27 May SHABBOS KESTENBAUM: HARVARD GRAD, JEWISH ADVOCATE, AND KIDNEY DONOR MAKING WAVES NATIONWIDE
Shabbos Kestenbaum is quickly emerging as one of the most compelling young voices in the American Jewish community — a rare blend of intellect, activism, and personal courage. Raised in Riverdale, New York, and born on Shabbos (hence his distinctive first name), Kestenbaum is gaining widespread recognition across campuses, shuls, and national institutions. But it was his most recent act — donating a kidney to a complete stranger — that revealed the extraordinary depth of his character and his unwavering commitment to Jewish values.
From Harvard to Capitol Hill
A summa cum laude graduate of Queens College and a 2024 graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Kestenbaum distinguished himself not only through academic excellence but through courageous and outspoken leadership. While at Harvard, he emerged as one of the university’s most prominent Jewish student leaders, speaking out boldlY against the rise of antisemitism on
campus.
“I’m not particularly noteworthy or mentionable,” Kestenbaum reflects. “I was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and used my personal experiences of antisemitism at Harvard to ensure no student is treated in the future the way I was in the past.”
In response to what he and others described as a hostile environment for Jewish students, Kestenbaum became the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against Harvard, alleging institutional inaction and discrimination. His advocacy garnered national media coverage and contributed to broader discussions about the responsibility of elite institutions in ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish students. He organized campus rallies, built coalitions across ideological lines, and authored op-eds that were published in major outlets, amplifying the message that Jewish students would not be silenced.
His influence soon extended far beyond the Ivy League. Kestenbaum testified before the U.S. Congress, addressing the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents in educational settings. He was also invited to speak before the Israeli Knesset, sharing his firsthand experiences and urging global Jewish solidarity. His testimony helped frame antisemitism not only as a Jewish issue, but as a broader societal threat that demands a moral response.
“I travel across the country discussing the need to protect Jewish students on college campuses,” he says. “Donating my kidney is simply an extension of that fight.”
In addition to legislative advocacy, Kestenbaum became a sought-after commentator on national news platforms including CNN, Fox News, and Newsmax, offering insight on Jewish identity, Israel, and religious freedom. He participated in high-level policy discussions, advised nonprofit leaders, and collaborated with interfaith partners to combat bigotry and promote understanding.
A Rising Star in the Jewish World
At just 26, Kestenbaum is already viewed by many as a future leader of the Jewish people. His articulate voice, principled stance on antisemitism, and unwavering commitment to Jewish unity have earned him respect across denominational and political lines.
In 2025, he ran for a seat in the World Zionist Congress on the Aish HaTorah–backed Aish Ha’am slate, a movement aimed at infusing global Jewish leadership with youthful energy and Torah-based values. His candidacy attracted young voters who were drawn to his message of moral clarity, Jewish pride, and peoplehood.
“Shabbos is not just a speaker — he’s a builder,” remarked Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, founding rabbi of Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York and a prominent figure in Jewish education and advocacy. “He’s helping to shape the next chapter of Jewish public life, and he’s doing it with both vision and integrity.”
Kidney Donation: A Defining Act of Chesed
And then came the kidney.
Just last week, Kestenbaum underwent surgery to donate one of his kidneys — not to a friend or relative, but to a complete stranger. He worked with Renewal, a Jewish nonprofit that facilitates kidney transplants, particularly within the observant community. The act, rooted in the Jewish value of chesed, reflected a personal commitment to the mitzvah of pikuach nefesh.
The recipient, whose identity remains unknown to Kestenbaum, now has a second chance at life. For Kestenbaum, the decision was not one of heroism, but of humanity. “It wasn’t a heroic act,” he said humbly. “It was the most human thing I could do. If I could save someone’s life, why wouldn’t I?”
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Posts about the donation quickly went viral, and Jewish leaders across the ideological spectrum praised his quiet, selfless courage. In a world often dominated by image and influence, Kestenbaum’s action stood out as a rare example of doing the right thing without fanfare or personal gain.
“I certainly encourage other American Jews to investigate whether altruistic donations are right for you,” he adds. “I hope other young American Jews look at my donation and lawsuit and realize that if I can do it, they can do it too — and in fact, do it a heck of a lot better than I ever could.”
A Call for Refocusing Communal Priorities
Kestenbaum doesn’t shy away from critiquing what he sees as misplaced priorities in the Jewish world. “Broadly, the Jewish community should stop spending so much time, resources, and money into the ‘fighting antisemitism industrial complex,’” he says. “If our community was serious about that fight, we would devote almost everything into quality and affordable Jewish education.”
He emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to Jewish day schools: “Make sure there is not one American Jew today going to public school because their parents can’t afford tuition. Nothing else is this important.”
He points to what he sees as a systemic misalignment: “It’s frustrating to see how too often our Jewish leadership misprioritize communal values. We can raise millions for a Holocaust museum quickly, but lag behind funding meaningful Jewish day school.”
Kestenbaum also clarifies his approach to political engagement: “I don’t endorse parties or people, I endorse policies. I ask myself which policies will best alleviate the concerns of the American
Jewish community and vote accordingly.” It’s in that spirit, he says, that “I strongly endorse Councilwoman Inna Vernikov due to her unwavering commitment to the Jewish community.”
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, Kestenbaum plans to move to Los Angeles, where he will join PragerU as part of its growing educational and advocacy initiatives. There, he intends to expand his efforts to educate young people about Judaism, Israel, religious freedom, and ethical leadership.
But whether in Washington or Warsaw, on a college campus or in Congress, Kestenbaum is redefining what Jewish leadership can look like in the 21st century — values-driven, intellectually serious, and grounded in radical empathy.
By all accounts, Shabbos Kestenbaum is one of the most promising young Jewish leaders of his generation — and now, a living example of what it means to give of oneself, quite literally, for the sake of another.
He didn’t just donate a kidney last week — he sent a powerful message to the world about what it means to live a life of sacrifice, conviction, and purpose. And the Jewish world is watching — inspired, challenged, and hopeful about what comes next.