Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Heber (of blessed memory) (1965–2020) was a man of loving-kindness and an inspiring leader, who dedicated his life to saving patients in need of a kidney transplant. His path led to a revolution in the field of kidney donations in Israel, leaving a profound mark on the lives of thousands of people.
In 2007, following a sudden kidney disease, Rabbi Heber required dialysis treatments. During those difficult days, he met a young man named Pinchas Turgeman, a son of a family that had lost its eldest son during his military service, who also suffered from end-stage kidney disease. Both went through the same grueling path of prolonged treatments, but while Rabbi Heber was saved after receiving a kidney donation from a friend, Pinchas did not receive a transplant and passed away. This shocking encounter was engraved in Rabbi Heber’s heart, as he realized the magnitude of the distress and the urgent need for a system that would allow more patients to find a donor and be saved in time.
Thus, in 2009, the Matanat Chaim organization was born, setting one goal for itself: to encourage altruistic kidney donation and to accompany the donors and recipients throughout the entire process. Rabbi Heber, together with his wife Rabbanit Rachel Heber, turned the organization into a central force in the field of kidney transplants in Israel. What started as a small, modest initiative has grown over the years into a tremendous life’s work, changing the Israeli society’s mindset regarding organ donation.
The scope of Matanat Chaim’s activity is highly impressive. As of today, thanks to its activity, over 2000 Israelis have received a kidney transplant, completely changing their lives. Rabbi Heber’s impact extended beyond the community’s borders – thanks to him, the State of Israel has become a global leader in the field of live altruistic kidney donations.
Rabbi Heber did not see the organization merely as a mediating body between donors and patients, but rather as a spiritual and social mission, rooted in the values of giving and loving-kindness. He believed that every person can choose to give of themselves, without compensation, and become an anchor of life for another person. In his eyes, a kidney donation was not just an act of saving a life – it was a clear expression of mutual responsibility and the strength of Israeli society.
For his extraordinary work, Rabbi Heber received much recognition. In 2014 he was awarded the President’s Award for Volunteerism, and in 2016 he received the Minister of Health’s Shield for Outstanding Volunteers. But more than any title or prize, the most meaningful recognition in his eyes was the lives saved, the families restored, and the wide circles of people who joined the revolution of giving he led.
In March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rabbi Heber continued to work for kidney patients, despite the high risk involved. He saw his work as an unconditional mission. To the sorrow of many, Rabbi Heber contracted the virus and passed away shortly after, leaving behind a huge void among hundreds of transplantees, donors, and their families, as well as the general public.
Following his passing, his wife Rabbanit Rachel Heber continued his path, leading Matanat Chaim with endless dedication, out of a deep belief in the mission that began with her husband. Under her leadership, the organization continues to save lives and change the reality in Israel.
May his memory be a blessing.
The late Rabbi Yeshayahu Heber -
Founder of Matanat Chaim
Rabbanit Rachel Heber -
President of Matanat Chaim
