Kiddush Hashem in Action: Jewish Acts of Kindness Go Viral
Two Jewish individuals in New Jersey demonstrated extraordinary kindness by aiding a non-Jewish woman during a medical emergency and helping an elderly couple after a flight disruption. These acts, widely shared online, have countered local tensions and earned praise for embodying Jewish values of compassion.
Two remarkable acts of compassion by Jewish individuals in the United States, occurring in the air and on the ground, have captured widespread attention on social media, highlighting the power of Jewish kindness amid tensions in Jackson, New Jersey. Last week, a lightning strike at an amusement park in Ocean County’s Jackson Township killed one person and injured 14. Among the wounded was a non-Jewish woman whose ambulance broke down en route to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Local Hatzalah volunteers, part of the Orthodox Jewish emergency medical service, swiftly responded to an urgent call, transferring the critically injured woman to their ambulance and ensuring she reached the hospital safely. A local news channel with over 200,000 subscribers praised Hatzalah, stating, “Their actions debunk the myth that they only serve Jews.” Social media erupted with gratitude, with one commenter writing, “This is what Judaism looks like,” and dozens of non-Jews sharing similar stories of Hatzalah’s aid.
In a separate incident, a Jewish man from Jackson, seated in first class on a July 15 flight from Atlanta to Newark, selflessly gave up his seat to allow a mother and daughter to sit together, moving to economy class near an elderly non-Jewish couple. When the flight made an emergency landing in Albany, New York, due to mechanical issues, he noticed the couple’s confusion. Learning they were also headed to Jackson, he invited them to share his private car, a three-hour journey. The couple, visiting their daughter who harbored resentment toward Jackson’s growing Orthodox community, told him, “After what you did for us, we’re going to tell her how Jews really act. Maybe she’ll see her neighbors differently.” Posts on X lauded these acts, with one user noting, “These Jews are showing the world true kindness.” Amid strained relations in Jackson, where antisemitic incidents rose 15% in 2024 per ADL data, these stories of selflessness have inspired thousands, earning global praise as acts of Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying G-d’s name through pure goodwill.