It’s a Mitzvah! Rabbi Adler Receives Kidney Transplant

The Atlanta Jewish Times has featured Rabbi Jonathon Adler twice: once on June 12, 2024, welcoming him to his position as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim; then again on Jan. 15, 2025, where he made an urgent plea to the community for a kidney donor/transplant to remedy his deteriorating chronic condition.

Maybe it was related, maybe not, but in a “few hours flat,” Adler received a call that an altruistic donor designated him as a recipient. He recalled, “On Friday, Jan. 17, sitting at my sister’s breakfast table in Washington, D.C., I noticed a text and a missed call from Piedmont Hospital, so I immediately called back. I was told that they had a kidney which looked like it would be a match. I cancelled all plans and hopped the next flight to Atlanta.”

Time was running out. Adler was weakening in End Stage Renal Disease and spending several hours per week in dialysis. Being on transplant lists, he was told the wait could be two years.

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Arriving in Atlanta, he tended to his cats, packed a suitcase, and headed to Piedmont arriving at 10 p.m. He checked into a room on the transplant floor. At 6 a.m., he was transported to a massive pre-op area, with only one small section open since it was the weekend. He had more tests done and an IV placed. He met the surgeon and anesthesiologist, who sedated him before leaving the pre-op area. The surgery began at 8 a.m., and he woke up in his room 4 ½ hours later.

That evening, using a walker, he mozied around the unit before being discharged on Wednesday, Jan. 22. He used the walker for a week, then graduated to a cane. After a few weeks, he was able to walk unassisted thanks to the rigors of physical therapy.

Now two-plus months post post-transplant, he reported, “I’m still feeling tired from time to time; but at this point, it’s minimal compared to how exhausted I constantly felt before the transplant! While I definitely still have some pain, it’s nowhere near what it was in the first week or so after the surgery. My overall health is so much better and watching my lab values improve over the course of these two months has been wonderful. I’m so fortunate that my health has become this good, and I’m so glad to no longer be on dialysis!”

Rabbi Jonathon Adler received a kidney and is well on the way to “his new lease on life.”

Transplants require a major regimen of anti-rejection medications, antivirals, and vitamins, some which will remain for his life’s duration. He currently takes 17 of those pills daily plus a few others. Adler finds that the more activity he does, the more energy he has.

With this experience happening to a rabbi, there are many layers. He explained, “In the Asher Yatzar blessing (traditionally recited after using the bathroom), we thank G-d for connecting all of our body parts correctly. We recognize in these words that if any of the connections were blocked or broken, we would cease to exist and be no longer able to praise G-d. For me, now, this means that not only do I thank G-d for the miracle that is this kidney, but also for the blessing of, G-d-willing, so many more years to praise the Divine. And, I hope, to serve the incredible community at Etz Chaim.”

Rabbi Adler wants to emphasize the mitzvah of organ donation, which falls into two categories: Tzedakah and Pikuach Nefesh. This ultimate act of generosity can make a huge difference to so many. Pikuach Nefesh, our commitment to prolonging life, means that the donor is giving, literally, the gift of life to the recipient.

The Etz Chaim community was supportive with many congregants participating in a meal train organized by the Chesed Committee. For over a month after the surgery, Rabbi Adler was unable to drive; but thanks to the generosity of congregants, he never missed an appointment.

He concluded, “My fridge was always full.”

The identity of the donor remains sealed. Adler wrote a “thank you” letter to the family, which Piedmont welcomes.

The AJT covers a wide variety of topics and events … maybe some life altering ones also. Baruch She’ Kavanti … blessed is the one that connects us.

To get tested to donate, please call 404-605-4605.