Israeli Man Donates Kidney to Stranger, Cites 'Humanity' Over Religion
Tzvi Rosenberg, a 44-year-old farmer from the Golan Heights, recently donated a kidney to a Christian woman from Shfaram whom he had never met. The altruistic donation, which took place five months ago, was motivated by a desire to save a life, with Rosenberg stating, "A person is a person." The recipient had been suffering from a genetic illness that had claimed her mother and sister, and she had been awaiting a transplant for three years, enduring debilitating dialysis treatments.
Rosenberg underwent a five-hour surgery and experienced a swift recovery, managing to descend three flights of stairs the day after the procedure. He met the recipient briefly after the surgery. He explained that his decision was influenced by his upbringing in a religious community in Jerusalem, where organ donation is seen as a significant act, but he believes it should transcend religious and ethnic divides. He had initially postponed the surgery to complete a three-month reserve duty in Lebanon.
Rosenberg connected with the "Matnat Chaim" (Gift of Life) organization a year and a half prior to the donation. The organization facilitated medical and psychological evaluations, matched him with the recipient, and coordinated the transplant at Sheba Medical Center. He noted that his sister, independently and without coordination, also donated a kidney to a non-Jewish woman from Jerusalem within three months of his own donation.
"Matnat Chaim," founded in 2009 by Rabbi Isaiah Heber, has facilitated over 2,000 altruistic kidney donations in Israel, with more than 900 patients currently on the waiting list for transplants. The organization aims to broaden its donor base across all sectors of society. Donors receive no financial compensation, and Israel ranks high globally in altruistic kidney donation rates relative to its population. Rosenberg views his donation as a life highlight, emphasizing the profound impact of saving a life without significant disruption to one's own life.
