Mistaken for Dead: Chareidi Journalist Reassures Everyone, “I’m Alive—Everything’s Fine”
Chareidi journalist Yanky Farber unexpectedly found himself at the center of a bizarre case of mistaken identity after reports of another Yaakov Farber’s passing led some to believe that he had died.
Speaking Tuesday night on Kol Chai Radio’s Press Conference program with hosts Avraham Freund and Shlomo Cooperman, Farber recounted how confusion over identical names resulted in widespread rumors that he had passed away.
The mix-up began after the tragic passing of Reb Yaakov Farber z”l, a Belzer askan, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 32 following a serious illness. He is survived by his widow and six children. The niftar was widely respected for his extensive work assisting avreichim and families, including helping many secure employment and vocational training.
Farber said that as soon as he heard about the tragedy, he realized the similarity in their names could lead to confusion. One of his friends even suggested that he post a message clarifying that the deceased was someone else.
“I said, ‘Leave it alone, there’s no need,'” Farber recalled. He then went to sleep without giving it another thought.
When he woke up early the next morning, however, he found hundreds of messages from worried friends and acquaintances trying to determine whether he was still alive.
“People didn’t know whether it was me or not. On one hand, it was the same name. On the other hand, it said the person was 32 years old, and nobody knew,” he said, adding that he spent hours replying to messages and received countless blessings wishing him a long life.
The confusion reached another level when one journalist mistakenly published Yanky Farber’s photograph alongside the obituary details after apparently combining Farber’s WhatsApp profile picture with information found online.
“Friends started sending it to me, and people were saying, ‘How are you talking to the dead? Are you in Gan Eden? Tell us what’s going on there,'” Farber recalled with a laugh.
After notifying the publisher that he was very much alive, the journalist apologized for the mistake.
“In your merit, I received hundreds of brachos that I should live until 120,” Farber told him. “That’s a segulah for long life.”
The mistaken reports even spread into political circles. Farber said that one senior Knesset official contacted others to find out when his funeral would take place and how he could attend.
“I wrote in the group, ‘Friends, what’s going on? I’m alive,'” Farber said.
{Matzav.com}
