Organs of IDF soldier donated to five people in Israel, Germany
Ma'ayan Rottenberg died Friday of injuries sustained while performing routine maintenance on weapons system.
By Yuval Azoulay Tags: IDFThe organs of Israel Defense Forces soldier Private Ma'ayan Rottenberg, who died Friday from injuries sustained while performing routine maintenance on a tank, were donated to five people.
Three men and one woman, all in Israel, received Rottenberg's heart, lungs, kidneys and pancreas. His liver is to be flown to Germany and transplanted into the body of a 54-year-old man.
The work accident took place on Wednesday at the Shizafon Armored Corps Base in the Arava Desert.
Rottenberg, from Kibbutz Kfar Ha'emek, was evacuated by helicopter to the intensive care unit of Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva where he later died. He would have celebrated his 19th birthday next week.
Rottenberg had in his possession an Adi organ donor card. Because of his rare blood type, a suitable candidate for the liver transplant was not found in Israel. Medical authorities, with the permission of his family, decided therefore to send the liver to Germany.
The National Transplant Center explained that the move demonstrated Israel's cooperation with an international transplant organization of which Austria, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. In the last decade, the center said, five livers were sent to those countries after matches weren't found in Israel.
In Israel, a 51-year-old man received Rottenberg's heart, one kidney and a pancreas were transplanted into the body of a 40-year-old woman, one kidney into the body of a 63-year-old man and both lungs into the body of a 36-year-old man. Rottenberg's corneas will also be donated in coming days.
Third accident this month
At the time of Rottenberg's accident, the tank reportedly was not in motion, and a preliminary IDF investigation is probing whether the soldier was hurt while performing a routine check on the tank's weapons system.
Wednesday's marked the third accident this month involving on-duty IDF soldiers: Sergeant-Major Asaf Waxman was killed when he was crushed to death while driving an armored personnel carrier and Staff Sergeant Yariv Amitai was killed in a jeep accident while patrolling the border with the Gaza Strip.
A military police probe has found that Waxman had received no training on driving such a vehicle, nor did four other soldiers who were lightly to moderately injured when the APC overturned.
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Private Ma'ayan Rottenberg. (Reproduction: Doron Golan / Jini) |
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Dear Mark and family, Please accept the deepest condolences from my family and me for your tragic loss. Please know that your friends and schoolmates in Pennsylvania are with you in this time of great sadness. We celebrate your son's life and memory. The Newstadt Family
i only missed such a stupid remark in this discussion... thank g-d there are not many like u out there...the one half of those, run around with shaved hheads and wavs swastika flags, the other half writes such remarks on the internet
He was a hero, he was a soldier for his country, and he extended his contribution to the country with dedicating his organs to 5 people in need. G-d bless his soul, may G-d help us to have less of wars, more of peace, so that the precious lives of our beloved ones are saved from harms. Amen
Haaretz is allowing a forum to be held making pleasantaries and canards at the expense of dead people. Once again, Haaretz will be held fully responsible for its moral deriliction.
Do you walk the walk?
At least IDF soldiers are human. A claim that can't be made for you.
Whoever received the organ needed it. I doubr whether the German medical authorities were concerned about whther he was a Jew or not, and in Israel this is not an issue at all. Donated organs go to the next suitable recipient in the long line of patients waiting for a miracle.
You don't talk for all Jews. You certainly don't talk for me. Your unyielding attitude blaming today's generation for the faults of the past is alienating and disgusting.
WAS MADE INTO DOORMATS...
A remarkable tribute by a remarkable young man. Read more about him and leave your tribute to him at In My Heart - http://inmyheart.org - the website of Jewish Obituaries, Jewish Tributes and Jewish Memorials
Ma'ayan Rothenberg (Rottenberg) was my first cousin. It is so hard to believe this tragedy with the tank - especially sitting so far away in Melboune, Australia. I will miss him...what a courageous young man.
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of my dear friend, and Ma'ayan's uncle, Jeffrey. The organ donations made will enable so many others to live and remember Ma'ayan.
I believe that that was an unfortunate posting. The young man was no enemy of yours. There are times that I read your messages with interest and understanding, if not always approval. I was profoundly disappointed this time.
I knew Mayaan from the age of two years old, until he was 14 as I was a resident of Kfar Beth HaEmek for many years. Mayaan was a special, sensitive child who grew into a wonderful young man who will be sorely missed. May he be of blessed memory. "Metapelet" Yaeli
What would full repentance be unless collective suicide? There was a time when I was asking myself if I would join the IDF if I was given the possibility. Maybe I was even assuming that going through the hardship of military service could be a kind of repentance. But in the meantime I understood that these physical activities, physical performances, physical inheritance like Jewish liver, are for Israelis the essence of judaism. This is what people like me who belong to the fauna of northern Germany can never achieve. It remains a mystery that our bodies still seem to be compatible.
Ma'ayan Rottenberg was a generous and caring man, no doubt because he learned these values from his family. Although his life was not long, he was blessed to have been raised by parents who taught him to love and care. Deepest sympathy.
When unforeseen tragedy strikes, it is some little consolation to know that others can live because of his donor card -- assuming Israeli hospitals use Halachic death as their criterion.May his parents and family be comforted among those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.
I am sorry this young man died, because he was not in illegally occupied Palestine killing innocents. And I grieve every day for loved ones -- all Palestinians and all killed for no reason other than that they had something coveted by zionists.
WHere does t say all recipients were Jews. and so what if they were? Have you signed a card donating your organs to anyone. What a puny mind you have. Condolences to the bereaved family.
It is a coin toss as to who is more despicable...you or Haaretz for printing this rubbish. I am unable to post my true thoughts of you because I will embarrass myself...as to this young IDF soldier may he rest in peace and may he know that his generous gifts of life make him a special angel. Warm condolences to the family...they should have solace in knowing what a kind son they raised.
May Ma'ayan Rottenberg rest in eternal peace. Thanks to his Adi registration card he extended and possibly saved the lives of 5 strangers. Kol ha kavod to late Ma'ayan Rottenberg, and also to his family, who could have refused to have these transplants carried out. God bless this family. I wish the organ receivers speedy recovery and a long happy life.
Your comments are the reason why we need a state, and an army my friend. You are also the type of person who I would love to meet.
At this time of tragedy for them it was a wonderful and life-affirming thing to do.
For the short time we knew Ma'yan, we enjoyed the time we spent with him. Ma'yan and the moments we shared will remain in our hearts forever.
One day you will grieve for a loved one. You will look for peace and love - maybe there will be better people around you then you both deserve. Maybe.
My heart goes out to Ma'ayan's family and friends, and all the kibbutzniks at Beth Ha'emek who loved and mourn him. How generous of him to donate his organs and save lives even in his death. He was a beautiful child and the world is a much sadder place without him.
The bad taste of your comment is overwhelming. You are in good company with Jackal. I would instead send grateful thoughts to the soldier's family.
You little people with little minds and black hearts, that's what you have to say to this noble bereaved family?
But if we learn nothing from this tragedy we are damned to repeat it.
My condolences to the family and friends of Ma'ayan Rottenberg. May he rest in peace. G-d bless you .
I was very sorry to read about the death of this 28 year old soldier. His commanders are to blame for ordering him to drive the APC without the proper instruction. It was particularly sad to read his remark to his mother the night before he died..."Mom, I don`t know how I`m going to drive that thing"... My best regards to his family
Firstly my condolences to the family - I have a grandson who has been in the IDF for a year and from day one the organising, training and logistical factors have been disgusting. Our children have been insulted by the IDF, the teachers strike and the Govt - whoever THEY may be.
May you rest in peace Ma'ayan.
I AM DISTRESSED TO HEAR OF HIS UNTIMELY DEATH AND OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.
Sounds like Tsahal has to upgrade it's training procedures. During the last Lebanon war many recrutes/reservists complained about missing equipment and failing training, apparently something seems to go wrong in the army organisation. The general staff has to get it's act together, maybe paying less attention to politics and more to operational field training. Accidents happen, though.