Heartbeat 2022

shaarezedek.org.uk 2022

120 years of caring Jerusalem’s hospital with a heart celebrates a milestone birthday

Contents 03 Welcome

04 Celebrating 120 years of caring

10 A look back from our Executive Director

15 News & medical firsts

26 A day in the life: Lily Golker

28 A time to celebrate

30 Donor spotlight

33 Shaare the love

34 Celebrations

36 Lifecycle giving

40 Ways to get involved

Top to bottom - Director Generals through the ages...

Dr Falk Schlesinger Professor Jonathan Halevy

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Professor Ofer Merin

Providing the advanced and compassionate care that has always defined our hospital Dear friends,

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s we entered 2022, we found ourselves in a time of continued and in many ways unprecedented challenge.

While we have been operating at the forefront of Israel’s COVID-19 response since early 2020, this latest wave presented a level of operational difficulty very different from any previous wave.

Most challenging has been the high number of staff members who were either testing positive or in isolation due to infected family members. At times, as many as 15% of our workforce were unable to come into work.

Responding to this challenge in a way that ensures our high level of care is never compromised has required extensive shuffling of shifts and responsibilities. All of this at the very time when our Corona Care service was treating the highest numbers of patients since the start of the pandemic – a number which surpassed 200 patients, many of whom were in serious and critical condition.

Celebrating Shaare Zedek’s 120th anniversary in 2022, we have been witness to many difficult periods throughout that remarkable history and we know that we will similarly grow stronger as a community

and a hospital out of this current crisis. I am hopeful and confident that by the time many of you read this message we will be in a far better situation but whatever the challenge and whatever the need we are prepared to respond.

The coming months promise to be ones of exciting development and progress for our hospital. We will be opening the expanded Department of Emergency Medicine as well as the new Helmsley Cancer Centre, two projects that we know will significantly enhance our ability to provide the advanced and compassionate care that has always defined our hospital.

Coping with these challenges has necessitated the strong support of our friends around the world. We are deeply thankful for your generosity and welcome the chance to only further strengthen those partnerships on behalf of the people of Jerusalem and Israel.

Wishing you and your families only good health and happiness.

Professor Ofer Merin Director General Shaare Zedek Medical Centre

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Celebrating 120 years of caring & advanced medicine for the people of Jerusalem & beyond 04

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Celebrating 120 years of caring

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n a bright winter’s day 120 years ago in January 1902, a delegation of dignitaries and locals gathered in the courtyard of the newly built structure on Jaffa Street to mark the opening of Shaare Zedek Hospital.

On 27th January 2022 in the presence of Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, Shaare Zedek’s Director General, Professor Ofer Merin and the hospital’s President, Professor Jonathan Halevy, crowds gathered to mark the 120th anniversary in the foyer of that same building.

The idea for an advanced new hospital in the fast-developing western portion of Jerusalem was decades in the making, and by 1902 had come to fruition through the vision and philanthropy of a coalition of European Jews.

Even in those early days of the modern Zionist movement, they recognized that in order for Jerusalem to develop as a modern city, it would need a medical facility built upon values of compassionate care and advanced medicine.

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Celebrating 120 years of caring

Today, as we mark this remarkable anniversary, we look back with pride on how Shaare Zedek Medical Centre has changed the face of medicine for Jerusalem, for Israel and in many ways for the global medical community.

From that humble 20-bed facility on Jaffa Street to the incredible, multi-site medical centre that exists today, Shaare Zedek has never stopped growing. Today Shaare Zedek has over 1,000 inpatient beds and treats nearly one million patients annually.

As a centre of both clinical and research excellence, over 4,000 people proudly call

Shaare Zedek their professional home and work tirelessly to embrace that very same tradition of compassion and progress that has defined the hospital since those earliest days.

Over the course of those 120 years we have faced many challenges; conflicts, wars, financial struggles and pandemics. As an integral fabric of the Jerusalem landscape, we have all experienced too much loss and been on the forefront in many of our nation’s struggles.

But perhaps our greatest legacy has been that irreplaceable role we have come to play for the people of Jerusalem.

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Shaare Zedek Medical Centre is today Jerusalem’s largest major hospital and continues to grow in embracing new Centres of Excellence and methods of ground-breaking treatment and scientific advancement.

On this anniversary, coming amidst another time of communal and medical challenge, we resolve to continue to provide the care and commitment to advancement that defines the unique spirit that is Shaare Zedek.

We thank the countless visionaries, supporters and staff members who have worked tirelessly to make it all possible.

MAZAL TOV SHAARE ZEDEK!

Celebratory stamp created by the Israel Postal Service to commemorate 120 years of Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.

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Celebrating 120 years of caring

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Dear friends,

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hope this special edition of Heartbeat, celebrating 120 years of the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, will bring some muchneeded hope and light in these unsettling times.

120 years is considered a full Jewish life. Moses lived to 120 and his energy and vitality did not diminish in that time and I would not be so bold as to compare a hospital to Moses! That said, our archives are full of examples of courageous leadership, hope and compassion, activism and excellence. At every step in our history, British donors have been an integral part of the story. I do not have the space to share every gem with you here - the list of our “firsts” in medicine would take up ten pages but it is on the website for your interest. I hope you enjoy the selection of items we have included. If you would like to see more, please do get in touch.

It feels appropriate to start with our history of supporting refugees and victims of war.

Some wonderful artefacts you can see here show how British supporters made sure that refugees fleeing Nazi occupation had free medical treatment when arriving in Palestine.

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The appeal letter here is from our board meeting minute book of 1944. It is a powerful example of the passion and urgency with which our supporters have always taken their responsibility in supporting our hospital and all who need it.

Even at the end of the war when rations were still in place, our supporters never forgot those in need, hosting a Grand Gala Dance in June 1945.

A look back from our Executive Director

The hospital maintains an active support service for Holocaust survivors.

During the period of mass immigration from Russia, we were the first hospital in Israel to organize a Russian-language symposium in order to help in the absorption of anaesthesiologists.

The first Ethiopian nurse in Israel graduated from our School of Nursing; Retta came on Aliya with Operation Moses in 1984.

You will read in coming pages the heartwarming story of the Ukrainian baby born at Shaare Zedek after escaping Kyiv, and other refugees in our care.

Shaare Zedek has provided life-saving care throughout wars and attacks on the local area.

The images of labouring mothers wearing gas masks is chilling, but I hope it brings comfort and pride to know it is your donations that enable us to provide whatever is necessary to keep our staff and patients safe and healthy.

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the final part of the stateof-the-art Maurice Wohl Surgical Complex.

As the trustees were due to start their tour, a young stabbing victim arrived at the hospital in critical condition. Hours later, Professor Halevy addressed a Wohl Legacy celebration at the British Ambassador’s Residence.

Professor Halevy spoke about the lifesaving impact of philanthropy, sharing the news that the young

With so much experience in treating mass casualty injuries, we are proud that in recent years we have been able to extend our provision of services to become a level 1 Trauma Centre, ensuring comprehensive treatment of every aspect of injury from treatment to rehabilitation is available.

This is a significant development for Jerusalem, with so many more lives being saved. I am particularly proud to see that so many departments involved in this care have British names.

One of my most memorable visits to the hospital coincided with a new wave of terror attacks in 2015. We had arrived to dedicate

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man who had arrived at the hospital hours earlier “close to death” was no longer in lifethreatening danger as a direct result of the state of the art technology and equipment donated by the Wohl Legacy.

A look back from our Executive Director

Described by Time Magazine as a living saint and “something of an angel”, Selma Meyer passed away on her 100th birthday in the hospital in which she had lived and served almost her entire adult life.

The spirit of the staff at Shaare Zedek deserves to be celebrated as well as our medical achievements.

Our first Director General, Dr. Moshe Wallach, made it his life’s mission to help every human. He fought fiercely against his patients’ diseases, using anything he had at his disposal, even prescribing milk, meat and vegetables for the malnourished.

As a medical pioneer, he performed the country’s first Tracheotomy and introduced inoculation against Diphtheria. Throughout his long years of service, Dr. Wallach ran the hospital with iron discipline, traditional Jewish observance and compassionate care.

As our first Head Nurse, Schwester Selma’s compassionate nursing established Shaare Zedek’s model of care for all time. She arrived from Germany in 1916, in the midst of a Typhoid epidemic in Jerusalem, which she tackled with competence and care. In 1936, she founded and directed Shaare Zedek’s School of Nursing, on which her imprint still remains.

Her autobiography, My Life at Shaare Zedek, features momentous memories of her dramatic decades of service. This is available to read on our website.

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Fast forward to 2022 and the teams we have today are just as special. Our Coronavirus departments were staffed entirely by volunteers who were willing to put themselves at risk to save others.

Our Director General, Professor Ofer Merin, is an inspiration around the world. The grandson of a Holocaust survivor, he has made it his mission to save as many lives as possible. In addition to leading Shaare Zedek through one of the most challenging periods in recent medical history, Professor Merin continues his role as Commander of the IDF Field hospital. The IDF Medical Corps are ranked as the best in the world by the UN, being the first ever to receive Type 3 Rating.

Our President, Professor Jonathan Halevy, transformed our hospital from the small local hospital on Jaffa Road, into the 1,000 bed facility world renowned for over 14 centres of medical excellence. In 2021 Professor Halevy was awarded the Yakir Yerushalayim Award, Jerusalem’s highest civilian honour.

He dedicated it to the 5,000 staff of Shaare Zedek who work selflessly throughout the pandemic.

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In this milestone birthday year, we would also like to acknowledge the unwaivering support and dedication of you, our donors, without whom, none of this would be possible.

With very best wishes, Simi Ben Hur Executive Director, Shaare Zedek UK

News & medical firsts

Advancing

healthcare solutions

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t the beginning of March, Shaare Zedek Scientific (Madait), the hospital’s Research and Development company, were proud to host their third conference on Medical Research and Innovation.

The conference entitled The Next Generation of Researchers highlighted the accomplishments of young researchers and innovators at both Shaare Zedek and among partner institutions and companies. The pace of medical research at Shaare Zedek is constantly rising and over the past year 600 studies were published involving Shaare Zedek researchers.

The conference featured a variety of short presentations and lectures as well as the presentation of several achievement awards for some outstanding research programs and collaborations between scientists and physicians. Many studies focused on lessons learned from research into treatment of COVID-19 as well as clinical experience in response to the vaccination effort.

Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin said, “Amidst the immense clinical and operational challenges which have defined public healthcare over the past two years, Shaare Zedek has forged ahead in defining ourselves as a leader in medical research. We take great pride in the role we play in advancing healthcare science both locally and around the world. As a hospital treating over one million medical cases each year in one of the world’s most ethnically and genetically diverse population centres, we offer a clinical resource that can directly benefit scientific advancement in so many different areas. I salute all the many members of our Shaare Zedek team who are involved in further developing our accomplishments in this area and look forward to witnessing only continued achievements.”

The keynote lecture was presented by Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Aaron Ciechanover. He focused on his research into how the body’s ability to breakdown proteins has become one of the most important areas of study in recent years, both for advancements in clinical care and pharmaceutical development.

The conference, which opened with remarks

by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, was held in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Development Authority, BioJerusalem, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage.

Left to right: Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Aaron Ciechanover, CEO of Shaare Zedek Scientific, Renana Ofan, Director General, Professor Ofer Merin

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Fleeing Kyiv just in time, couple gives birth at Shaare Zedek Over recent weeks, we have all watched in horror the news from Ukraine, with many organisations sending humanitarian aid in to regions close to the Ukrainian boarders to help with the refugee crisis. We wanted to share a story of just how important timing was for this young couple.

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ntil the war arrived, ‘C’, 26 was a teacher living in Kyiv. But with the threat of attack increasing by the hour, she, together with her husband fled Ukraine to Israel. That quick decision proved particularly fortuitous as the couple were blessed to give birth the very day the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, but thank goodness their baby boy was born at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

‘C’ shared, “If the baby had been early, we likely couldn’t have evacuated in time and we would have been caught up in this horrific situation,” The couple live in the Ukrainian capital as emissaries on behalf of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, Rabbi Bleich, and for the past year and a half Chani has been teaching at a local Jewish day school.

“While we were in the delivery room we were constantly being updated with the news and we

really feel a part of what is going on there. It’s very much a bittersweet feeling as we are blessed with this baby alongside being inundated from the community WhatsApp groups of how our fellow community members are hiding out in the Beit Knesset (synagogue) as only some of them were able to flee west to Poland.”

Now safely in Israel, the plan had been to return to Kyiv soon after the birth, but obviously now they don’t know what lies ahead. “As I looked down at our baby I can’t stop thinking about how this war will affect his future and all our futures.

It’s an extremely complicated situation. We’re hearing all sorts of rumours about homes being looted and tanks rolling through the streets. As of now we have no home to return to,” she says.

The first people they informed about the birth were family members back in Kyiv. “We so wanted to be able to give them happy news and indeed they all rejoiced with us and stood up and started dancing right there in their shelter.”

Names removed for privacy reasons

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News & medical firsts

Ukrainian refugees treated at Shaare Zedek

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n 16th of March three female patients evacuated from war torn Ukraine arrived at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre for treatment. We are proud to share the women were safely evacuated

by Hatzolah Air with Shaare Zedek doctors regularly updated on their conditions throughout their journey.

The patients are 30 year old woman with injuries to the extremities after her home in Chernihiv was hit by a rocket, an 85 year old Holocaust survivor in stable condition, and a 97 year old woman also in stable condition who decided to make aliya with her family in light of the immediate danger to their lives.

Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin shared, “It is a source of pride to be called upon to treat these patients and to be a part of the international medical effort during these deeply trying times. Shaare Zedek is uniquely positioned to contribute to helping save lives wherever in the world the need

exists, and I thank Hatzolah Air for their pivotal role in this mission and to all our staff who responded to the call.”

Dr. Alon Schwartz, Director of the Shaare Zedek Trauma Unit said, “The patients were triaged in the Trauma Unit and after initial observation to determine their conditions were stable, they have been transferred to our inpatient units. In tandem with our social work teams, we are ensuring they are receiving optimal care for both their medical and emotional needs.”

Aaron Adler, CEO of Hatzolah Air commented, “This marks the completion of a complex rescue and aid mission enabling these three women to make it to Israel. The entire mission was performed in coordination with Shaare Zedek who we have a long-lasting relationship with and we know they will be treated with the care they need and deserve. We continue to rescue and evacuate more patients from war torn areas to ensure they are given passage to safe areas for treatment”.

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A special day that no-one thought possible Shaare Zedek transforms into wedding venue for recovering corona patient and his bride.

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News & medical firsts

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he eighth floor balcony at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Centre was transformed into a beautiful and impromptu wedding venue in October 2021, as one of the hospital’s most severely affected Coronavirus patient was blessed to marry his bride in the company of friends, family and the medical teams that helped save his life.

The wedding ceremony, made possible in partnership with the Tikva U’Marpeh organisation, left few dry eyes. The groom, ‘A’, a resident of Rishon Letzion, was a patient at Shaare Zedek for over 60 days.

Only two weeks prior to the ceremony, his doctors were unsure if he would even survive as his condition was critical and he had to be connected to an ECMO life-support machine.

‘A’ had been engaged to L for 11 months.

In August 2021 he caught Covid-19 and his condition deteriorated requiring hospitalisation at Shaare Zedek and within days of arriving, he needed to be connected to the ECMO machine.

As ‘L’ witnessed the doctors fight for her loved one’s life, she made a vow that if he survived they would get married as soon as possible, even if that meant the wedding taking place in the hospital.

‘L’ shared her vow with Esti Bernstein, a social worker for the Corona ward, and Esti promised she would do everything she could to help the couple have their dream wedding, despite the obvious challenges.

What was at one time thought of as a miracle came to pass and ‘A’ slowly began to recover and was able to be removed from ECMO. The couple chose to be married as soon as possible and the hospital staff comprising social workers, nurses and physicians set about making the wedding possible, working together with Tikva U’Marpeh.

What resulted was a truly wonderful wedding ceremony with a gorgeous chuppah adorned with flowers overlooking the Jerusalem landscape, lighting, musical accompaniment and a bridal gown donated by designer Odeliah Mizarachi. Everything came together within 24 hours.

“I am so thankful for this clear miracle and the compassion of the One Above who sent these remarkable angels who cared and continue to care for ‘A’ so that he will be able to be back on his feet in the near future. I am so thankful to the dedicated medical team led by Professor Philip Levin, Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Shaare Zedek and all the nurses.

I have been given back the gift of the love of my life,” ‘L’ said.

Professor Levin in attendance for the wedding said. “This is truly the rarest of cases where a patient recovers to this extent. We are so grateful that we were able to treat this case in this best way possible and wish the couple only happiness and health.”

Dvora Agasi, Director of Tikva U’Marpeh said, “It is so moving to be able to join with the hospital staff that gave so much for their patients and to have a part in this remarkable story and making this chuppah possible.”

Names removed for privacy reasons

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“We’ve always felt at home at Shaare Zedek” Couple returns to give thanks one year after traumatic accident

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n November 2020 Shira was 27 weeks pregnant and involved in a car accident which left her critically injured and sadly losing her baby. When she arrived at the Kennedy Leigh Shock and Trauma Unit at Shaare Zedek, the first moments were critical. A large team of doctors and nurses prepared her for a long and complex surgery which thankfully stabilised her condition and saved her life.

A year on, Shira accompanied by her husband Pinchas, returned to Shaare Zedek to thank the team that fought for her life and treated her during the long and often challenging days towards her full recovery. “I don’t remember much from those first moments. But I do remember that when the ambulance picked me up I insisted they take me to Shaare Zedek. You were all so incredible to me and truly did so much more than I could have ever expected. It was often your words of support and encouragement that gave me the strength to battle for my recovery,” Shira explained in the emotional reunion.

Pinchas added “We’re here today to say thank you and thank you for always being there for us.

From the hospital Director General to the head of the Trauma Unit and everyone in the gynaecology department who were also with us for the seven births that Shira was blessed to deliver here.”

Left to right: Dr Alon Schwartz Director General, Professor Ofer Merin

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Pinchas and Shira

Shaare Zedek Medical Centre’s Director General Professor Ofer Merin also shared; “I just want to add how much this visit means for us. The world of trauma medicine is often so challenging and every patient represents a life that needs fighting for and a family that has a loved one hanging in the balance between life and death. It’s so heart-warming to see such a blessed outcome of our successful care and we are so thankful and appreciative that you’ve taken the time to come here today.”

Dr Alon Schwartz, Director of Shaare Zedek’s Level One Trauma Service added, “We’re all just part of a large team that came together to care for you starting from Michal Peretz who admitted you into the Trauma Unit, Dr Vladimir Plotkin and Dr Boris Zuckerman and others from the Gynaecology department, to our social work and psychology teams and Yehudit Gabay, Head Nurse in the operating theatre. Moving on after a traumatic case is not the easiest thing to do and our teams also require emotional support. This was just one case where we had to invest a great deal on behalf of a patient and there is often a very long road to recovery. So, every visit like this provides us with a huge amount of encouragement, to ensure we always provide the best and most comprehensive care for each and every patient.”

News & medical firsts

Left to right: Dr Ortal Zachs Dr Rappoport Dr Reich

Expert diagnosis saves young girl from going blind

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oni, from Jerusalem began complaining of severe pain in her neck. Her mother put it down to stress from exams, but when the pain failed to subside and started to affect her vision she knew something wasn’t right. After visits to various doctors, Roni was referred to the Emergency Department at Shaare Zedek.

Quickly it was identified that Roni had an Edema in her ocular nerve and a build up of intracranial pressure which meant there was a risk of complete blindness.

Over the past year there has been an increase in cases across the world where patients are experiencing loss of vision linked to weight gain. Recent medical research has indicated a connection between Covid-19 and the resulting lockdowns as a factor that has impacted on juvenile obesity which could lead to more cases of IDIOPATHIC INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION, increased pressure in the skull.

Roni required immediate surgery to prevent further deterioration of her sight, this complex procedure was performed by Dr Udi Reich, Director of Ocular Oncology at Shaare Zedek and Dr. Ortal Zachs.

Dr. Reich summed up the surgery by saying “Roni presented with an expanding Edema and only six percent remaining in her field of vision. We were very concerned she would be blind for life. We performed a very precise incision in the area around the nerve to drain the fluid, only millimetres away from key nerves. Surgeries of this type are extremely complex, but we are very happy that following the surgery she quickly regained her vision and is improving nicely by the day.”

He added, “Excess bodyweight is a known health issue and in girls and younger women it can be associated with loss of vision. In cases of headaches which don’t go away after a couple of days, the case should be quickly referred to an eye specialist. Roni’s case was particularly complicated because it wasn’t accompanied by headaches which is something which would have been a clearer indicator that something was wrong and allowed for earlier intervention.”

Roni’s mother added, “This is truly miraculous.

I have so much gratitude for the doctors who were able to so quickly save her sight. Roni has become herself again and she has been given back the gift of vision.”

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Unique procedure, a first in Israel Shaare Zedek became the first hospital in Israel to perform a unique implant procedure for the treatment of glaucoma.

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News & medical firsts

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he procedure was performed in the Glaucoma Treatment Unit and involved a highly complex and precise approach called Preserflo Microshunt that had never previously been used in Israel.

The Microshunt has been proven to have excellent results in addressing intraocular pressure and significantly reduces the length of the surgery and overall recovery time for the patient.

The procedure was performed by Dr Motti Goldberg, Director of the Glaucoma Treatment Unit at Shaare Zedek who explained: “Glaucoma is the second most prevalent cause of blindness in the western world and becomes increasingly common with age. The disease is defined by damage to the optical nerve in ways that can’t always be felt, but can lead to irreversible blindness and is therefore often referred to as the ‘silent blinding disease’.

“This PRESERFLO shunt is the most advanced of its type in the world today and is made up

David Zuckerman with the medical team that performed the procedure.

of a minuscule tube with a dimension of just 70 microns that is designed to significantly reduce and control the pressure in the eye in ways that make for safer surgeries.”

The first patient to benefit from the new approach was 70-year-old David Zuckerman, a resident of Beit El and father of 8 children and 40 grandchildren.

Over the past year he needed to undergo cataract surgery which revealed that he was suffering from advanced glaucoma.

As soon as he heard about the new approach, he welcomed the chance to be the first patient in Israel to be treated by this new procedure.

Mr Zuckerman said, “Within three hours of the surgery I was already feeling good and I feel very appreciative that I was the first patient able to benefit from this procedure. I want to thank Dr Goldberg and Dr Strassman who cared for me with such professionalism and I hope that many other patients will be able to benefit from this innovative approach.”

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Always prepared The emergency preparedness team at Shaare Zedek rarely rest. There is always something that they are working on and ensuring they are prepared for, just in case.

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News & medical firsts

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ost recently the Emergency Preparedness Team took part in a national Homefront command drill, simulating a military-style attack in the north of the Israel. In the event of war breaking out in the north, this would likely result in significantly in-creased patient traffic to hospitals in other parts of the country and as such it is imperative that teams at Shaare Zedek are prepared for this.

The drill, which was carried out in partnership with the IDF Homefront Command and Magen David Adom, simulated Shaare Zedek receiving a large number of injured and ill patients from the hospitals in the north.

Shaare Zedek was recently awarded Level 1 Trauma Centre status and has experience of treating large numbers of patients. As a result, we were chosen as the first Israeli hospital for this specific drill. The exercise was coordinated

by Sarah Goldberg, Shaare Zedek’s Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator and Dr Ariel Rokach, Director of Shaare Zedek’s Emergency Response Centre, and included teams from throughout the hospital.

Ms Goldberg explained, “This was a drill that simulated a scenario we haven’t practiced before and just like past exercises, every time we run a drill it significantly improves our levels of readiness for the real thing. We came prepared and we are very happy with our performance. It’s very important that we are always ready for all types of scenarios and we will continue to learn and train our teams for every possible event.”

Shaare Zedek Director General, Professor Ofer Merin said, “This is the type of event that could happen at any time. We are committed to doing the utmost to ensure that if and when the time comes to implement this training, we will have a high level of readiness for whatever might come our way.”

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A day in the life:

Lily Golker

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ell us a little about yourself.

My name is Lily Golker. I made Aliya with my family from London when I was almost ten years old. I love living in Israel and wouldn’t change it for anything.

Why have you chosen to carry out your Sherut Leumi at Shaare Zedek?

Sherut Leumi, or National Service, is something that I think is extremely important. I believe that it’s necessary to give back to the country that has given so much to me. Shaare Zedek is an amazing place and I feel like I’m really making a difference and helping people – not only the patients but also the staff, nurses and doctors alike. I enjoy seeing the difference I’m making first hand.

What department are you working in?

I work in Internal Medicine, and I absolutely love it there! I also temporarily work in the Covid ward.

Describe a typical day?

I get to the hospital between 06:30 and 07:00.

We are a team of three girls, myself, Tehila and Eraya, and we usually split the jobs. We start by going around the rooms and checking they all have hand sanitiser, gloves and ID stickers for the patient’s beds. We then sort through patient files and make sure that all personal information is there. This is also the time we take tests to the labs as quickly as possible.

At 08:00 we arrange breakfast and try to serve it to patients as quickly as possible. Once all food is distributed we make sure everyone is managing to eat, if they need help we feed them. We tend to finish at about 10:00 and then start taking patients to tests such as X-rays, MRIs etc. There are some tests that we have been trained to do ourselves such as E.C.Gs. By then (11:00) the girl doing the middle shift arrives.

At this point we start to sort out lunch, which we aim to get out between 12:30 and 13:00 and again feed the people who need help, we usually finish this at about 14:00. After lunch

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A day in the life

We have to be extremely careful when going into the Covid Unit. We do all the same things there as we would in Internal Medicine, but with Corona patients we have to do it while wearing protective gear, which makes even simple tasks take much longer. We also have to help patients’ families put their own gear on when they come to visit.

we make sure to sort out the ‘blood trolley’ which is used for the blood tests – it has all the equipment for the phlebotomists to use. The morning shift ends at 15:00.

The girl on the middle shift continues to help patients as much as she can, answering their “assistance” bells whilst ensuring medical supplies are tidy and all blood test forms that have been provided by the doctors are labelled correctly. This is important so the phlebotomists know exactly what tests need to be done the next morning. In addition, she sorts out any discharge paperwork and ensures it is all filed away properly, not forgetting helping those who may be visiting patients. At 17:30 she organises the dinner, ensuring it is served at 18:30 and at 19:00 the middle shift finishes.

The Bat Sherut who is responsible for the evening shift, finishes anything the girl on the middle shift didn’t manage to complete such as test forms and filing. As the hospital has been understaffed during the pandemic there are often times we work through a full twelvehour day together.

As of January 2022, our department has been classified as a Corona Ward in addition to Internal Medicine, so our day has been a bit different.

Have you always wanted to work in medicine?

I haven’t wanted to work in medicine my whole life, but last year I decided that I would like to be a nurse and next year I plan on going to nursing school!

What makes Shaare Zedek so special?

For me personally Shaare Zedek is a family tradition, I’m the 4th generation to volunteer here. It really is the hospital with a heart.

I asked to be placed in a department where no one else wanted to be. I felt that if I really wanted to spend my year giving that I wanted to be busy, I was placed in Internal Medicine B and I couldn’t be happier.

What is the one thing our supporters should know about Shaare Zedek?

I’ve never come across a hospital that treats people like an extended part of their family more than here at Shaare Zedek, and I am very proud to be part of it.

Photos of Lily with her colleagues and friends.

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A time to celebrate “To save a life is to save the world. Nowhere has this been clearer every day, so many times a day than at Shaare Zedek. For 120 years a hospital not just with a heart but with a soul that makes the world a better place. Congratulations to the staff and all the communities who support Shaare Zedek to ensure it never waivers in continuing to walk the path of excellence in all it’s endeavours.”

Jonathan & Sharona Paull

“We shall never forget the wonderful way you looked after two of our grandchildren. All our best wishes for the future.”

“Mazaltov to Shaare Zedek on its 120th Anniversary. This hospital shines continuous rays of light, expertise, care and hope from Jerusalem – with a profound local and international impact.”

Nigel Sloam

“Congratulations to Shaare Zedek for its achievements and contributions over the past 120 years, establishing itself as a leader in hospital care, medical ethics and research. I am certain the outstanding leadership will continue to build on these foundations for many years to come.”

Dan Adler

Susan & Tony Glass

“Mazaltov to Shaare Zedek on reaching the milestone of 120 years. This has been achieved despite many challenges, with renewed strength and enormous growth.

As the pandemic has shown, the staff go beyond the call of duty and the hospital is a beacon of light to all in Jerusalem.”

Margot Lew

“Shaare Zedek has become a world class Medical Centre whose importance and high reputation now extends well beyond Jersualem. This could not have happened without the extraordinary dedication and foresight of the leadership and everyone who has worked there over many years. With best wishes for the next 120 years.

Michael Sorkin

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A time to celebrate

“The remarkable development of the Hospital over the years has been very significantly influenced by generations of outstanding Leaders and medical expertise that matched progress in treatment. Wishing you continued success.”

Anthony Rosenfelder

“I wish the organisation Mazeltov and well done. They have provided phenomenal care for many both Jews and non-Jews alike. They have provided care for overseas visitors to the highest standards. May the continue for another 120 years in the same manner as the past 120 years.”

Michael Ziff

“Congratulations to the hospital with a heart which has treated the old, the sick, the wounded and the needy of Jerusalem and its environs for 120 years. Politics end at the gates of this, the oldest of Jeruslem’s hospitals. We wish Shaare Zedek to go from strength to strength with its remarkable doctors, nurses and lay leaders at its helm for generations to come.”

Pinchas & Margaret Rothem

“When the new Hospital was planned Archie Sherman became very friendly with Dr David Meyer who oversaw the building project and inspired the new building in its current location. At the time the Archie Sherman CT funded the construction of the nursing school and residence as a major part of the Hospital. The whole Sherman Family, including myself, attended the opening ceremony. Archie Sherman passed away in 1986 before and since that time we have been strong supporters. I became a friend of Prof. Jonathan Halevy who for nearly 30 years was the Director General. We have a very high opinion of the hospital which I fully believe to be the best in Jerusalem.

Congratulations to you all on your 120th anniversary. ” Michael & Jackie Gee

“Congratulations to Shaare Zedek on reaching 120.

This is a significant anniversary as our hospital continues to provide professional and inspirational care to so many.”

David & Gill Bernstein shaarezedek.org.uk

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I

Our Shaare Zedek story

t must be around 12-15 years ago when we first found out about Shaare Zedek and the wonderful work they do. We were attending an event in Prestwich to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, and there were various stalls around the hall. It was there we met Filis Rosenberg, who was the Shaare Zedek representative for the North at that time.

told that every child would have a sticker or other item; not like some places where a whole sheet would be given to just a few.

We ‘clicked’ straight away and she explained about Shaare Zedek and all the good work they did, along with the history of the hospital and examples of how the 3 religions worked together. I felt it upon my heart that I wanted to support in any way possible, when I could, with what I could afford, even though both of us were not working due to health conditions.

Although our situation hasn’t changed, we feel it is an honor to be able to regularly support what little we can; and will continue to do so for such a worthy cause.

We have over the years seen how the hospital has expanded and never cease to be amazed at how this is all done through the generosity of supporter’s donations, however small. The stories of patients in the magazine always bring home how valuable this is to the citizens of Israel.

In 2012 we had the opportunity to have a tour around the Children’s Ward, as well as a brief visit to other departments such as the Exercise Rehabilitation Room. I was moved to tears hearing about the ‘Pet’s Corner’ and how this helps severely traumatized children to heal.

We were also fortunate enough to see the specially trained therapist working with a young patient, who gained such comfort from stroking the guinea pig. We had taken some stickers and other goodies for the children, and were

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We felt it was such a privilege to be shown around to see firsthand what was being done at Shaare Zedek, and on subsequent visits, we have actively made sure we have visited the hospital again.

Pauline Roberts

Donor spotlight

C

120 years not out!

ongratulations to Shaare Zedek Hospital on reaching 120 years of age! We started our long association with Shaare Zedek Hospital in our very early days after we got married – in 1970 – when we used to get the calendars yearly and found them – and still do – very useful – even now living in Jerusalem in Israel and in our 52nd year of marriage.

In the summer of 1993 we started up our own charity committee with at the time just six of our friends – called Forest Friends Committee – due to living very near Epping Forest in Essex -to raise funds for Jewish Charities and one of the charities we supported was Shaare Zedek Hospital.

We put on various functions to raise money – Quizzes, Cabaret Suppers and lots of other functions. After some of the functions when arranging our holidays, we would arrange a vacation in Israel and arrange a visit to the hospital to present the money to them, which was gratefully received however much we presented. The hospitality we received was second to none and usually we

were given a tour of the hospital and often a lunch and can say it is a great hospital!

We first visited the hospital in 1988, during our first visit to Israel together and it was then just the one building and over the thirty or more years we have seen it grow to its current size and it is still growing and is now unrecognisable to the humble size it was.

Since then of course we have made many visits to the hospital over the years and they have a great dedicated team funding the hospital and are always pleased of any support they can get!

Having made Aliyah in January 2015 we both have had reasons to use their excellent services with one of us having two cataract operations done there successfully.

Over the last couple of years, they have dealt with the Pandemic wonderfully and have been an inspiration to everyone.

We wish the hospital another one hundred and twenty years!

Philip and Madelon Lawrence

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How to join the SZUK Celebrations Programme Our celebrations programme is a lovely way to get involved with Shaare Zedek UK and give something back to the people of Jerusalem. Make a donation to honour someone who is celebrating a special occasion (such as a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or bar/bat mitzvah) or share your simcha with us by asking for donations instead of gifts. You can also send a card to your friends and family for the holidays.

Gift Cards & Certificates

Plan your celebration with us

£10-£25

You can celebrate your big day in a special way by asking for donations to your favourite charity.

Your recipient will receive a gift card from a choice of designs

£25-£75

Your recipient will receive a certificate with a personalised message from you

£75+ Gifts

Your recipient will receive a Golden Book certificate with a personalised message from you. This special message will be inscribed in our Golden Book at the hospital which you are welcome to read on your next visit to Jerusalem.

We will help you choose a meaningful project at the hospital to support and help promote your fundraising with promotional materials including a personalised celebration page on our website. With our personal fundraising pages, you can create a customized, secure web page to promote your cause and collect online donations in support of Shaare Zedek.

It’s free, it’s easy to do and we’ve got tips and tools to help ensure your fundraiser is a success.

To set up a personal fundraising page visit our website and register or contact the office and we will be happy to help get you up and running.

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Shaare the Love is our initiative aimed at Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs who want to do something meaningful to mark their special occasion. An act of kindness at this special time of their lives will also bring hope to the patients of Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.

Celebrations

We are also fortunate enough to be able to match an individual fundraising total (up to £500) thanks to the very generous support of The Humanitarian Trust.

Shaare Zedek receives no government funding for new equipment and facilities, so we rely solely on our donors’ generosity for the hospital to operate so successfully. We are looking to the next generation of Shaare Zedek supporters to start their fundraising journey with us through Shaare the Love.

It is easy to help us save lives: 1. Set a challenge 2. Choose a hospital department to support.

3. Set up a fundraising page (we will help with this) and ask friends and family for their support.

Recognition for your support All fundraisers receive a certificate for their efforts and mention in Heartbeat, as well as a feature on our website. For gifts of £75 and over, the fundraiser’s name is inscribed in our Golden Book of Supporters in the hospital in Jerusalem and for larger gifts, a plaque is affixed to the wall of the relevant department at the hospital.

For more information please call 020 8201 8933 or email at info@shaarezedek.org.uk shaarezedek.org.uk

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Thank you for celebrating with us

Thank you to all our wonderful supporters who have chosen to share their celebrations with us. Mazal Tov and wishing you another year of good times and celebrations ahead.

Birth of Children

2nd Bar Mitzvah

Elijah to Michelle & Aaron Abraham Jacob Ori to Hannah & Jamie Masters Yaelle Sadie to Mr & Mrs D Menahem

David Freeman

Birth of Grandchildren Elijah Abraham Grandson of Kitty & Neville Abraham Jacob Uri Masters Grandson of Joanne & Philip Masters Judi Rose (Yehudit Shoshana) Granddaughter of Rebecca & David Menahem Sofia Alayah Menahem Granddaughter of Rebecca & David Menahem

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Oliver Grandson of Mr J Kay Josh Jay Zoe Starr Raph Stern

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Birthdays Margaret Bis Allan Cowan Stephen Feiner Helen Freeman Cynthia Granston Werner Lachs David Landy Rita Lebetkin Rita Levy David Menahem Ann Shapir Michael Sherbourne Todd Zalut

50th Birthday Jonathan Burg

60th Birthday Andrew Garfield (Avraham Pinchas Dovid)

70th Birthday Eric Brunner Fran Farnorth Esther Levi Michael Nemeth Bernard Oster

Phillip Rapport Doreen Samuels Lillian Swimer Marilyn White

75th Birthday Lewis Citron Elaine Hyman Louise Morris Alex Portnoy

80th Birthday Maureen Brooke Rachel Harris Jackie Luben Janice Parkus Sheila Solomons Marlene Sender Tony Silverdale Moshe Stemmer

Celebrations

81st Birthday

Wedding Anniversary

Sarah Davis

Betty & Sonny Kosky David & Rebecca Menahem

83rd Birthday Lawrence Gorsden

90th Birthday Peter Breiss Brian Hornick Tonia Kaufman Hilda Perrin Sam Mocton Helen Trober

Anthea & Alan Levene

Ruby (40th) Wedding Anniversary Sandra & Gary Simmons

91st Birthday Zena Linz

Esther & Sass Levi

100th Birthday

Golden (50th) Wedding Anniversary

Weddings Shani & Shlomie Carmen & Dan Olivia & Nir Darnish

Linda & Trevor Bell Irene & Colin Berkovitch Adèle & Martin Brownstein Ruth & Lawrence Guyer Caroline & Roy Hayim Mandy & Larry Kaye Carole & Robert Levy Anne & Dovzi Lopian Brenda & Melvyn Osen Kathy & Alan Peters Donna & Peter Tobias Linda & Stephen White Anna & Simon Wiseman

Diamond (60th) Wedding Anniversary Loretta & John D’Lange Sandra & Stanley Jacobs Micaela & Alan Levine Linda & Martin Lewin Avis & David Weitzman

Blue Sapphire (65th) Wedding Anniversary Left: Helen Trober Above: Betty & Sonny Kosky Above right: Carmen & Dan

Hilda & Bernard Perrin

Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversary

Sapphire (45th) Wedding Anniversary

Hyman Calvert

Platinum (70th) Wedding Anniversary

Elaine & Louis Cohen Ruth & Bertram Mindell Freda & Joe Skovron

Photo © Krishanthi

“We celebrated our wedding in 2021 and chose Shaare Zedek as our charity for guests to donate to because we wanted to support an inspirational Israeli organisation that is a leader in its field and demonstrates compassion for all, regardless of race, religion or nationality.

To us Shaare Zedek Medical Centre is just that.”

Carmen & Dan shaarezedek.org.uk

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Always in our hearts We are extremely grateful to our generous supporters who have left a lasting legacy by remembering Shaare Zedek in their will.

We are also grateful to those who have remembered loved ones by giving the gift of life to the people of Jerusalem through a Permanent Yahrzeit Programme.

Mr Bernard Lindsey Mrs Bessie Barnett Mr Arnold Cohen Mrs Deborah Corby Miss Anna Goldberg Mr Barry Goldstone Mrs Barbara Rosenblatt Dr Henry Cohn Mrs Hannah Hersh Mr Adrian Mandel

Mrs Barbara Michaels Mrs Margot Spiers Mr Merton Seigleman Mr David Young Mr Michael Karny Mr Wolff Caplan Mr Bernard Lee Mr David Green Mrs Syliva Cohen Mr Harold Stein

Can there be a nobler and more fitting tribute to commemorate a life than through ensuring the health and wellbeing of future generations?

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Lifecycle giving

Permanent Yahrzeit Programme The Shaare Zedek Permanent Yahrzeit Programme provides an opportunity to remember and honour those we have loved and lost by providing a potentially life-saving gift to others.

We have been honouring these memories for over 100 years and each name will continue to be honoured in perpetuity in Jerusalem.

For a one off gift of £800, the Permanent Yahrzeit Programme ensures that Kaddish will be recited every year on the anniversary of your loved one’s passing, with an annual reminder of the Yahrzeit send to relevant friends or family. On that day, the name of the departed will be recited during services when Kaddish is said at our synagogue inside the hospital.

Advance Yahrzeit Programme’s can be arranged for yourself or a loved one, providing the comfort of knowing that Kaddish will be said annually in perpetuity for you or a loved one.

For more information on our PYP Programme please contact simi@shaarezedek.org.uk

2022 Memorial Book You may have noticed that with this years Heartbeat magazine we have included our Memorial Book booking form for our Memorial Book.

The Shaare Zedek shaarezedek.org.uk Memorial Book, is a special publication that we produce each year.

Booking Form

5783

It is sent out to supporters between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and includes the names of our supporters’ loved ones who are no longer with us. It is a lovely way to remember and honour loved ones at this important time of year, whilst supporting the lifesaving work of the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.

Our Memorial Book has grown to include moving personal stories and testimonies from supporters, about their loved ones and is an affordable and meaningful way to support our special hospital.

If you would like to submit a name for our Memorial Book this year please complete the enclosed form, call 020 8201 8933 or email gail@shaarezedek.org.uk

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Your legacy, our lifeline: Leaving a legacy gift in your Will Shaare Zedek is a world-class medical facility, yet the hospital relies on legacies and donations for building its departments, for equipment and for the technological innovations and medical breakthroughs for which it is known. By leaving a legacy in your Will to Shaare Zedek UK, you are ensuring that the hospital serves Jerusalem, both now and in the future.

Every pound the hospital receives makes a difference. Your legacy will ensure that we can: Replace worn and outdated equipment Refurbish and upgrade essential life-saving areas of the hospital Provide nursing scholarships and specialised training Research and develop cutting edge medicine, techniques and treatments Respond to the needs of Jerusalem’s growing population Did you know there are huge tax advantages to leaving a charitable gift in your Will?

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Types of legacy gifts There are different types of legacies that you may wish to consider including: Pecuniary - simply state the specific amount you would like to give and write it into your will.

Percentage Share - a more flexible option as the actual amount given will vary, dependant on the size of your estate at the time.

Residuary - this option ensures that your nearest and dearest are taken care of first by referring to an amount or a percentage from the balance (or ‘residue’) of your estate once your other financial commitments have been addressed.

Specific Item - some people choose to leave an asset such as a property, shares or investments, an item of antique furniture or a valuable piece of jewellery.

Tax benefits Including Shaare Zedek in your Will is easy and is not time consuming or expensive to arrange.

Your gift will support the work of the hospital but comes under the UK’s legal jurisdiction so will therefore impact on your inheritance tax status.

However you choose to leave your legacy, as long as your legacy is left to “Shaare Zedek UK”, which is a registered UK charity (registration no.

1143272), its value will not be included when valuing your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

In addition, the heirs of an estate where at least 10% is bequeathed to charity could benefit from a 10% reduction in the amount of inheritance tax that they would have to pay. So leaving a legacy could benefit everyone involved.

Lifecycle giving

We understand that if you decide to leave a gift in your Will, it is a private matter, so we won’t ask you to tell us. If you do decide to tell us, it gives us the opportunity to thank you for your impactful gift, and to discuss any wishes

Help us to provide Hope for the future

you have for how funds are spent. These are some of our most meaningful conversations with donors and we would be honoured to be the guardians of your legacy. We hope you are inspired by the thought that your gift can really make a huge difference to our patients both now and in the future.

If you would like to remember Shaare Zedek UK in your Will, we always recommend that you speak to a Solicitor. If you would like to know more about leaving a gift in your Will, including our free will writing service*, please contact our Executive Director, Simi Ben Hur, for a confidential discussion. All gifts, regardless of size are greatly appreciated and will be acknowledged and honoured.

Registered Charity No. 1143272

Hope is a precious gift. It allows us to stand in the face of adversity and believe change is possible. The impact you can have on somebody’s life is immense. No matter how big or small, a gift in your Will makes a valuable difference.

For 120 years Shaare Zedek has provided Hope for Us, Hope for Israel, and Hope for the World...

We rely on donations and gifts in wills to enable our lifesaving work to continue.

To find out more about leaving a Legacy to Shaare Zedek UK please contact Simi Ben Hur on 020 8201 8933 or at Simi@shaarezedek.org.uk

shaarezedek.org.uk

*terms and conditions apply

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Ways to get involved Advertise in the calendar The Shaare Zedek calendar is one of the most loved calendars of the UK community.

Each year we hear of tales from supporters Sept 2021–Oct 2022 Tishri–Ellul 5782 who “cannot live without it”. By donating to Shaare Zedek you can include your own shaarezedek.org.uk message, advert or celebration in our next edition. If this is something you are interested in doing then please contact katie@shaarezedek.org.uk

calendar

Join the Shaare Zedek Theatre Club

We are very pleased to have Jeremy Feldman signed up and committed to raising funds for Shaare Zedek UK at this years London Marathon.

Jeremy has completed a 10k for us in the past and this year has set his sights a bit further. Please sponsor his efforts by visiting his fundraising page on our website www.shaarezedek.org.uk or calling the office.

Misconceptions about fertility We are looking forward to hosting a webinar with Chana UK featuring two special guests from Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. To register your interest email info@shaarezedek.org.uk Charity Number: 1143272

Are you an avid theatre goer? We are hoping to re start our theatre club in the coming months. If you are interested in finding out more or joining our next trip please get in touch at info@shaarezedek.org.uk

Sponsor our Marathon Runner

You can donate to Shaare Zedek UK by phone, online, or direct to our bank: HSBC Sort Code 40-03-11 Account no. 31622927

Shaare Zedek UK 4 Theobald Court, Theobald Street, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 4RN 020 8201 8933 | shaarezedek.org.uk