mail, a Jewish woman by the name of Chaya Lipschutz, offering one of the rabbi’s kidneys if he matched as a candidate.
“I cannot let a young girl die, and not do anything,” Simon told Lipschutz.
But the woman informed him that “a donor has already been found.”
Many people would have understandably felt relief at the realization that they wouldn’t be called upon to undergo major surgery. Simon, however, saw things differently.
“I felt like I didn’t act fast enough,” he recalls. “I knew right then and there that if somebody else was in need, I was going to be the one to save their life.”
According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, more than 80,000 people nationwide are waiting for a healthy kidney. But last year, more than 4,500 lost their fight for life while waiting.
Simon told Lipschutz, a former kidney donor herself, to keep his name on file and to contact him if another person was in need.
Two months later, the woman called back with news that a 35-year-old mother of two needed a kidney. Simon immediately agreed to undergo tests at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y., where the woman was being treated. He wasn’t a match.
Then in February, Lipschutz called yet again to ask Simon if he would give his kidney to a single Israeli man in his 30s.
“It wasn’t for a young girl, or for a mother of two,” says Simon, “but one cannot weigh one life over another.”
The rabbi underwent his third series of tests at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. In the weeks that followed, Lipschutz informed him that should he not be a match for the Israeli man, another person on her list was in dire need of a kidney.
As it turned out, Simon was not a match, but he immediately went to another hospital to undergo tests for the other man, a Satmar Chasid from the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn and a father of 10.
A Meeting of Two Souls
At the kidney clinic of Cornell University, as the rabbi was on his way to have his blood tested, the critically ill man came down the hallway, heading in the opposite direction.
“Excuse me,” said the man, who had heard that a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary had volunteered to donate his kidney. “Are you the one testing for me?”
The two chatted briefly. The man showed Simon pictures of his family and told him a little about the genetic disease that had killed several of his relatives and was destroying his kidneys. Simon assured him that if was a match, he would go through with the procedure.
A few hours before Passover, both men got the news they had been waiting for. Simon was busy preparing for the communal Seder at his Chabad House when the hospital called.
“Rabbi,” a voice on the other line began, “you are a match.”
inspired
wow amazing to see true ahavas yisroel. He is a shliach who is constantly doing things for others…and this only emphesizes that he is a real shliach giving nachas to the rebbe.
WOW
AMAZING WORK!!!!!!!!!!!! we should all strive to have such ahavas yisroel!!
touched
beautiful story!
hopefully we can all do our part and reach out to help others in the ways we can afford to!
thank u rabbi simon for being a true example.
kesiva vechasima tova!
unbelievable
Wow, I am moved to tears. Now I must be moved to action. What an example
MVH
Yasher koach Efrayim for doing something I would never have the guts to do.
BS D
Wow amazing story really inspiring!
I wish i could have done something so spacial like that
Fellow Donor
I am inspired by Rabbi Simon, My husband has my kidney for 2.5 years and all I can say is B’H. Rabbi Simon will have continued Nachas from his donation – and will share with the recepient all the nachas that he will iy’h have because his life has been extended.
sf
gorgeous story,
gorgeous family :)
all the best.
You are a true inspiration.
green
this article brought tears to my eyes – Rabbis Simon is an inspiration. may he have much health and nachas from his entire family!
this made me cry
i hope you have continued nachat from your children. you are a very special person. God Bless
chaim
According to halacha can one risk your own life for somebody else?
Fellow Donor
Each potential donor would need to ask his own Rav. Before our transplant, we asked a our Rav, and got the go ahead.
Milhouse
Chaim, yes, one may. There is no question at all.
A Proud Family Member
In this merit, Hashem should bless you with Parnasa, Nachas and Gezunt for you and the whole family!
wow
Such a kidush lubavitz
EHS
To “chaim”:
“According to halacha can one risk your own life for somebody else?”
A. actually Rabbi simon gave an amazins shiur to the people in Teaneck N.J. about this subject and other questions in medical halacha, on ‘leil shovuos’.
Chaya Lipschutz
Hi – I am Rabbi Simon’s kidney matchmaker. What can I say about Rabbi Simon? He is awesome. Gevaldig
I have made other kidney matches, but I am telling you, this was certainly one of the easiest. Rabbi Simon was so excited about donating a kidney. He made up his mind that he was doing the right thing, and that’s it. What’s the question? He kept thanking me for making this match. Imagine, he was the one dontaing a kidney and so happy that I matched him up that he kept thanking me every now and then. Unbelievable.
When Rabbi Simon first contacted me he saw a posting I had for someone who needed a kidney. He ended up being a back-up for that person who needed a kidney. In the meantime, at times, when he saw other postings I had for others who needed a kidney, he said to me, what about me? He wanted to save the world!
And his lovely wife here deserves tremendous credit for allowing her husband to do this great mitzvah. She is a partner in this match.
I donated a kidney to a stranger in September 2005. After donating a kidney, I felt I wanted to do more, so I now have a project to help others in need of a kidney. My brother donated a kidney as well- to someone on my list of people in need of a kidney. I don’t get paid for this and don’t charge a fee. And if someone wants to donate a kidney – they have to do so altruistically.
People are dying every day waiting for a kidney. I have people on my list who died. And I have others who are on dialysis who got sicker and are no longer eligible for a kidney transplant, thus they are being sentanced to dialysis for the rest of their life. Only about 20% of those on dialysis survive more than 10 years on dialysis. I recently heard of a 50 year old person who was only about 9 months on dialysis, passed away. Most people can live at least a few years, but others become sicker.
Please, I beg of you – if you haven’t already donated a kidney, and you are in good health, please consider! You are so badly needed. About 80,000 people are in need of a kidney and thousands of people die each year waiting for a kidney.
Hospitalization for kidney donation is 1-2 days (depending on the hospital) Most of the surgery is done laproscopic.
I am in touch with many people who have donated a kidney, from Boro Park, Flatbush, Williamsburg, Monroe, Monsey and Lakewood. all are doing great, no one has regrets, and some of us wish we can do it again! Many of the donors I know who have donated a kidney are Satmars, by the way. There are probably Lubavtichers out there who have donated a kidney, but so far the only one that I personally know of is Rabbi Simon. But I do know of someone in Crown Heights who has a son who is supposed to be donating a kidney to him.
I have had some Lubavitchers in the past who have contacted me about kidney donation – seeing fliers I had posted in Crown Heights – but nothing came of it. Happens a lot in general – not just in Crown Heights – but many inquires but most don’t end up donating a kidney. It gets so distressing. Especially when I have some people who need a kidney so urgently.
Rabbi Simon – I hope more people will be inspired by your kidney donation!
Please – contact me about donating a kidney You are so desperately needed!!!
Sincerely,
Chaya Lipschutz
KidneyMitzvah.com
P.S. A Satmar also, by the way recently donated a kidney to a Lubavitcher.
Chaya Lipschutz
There are many people out there who desperately need a kidney including a 37 year old woman, not frum who’s one of the people on my list who needs a kidney
She is on dialysis for 12 years and has a 2 year old and 4 year old
If someone donates a kidney to her – not only can you save her life, but maybe her neshama as well!!!
Please help save her life!
Also – a 35 year old man contacted me that he desperately needs a kidney. He is on dialysis, also for so many years. He is from Israel and came to the USA to find someone to donate a kidney to him – and still doesn’t have anyone who is a match.
He wants to get a kidney so he can go back to Israel, get married, and learn more Torah!
PLEASE HELP SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE!!!!
Sincerely,
Chaya Lipschutz
E-mail: KidneyMitzvah@aol.com
Website: KidneyMitvah.com
Chaya Lipschutz
From: Rabbi Simon’s kidney matchmaker.
I am not Lubavtich by the way. I call myeelf regular, Orthodox.
I do have Lubavitch connections though.
First – my favorite vacation spot – Bais Chana in Minnesota! I have been there many times. If you go to my website, you will see the article, under “About Chaya Lipschutz”, tab, “Kidney Donor Encourages Once In a Lifetime Mitzvah” This article was written in American Jewish World, a weekly Jewish newspaper in Minnesota. It talks about my being at Bais Chana and I mentioned about Rabbi Manis Friedman
I did live in Crown Heights for 4 years.
I have sometimes sought the Rebbe’s advice. And let me tell you, he gave me great advice. One advice in particular he once gave me, benefitted me tremendously. If there is one person I miss most in my life, it is the Lubavitcher Rebbe! yes, I have been to the Rebbe for dollars and it was a great experience!
So much for my Lubavitch connection! Even though I have never considered myself a Lubavitcher, I always admired the great work done by Lubavitch.
By the way – I would be happy to speak for free at anywhere. Please keep that in mind!
Kol tuv,
Chaya Lipschutz
E-mail: KidneyMitzvah@aol.com
Website: KidneyMitzvah.com
Chaya Lipschutz
What doctors have to say about kidney donation:
“Just think people have no problem having only one kidney, so we have to ask, why did Hashem give us two kidneys? Perhaps it is so you would have an extra one to donate and save a life!
– Dr. Stuart Greenstein, Shomer Shabbos Kidney Transplant Surgeon, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
”We are born with approximately 4-5 times the kidney function that we need, to be healthy and stay off of dialyisis- to not have kidney failure. So by donating one of your kidneys,you are still left with with 2-3 times the amount of kidney function that you need to be healthy and lead a normal life“
– Dr. Joseph Del Pizzo. Assistant Professor of Urology, Director, Laproscopic Surgery, New York – Presbytarian Hospital – Weill Corneil Medical Center, New York, NY. \
Kidney donation is a relatively safe operation, and many donors will never feel the loss of their second kidney. It’s the most expendable of organs. So giving up a kidney causes no disadvantage to your long-term health. In fact, studies have shown, that kidney donors actually live longer than the general population – because donors come from a pool of people in good health”
– Dr. Michael Edye, Adjunct Associate Professor of surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY.
Very Safe Operation“
– Dr. Jay Levine, General Surgeon, St., Mary’s Health Care, West Michigan, MI
”There’s a lot of misconceptions about kidney donation and a lot of fear. But if people take the time to get the facts, they find out the risks are very minimal. People are born with two kidneys. You only need one.”
– Michelle Winsor, Kidney Transplant Coordinator, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA
Chaya Lipschutz
Quotes by people who have donated a kidney:
“Donating a kidney to a woman I had never met was the greatest experience of my life. To give for the pure sake of giving brings the deepest joy imaginable. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity that changed my life in every way” – Lori Palatnik – Maryland – donated kidney to a stranger (Lori is with the organization Aish. I had made her kidney match.
“I think this is the right thing to do. I don’t think anyone should fear it . They wouldn’t allow you to do this if you weren’t healthy enough’ – Larry Seidman, New Jersey – donated a kidney to a stranger
”Giving a kidney was one of the highlights of my life. I learned so much about myself in such a short time. Rarely do we see the fruit of our labor so quickly, yet I helped save another persons life and improved the quality of their life immediately – Rabbi Steve Moskowitz, Long Island – donated a kidney to a stranger
“The reason why G-d gave me two kidneys, was so that I could donate one” – Mordechai Hursarsky, New York – donated a kidney to his father-in-law.
”As a result of my kidney donation, I feel richer than Donald Trump and Donald Trump combined!” – David Koster, New York, donated a kidney to a stranger.
ME
“Kidney donation was the greatest experience of my life. If I can do it again, I would do it again tomorrow” – Chaya Lipschutz (myself), .New York – donated a kidney to a stranger
Chaya Lipschutz
I have been contacted by people in need of a kidney not just in the USA, but my list of people in desperate need of a kidney include people in Israel, Canada, Australia and England.
I can’t help most of the people who need a kidney- because there aren’t many people like Rabbi Simon around willing to do this great mitzvah!
Please – I am in touch with many other kidney donors who feel so positive about their kidney donation, like Rabbi Simon.
Please contact me ASAP about testing for someone who desperately needs a kidney. Thanks!
Tizku L’mitzvos.
Kol Tuv,
Chaya Lipschutz
E-mail: KidneyMitzvah@aol.com
Website: KidneyMitzvah.com
counselor
Very inspiring!!!! We are proud of shluchim like you rabbi Simon!
RaMaS
TO: Chaim
The risk in this surgery is no greater than in any other surgery requiring general anesthesia.
The reward is saving a human life, and that out-weighs the risk.
Therefore all modern day poskim hold that it is a wonderful thing to do.
MMJACOBS
a GROISA mitzva
Sendel Mimon
I completely agree with MMJACOBS.
It is a wonderful mitzvah, and a very special thing to do.