I finally found an old post by my friend Feif Un (who honestly I don’t speak to as much anymore, since we stopped working together), and I have to give an update. Feif Un told me the end of this story.
He wrote in this thread about how wearing a shirt with a Metallica picture led a kid towards a frum life, and also said he didn’t know where that kid is now. Well, he found out.
Someone he knows is trying to find a shidduch for a middle aged woman. He was asked if he might know anyone, and he thought he might. The person sent over the shidduch resume for the woman.
Feif looked it over, and saw that the name of the woman’s Rav (listed as a reference) was the same as this boy’s name had been. He didn’t think there was any chance it was the same person, but wanted to check, just in case.
He called the Rav, and asked if he did NCSY when he was younger. The Rav confirmed that yes, he did. Feif said, “Wow, I can’t believe it is you!” The Rav replied, “I’m sorry, I don’t think your name sounds familiar. Should I know you?”
Feif replied, “Well, I was wearing a Metallica shirt while playing basketball on Sunday of the Spring Regional Shabbaton…”
The Rav let out a yell, “Of course I remember you! I can’t believe this! I have so much hakaras hatov for you, but I couldn’t remember your name, and never knew where to find you!”
After Feif had encouraged this boy, he went to Yeshiva, then to Israel to learn. He returned to the US and enrolled in YU and RIETS, eventually joining the semichah program. He now has a shul, and is a highly regarding Rav and posek.
Given that the original story was posted here, I wanted to share the update, 20 years after the original story had occurred.