Support for Sam Kesselman

On Thursday evening, October 20th, Samuel Kesselman was the victim of a hit and run. He was waiting on a corner, stopped at a red light, on his way to an EY work event. Suddenly a speeding car hit Sam from behind and then the car sped away. The accident was witnessed and is currently being investigated by a special unit of the DC police.

Sam was taken to Howard U. Medical Center, and was operated on immediately to relieve cerebral swelling from a traumatic brain injury. He was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital (Bayview) within 48 hours, where he is in the neurosurgical ICU. He is getting the most advanced care possible.

Sam is currently in a coma and has suffered from serious injuries. His mother, Alison Schecter, father, Stephen Kesselman, older brother, Ross and younger sister, Rose Kesselman, and girlfriend, Irene Partsuf, are with him. He is in critical condition. Every day is a positive sign. He has a long road to recovery ahead.

Samuel, otherwise known as Sam or “Kess” to those close to him, is a man loved by many whose lives he has touched and positively impacted. Many would say he is a natural born leader as he lives an exemplary life, shaped by Jewish values.

Dedicated and passionate, Sam truly made an impact at Cornell University, as he held many leadership positions in organizations such as being a TA for Policy Analysis & Management, the Cornell Political Union, the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, and President of ZBT Fraternity.

Sam just started his full time job at Ernst & Young as a Government Consultant after graduating from Cornell University in the Spring of 2022.

Sam was tremendously shaped by his nine years as a camper at Modin, and an additional three on staff. There he grew up alongside his best friends, and became a notable leader in the camp community. His campers view Sam as a role model and his love and sense of responsibility for them was an example for campers and counselors alike. He still provides support, love and advice to his campers regularly.

Sam is someone who is going to change the world for the better. He not only was beloved and looked to by his coworkers and managers, at Johnny’s, a local landmark diner in Newton, but he excelled at Newton North, winning the City of Newton Community Service and Massachusetts Jewish War Veteran scholarship. He interned with Seti Warren in local city government and worked in Jake Auchincloss’s campaign office.

Sam is kind, loving, generous, and always puts others before himself. While Sam, Zev Shmuel ben Avigael Davida, is currently critically ill, your love and prayers are equally critical as his intensive treatment. Any messages and donations you send will remind him, when he wakes, of the love and support that he is surrounded by and would mean a great deal to his family to read now.

All contributions will go to a fund used solely to support Sam’s medical and rehabilitative care. As a victim of a hit and run, Sam will need extensive and prolonged medical care which will result in substantial medical bills. As so many loving people reached out asking how they can help, this GoFundMe page was created by Sam's ZBT fraternity brothers at Cornell University who want to support and help him recover using the best treatment imaginable.

Please continue to keep Sam in your thoughts and prayers - thank you all so much!