Heartbeat 2023

new beginnings Hope & heart beat

Blessed to serve...

Dear friends,

Iwelcome this chance to update all our friends of Shaare Zedek in the UK on the truly exciting and potential-filled developments which are ongoing here at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. As has always been our vision, progress is defined by our historic desire to respond to the growing needs of the community we are blessed to serve.

When Shaare Zedek opened its doors 120 years ago, the hospital consisted of 20 beds and 40 cows. Within the next few years, we’ll have grown to some 1,500 beds and be home to dozens of biotech and hi-tech companies. Our vision is to make Shaare Zedek into a centre of advanced technological development that combines the best of clinical medicine with innovative research and scientific accomplishment.

In November 2022 we began treating patients in our new Helmsley Cancer Centre, a remarkable building with an award-winning design. It has been designed to place the patient experience at the very centre and later this year we will be opening our newly expanded Department of Emergency Medicine. We know that Israel needs to already be planning to respond to the challenges that

will define our national healthcare in twenty years from now. This is specifically what we at Shaare Zedek are involved with, with a strategic and ambitious plan to ensure that the people of the greater Jerusalem region will be afforded the medical response they need and deserve.

As always, I welcome the chance to salute our remarkable team of over 5,000 doctors, nurses, researchers, administrators and maintenance and support staff that call Shaare Zedek their professional home. They are the heart that allows this growth and we all owe them a great debt of gratitude for their dedication every day and night.

I also welcome the chance to express our thanks to you as our partners and caring for the people of Jerusalem and Israel. On their behalf I want to share my gratitude and deepest thanks for your continued support. I wish you and your families all the best of health and happiness.

Professor Ofer Merin Director General Shaare Zedek Medical Centre

The hospital with a heart...

Dear friends,

Ihope you are managing to stay well and warm over the winter. Here at Shaare Zedek, we have started the year with many new beginnings which we share in Heartbeat with you.

We are delighted to have the doors of the hospital fully open again. We hope to welcome as many of you to visit in 2023 as possible. Some of our visitors have shared their reflections with us on pages 26-29.

All our visitors have been incredibly impressed by the new Cancer Centre. I was fortunate enough to be visiting the week of opening and remember fondly the staff, who spoke through tears, about the impact they could see the new facility was already having on their patients and urged me to thank our supporters who have made it happen. You can read more on page 6.

Here in the UK, we are very excited to welcome our new Chairman, Jonathan Paull. I first met Jonathan in 2014 when he chose to sail the Atlantic to raise money for us by way of thanks for the care his mother received in her final days. I knew then that he was an inspirational champion of our charity and I look forward to working with him and introducing him to you all. We bid a fond farewell to our outgoing Chairman, Michael Sorkin, who has loyally served us for 16 years. It has been a pleasure working with Michael. You can read more about the impact of Michael’s tenure and get to know Jonathan on page 4.

In times of change, Shaare Zedek remains the hospital with a heart. We have some remarkable patient stories to share. On page 10, you will read about Anna, who was

airlifted from war-torn Ukraine for life-saving treatment at the hospital.

You will read about Nurse Ariel (page 17), whose proactive approach to his work put him in the right place at the right time to save a life. You will read about a rare case where our doctors delivered a baby whilst simultaneously saving the mum having a stroke (page 12) amongst other stories.

I love meeting people connected to our hospital who want to share their stories. I was fortunate enough to meet 90-year-old retired nurse Levannah Goldberg whose stories of working with Shaare Zedek legends Dr Wallach and Schwester Selma are shared on page 18.

We are always proud when Shaare Zedek’s expertise has a direct impact in the UK. On page 22 you can read about our collaborations in the fight against cancer.

You will also read reflections from Members of Parliament who have visited the hospital on learning visits. I look forward to sharing more news of UK collaborations as they develop. Do make sure to sign up to our online newsletter for the most up to date information and inspiration.

Heartbeat is all about wonderful people, innovative technology and some truly miraculous work. Please enjoy reading about our latest achievements, knowing your support and legacies are part of the miracle work we do. Thank you.

Simi Ben Hur Executive Director Shaare Zedek UK

Welcome to Jonathan Paull the

new Chairman of Shaare Zedek

UK

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Jonathan Paull has been elected as the new Chairman for Shaare Zedek UK, taking over the position from Michael Sorkin. Michael has been in the role with Anthony Rosenfelder as Deputy chair for 16 years.

In that time there have been huge changes in the world of medicine, technology, and fundraising. Israel has faced 5 different wars. The world has faced financial uncertainty and financial crises and we have all lived through a global pandemic.

In that time, Shaare Zedek has doubled in size to a 1,000-bed hospital, our patient numbers have grown at a similar rate, birth rates have tripled, and we have seen the development of the scope and size of our services in the expansion of departments, the creation of new ones and the huge project of building the Children’s Hospital and the new Helmsley

Cancer Centre. In this time, SZUK has raised over £40 million to support these incredible achievements. This is a legacy for all of us to be proud of and we thank Michael and Anthony for their support and hard work on behalf of Shaare Zedek UK.

2023 marks a new beginning for Shaare Zedek UK and we are extremely excited to welcome Jonathan and looking forward to working together in the years to come.

Jonathan has spent the last 20 years as the Jewish tutor at Eton College. Although he did not come from a teaching background he has been able to pass on an enthusiasm, and engender a passion for both Judaism and Israel, both religious and historical.

Jonathan guided many Jewish Etonians on their spiritual journey, some of them only reconnecting with their history and heritage because of Jonathan’s impact.

Jonathan has a very personal connection to Shaare Zedek and the UK charity. We first met him back in 2014 when he was planning an Atlantic sail in memory of his mother and in aid of the charity. We knew then just how committed he was and as the years have gone by his commitment and dedication to the cause has grown.

As Chair of Shaare Zedek UK Jonathan hopes to bring together the various threads of experience he has, from bringing the Jewish world to Eton and beyond and from a career running business in diverse industries. Jonathan’s hopes are to nurture and grow the charity and reengage those we may have lost along the way.

“There is a generation of Jews growing up that do not sympathise on mass as a community with Israel. Sadly, the BDS message has influenced young Jews on campus and through social media. But in this we also have an opportunity to be a small cog in changing that narrative that has indoctrinated their social media feeds and at the same time showing why and how supporting Shaare Zedek is the right thing to do… the ok

thing to do. Even in a world where they don’t prioritise giving to Israeli causes.

“So, I aim to lead change that refocuses our efforts to send a new message about why they should support Shaare Zedek. And this is very much to para phrase J F Kennedy, not about what you can do for Israel but what you can do to help Israel help and improve the world. Through medical technology, surgical procedures, and research that Shaare Zedek excels at and to which, if its properly funded the world will indeed benefit. Together with Shaare Zedek you can play your part in making a difference.”

Jonathan has already visited the hospital several times and during his most recent trip, met with Professors Ofer Merin and Jonathan Halevy as well as a number of doctors. He also had a tour around the new Helmsley Cancer Centre.

He is excited about what the future holds as are we and we are sure you will join us in welcoming him and wishing him Mazel Tov on his new role.

Ushering in a new era of cancer care

The new Helmsley Cancer Centre officially opened its doors to patients in November 2022. This momentous occasion marks a new era of cancer care in Jerusalem and one of the most momentous developments in Shaare Zedek’s 120-year history.

The stunning building represents the culmination of years of planning and construction. Designed by Canadian-based architectural firm Farrow Partners and Jerusalem based RubinsteinOfer Architects it has already earned an international architecture award and is sure to become a Jerusalem icon.

The building has been designed to place the patient experience at the centre. Jonathan Halevy, President of Shaare Zedek shared, “The vision of this centre is inspired by our recognition that the emotional needs of cancer patients are often as important as their practical and medical ones.”

Standing at six stories high, the large open spaces are infused with natural light from a massive skylight,

allowing light to flood the treatment rooms and open spaces even when underground. The beautiful use of wood and the indoor garden bring natural elements and a softness in to the building which are calming and therapeutic.

As the trees and plants grow they will be seen from each level of the building, giving the feeling of outdoors, indoors.

Professor Ofer Merin, Director General of Shaare Zedek was among the first to welcome the patients into the new centre. “This is a truly emotional moment that can provide the countless people involved in making it happen with a sense of deep satisfaction. The greatest beneficiaries will be the medical community of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas who will be able to count our cancer care centre on par with the world’s leading facilities.”

Spread out over more than 12,000 square meters, the new cancer centre provides a wholly comprehensive approach to oncology care which begins with the Radiotherapy Institute, housed underground to accommodate the extremely heavy and specific engineering requirements for radiation care. The Institute also includes a CT Simulator which is a critical tool for mapping patient care. The upper floors house multiple treatment areas for outpatient care including an all new Oncology Day Hospital and multiple research and teaching facilities with seminar rooms and a dedicated auditorium.

Professor Nir Peled, Director of the Oncology Institute added, “This Centre positions Shaare Zedek to provide leading oncology care defined by advanced technology and compassionate medicine and we have worked to recruit some of the industry’s leading physicians and technicians to staff this new facility. This truly ushers in a new era in care.”

“This truly ushers in a new era in care.”

Professor Nir Peled, Director of the Oncology Institute

Evacuated from war-ravaged Ukraine, young woman’s life saved at Shaare Zedek

In early 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine, 18-year-old Anna Kuzma developed a temperature, which quickly spread throughout her body, causing severe convulsions and a brain infection.

Acombined mission ensued, involving Hatzolah Air and Zaka with medical support provided by the Trauma team from Shaare Zedek to get Anna safely to Israel for treatment. Anna arrived at Shaare Zedek and was admitted to the Helmsley Neurological Institute with her condition identified as extremely critical. Doctors feared she had limited chances of survival.

Over the coming weeks and months, she was treated with an innovative approach under the care of Dr Stefan Mausbach, Director of our Neurological Intensive Care Unit and Dr Roni Eichel, Director of the Department of Neurology. Dr Mausbach explains, “In Ukraine Anna developed a fever and was treated by a family doctor. After a week she lost consciousness and started to experience convulsions. When she arrived at Shaare Zedek we carried out a procedure

under deep anaesthesia to lower the brain activity and stop the convulsions.”

For three months, Anna remained at Shaare Zedek in serious condition. Dr Mausbach and his team were convinced the outcome was not going to be good. “When I received the brain MRI, I said to myself there is no way she will survive this. The damage was so significant, usually it’s something from which there is no way back.” However, to everyone’s amazement, slowly but surely Anna’s condition started to stabilize.

When Anna arrived at Shaare Zedek all the imaging scans indicated doctors were treating a young woman who was nearing the end of her life. Dr Roni Eichel shared, “At first, our impressions were that we would not be able to save her. This was a rare case of a medical condition – a febrile illness that quickly develops into epilepsy that is difficult to treat. In most

cases the patient suffers severe brain damage and, in many cases, there is a risk of death”.

Despite those initial deep concerns, the medical teams never gave up and used intensive care approaches which had never been used in Israel before. This dedication led to what many would have thought the unthinkable. Three months later, Anna regained full consciousness and a high level of overall functioning and was able to be discharged from hospital. A story of hope, triumph and great pride to all who were involved in her care.

Yulia, Anna’s mother shared, “Anna’s treatment is not yet completely finished, but now her condition is much better. We continue rehabilitation at the hospital and it will take some time to fully recover. We are grateful to the doctors and especially to Dr Mausbach who saved her life”

Thank you for the support you gave in response to the war in Ukraine - your money went to helping patients directly affected, including Anna.

Shaare Zedek doctors deliver baby while simultaneously saving mum from a stroke

This patient has chosen to remain anonymous and will be referred to as ‘A’.

In the ninth month of her pregnancy, during a workshop that she was facilitating, 38-year-old ‘A’ from Jerusalem suffered a stroke and was rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.

Suddenly, ‘A’ couldn’t speak properly, she couldn’t get the words out of her mouth and she knew something wasn’t right. Thankfully one of the participants of her workshop knew what she was witnessing. She recognised all the signs from having seen her father experience a stroke, so immediately called an ambulance. Within minutes, a team of seven doctors were

working on a plan to save ‘A’s’ life whilst preparing for a Caesarean section to ensure the safe delivery of her baby girl.

Dr Roni Eichel, head of the neurology department at Shaare Zedek said It’s a case that he and his team had never experienced

before as cases of strokes among women poised to give birth are rare.

“When there are strokes in young women they are normally after pregnancy, but not just before birth,” he said. “The drama for the doctors of a pregnant stroke patient is high. You want to do everything to save the patient, while also doing everything to save the baby. That’s not easy.”

Doctors were worried about the health of the unborn baby. Dr Eichel shared, “We stabilized the mother enough to take her for a Caesarean section, but she still had some signs of a stroke. There was a risk that after the Caesarean section her neurological situation could get worse, but we were confident based on the scans that she would be okay.”

Doctors and nurses worked fervently and thankfully delivered the baby within three hours of the mother’s arrival at the hospital.

Dr Eichel shared, “There was a great deal of pressure on us; after all we were responsible for not only one life but for two. Afterwards, the whole medical team was very emotional, and the next morning, when I came to the ICU and saw them, I felt a lot of joy.” He believes that the quick thinking of the workshop participant who

spotted the stroke and called an ambulance saved the lives of both the mother and the baby, adding that he hopes it inspires others to be vigilant.

‘A’ shared, “I thank g-d for saving my baby and keeping me safe and sending good people to look after me. I thank the professional staff and dedicated doctors and nurses at Shaare Zedek who took care of my baby when I was not able to.”

Thankfully mother and baby are now recovering at home and both are well. ‘A’ agreed to share her story in the hope of raising awareness of strokes and the importance of spotting the early signs.

Main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:

FACE – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.

ARMS – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.

SPEECH – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.

TIME – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

Photography © Ezra Landau

When terror strikes

The Emergency Room at Shaare Zedek is always busy. A worried mother pushes a buggy with a crying baby in it, an adult with the help of walking sticks tries to hurry to get in line, an ambulance arrives with an injured person from a car accident and his family are close behind. This is a usual scenario; all walks of life and all situations arrive at Shaare Zedek. However, in recent months more than 50 wounded have arrived at the doors of the hospital from various terrorist attacks.

stabbing victim who was rescued from Jerusalem’s Givat Hmbatar neighbourhood, wounded from the shootings in Kiryat Arba and the explosion at the entrance to Jerusalem and then only last month Shaare Zedek treated victims of the devastating attack at a Synagogue in the City of David area of Jerusalem where 7 people were killed. When terror strikes in Jerusalem, our staff are on the front line.

Sara Goldberg who is the deputy head nurse of the Emergency Department shared, “Victims of terror attacks come here all the time, this is normal for us, but when there is an explosion, it is more of a challenge. There are more wounded, the information we get from the field is less clear and we must carry on as usual.”

Many of the staff of Shaare Zedek have worked in the hospital a long time and remember what it was like during the intifadas. When terror strikes again it conjures up emotions that they thought had been laid to rest.

At the entrance to the emergency department hangs a picture of the late Dr David Applebaum, former director of the department. In 2003, Dr. Applebaum was murdered in the bomb attack at Cafe Hillel in the German Colony in Jerusalem, along with five other people, including his late daughter Nava.

Sara shares, “Dr Applebaum would always come to the hospital when there were terrorist attacks. Sometimes even in pyjamas. He was very charismatic and well-loved at the hospital. That day in 2003, we waited and waited for him to turn up for work, and he did not show up. The feeling of someone I worked with being killed in an incident like this, still affects me today.”

Sara is 54 years old, a single mother of 4-year-old twins and an 11-year-old boy. In the morning of November 23rd, 2022, she was still at home, before a shift. “I got a call to announce that there was a multi-casualty incident. I told my son that he was not going to school and that he would stay at home instead, and I went to the hospital. Our team is very skilled, and we have procedures in place that we use to guide us through an incident like this. However, no matter how prepared we are, it is still emotionally challenging and affects us.

“You never get used to having to tell the father of a boy that his son was killed in a terrorist attack. Or tell the family that the father was killed. It does not matter how long you have been in the job. Nursing staff in an operating room, are accustomed to

seeing difficult sights, but a terrorist event does something else. It is a threat to our normal life.”

Dr. Todd Zalut, agrees that an event such as the attack of November 23rd reminds him and his team of the second intifada. The fact that he has seen quite a few wounded throughout his years of work helps him, he says, to maintain relative composure in handling the incident. “You have no choice but to treat. You mostly think about work, and when the stress is over, you keep trying to get back to normal as soon as possible.”

Of the 23 victims from the November 23rd attack, 6 were treated for varying degrees of physical injuries and 17 needed to be treated for shock. Sadly, not everyone could be saved and 16-year-old Yeshiva student Aryeh Schupak z”l arrived in the Trauma Department in extremely critical condition, with multiple wounds. The staff fought to stabilise him, but he sadly succumbed to his wounds.

His close friend Elchanan Biton survived the attack and as he was being discharged from hospital, he remembered his friend,

“Aryeh was a young man who loved to learn and loved to help and in return was loved by all. I tried to pull him to the side but quickly realised that he had been killed by the blast.”

Elchanan’s family shared, “Elchanan has been through a deeply traumatic experience, but he arrived in a place that introduced him to the best possible messengers of caring who enveloped him with all the treatments that have allowed him to recover. We are very thankful to the doctors and nurses for their dedication and holy work.”

Shaare Zedek is an incredibly special place. To walk the corridors of the hospital you meet people that genuinely care about their work. People who are passionate and dedicated and want to help to save lives. What we must not forget is that they are human beings who must process trauma daily. Some are reminded of a time that they thought was long forgotten, some cannot forget the face of the innocent boy whose life they tried to save and there are staff who cannot sleep at night and carry a lot of difficulty who require psychological support.

These are the staff of Shaare Zedek; they are, caregivers, hope makers, warriors. They are Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.

This article has been shortened from a press piece that was published on israelhayom.co.il

Nurse’s chance discovery saves a hospital visitor’s life

Raphael Darr, was visiting his wife late at night at Shaare Zedek when he started to experience severe chest pain and was struggling to breath. By some miracle, Ariel Halevy a nurse in the Department of General Surgery was walking through the department and heard very noticeable sounds of ‘distressed breathing’ coming from a patient room.

The room wasn’t one that Ariel had been assigned to as a nurse, but he knew there was no time to waste. Rushing in to the room, Ariel found Mr Darr desperately trying to breathe while holding tightly to the armchair

he was sitting in. He could see that Mr Darr was losing consciousness and called out for help. Thanks to Ariel’s quick actions and the help of two fellow nurses, Aviya and Racheli, Mr Darr was quickly transferred to the Emergency Department for immediate attention. He was then transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, where further tests revealed he was experiencing a cardiac arrest which required his heart to be shocked three times, as well as being resuscitated.

In large part due to Ariel’s early intervention and professional sense that something was wrong, three days later Mr Darr was discharged from hospital in good health. He is now able to continue to support his wife who has been cared for at Shaare Zedek for a number of months.

Mr Darr says he has very little recollection of what happened that night but is so thankful to Ariel for being there to save his life. “I had no prior indications that this was coming as I was in overall good health. My wife had been hospitalized for several weeks after detecting an intestinal tumour and I have spent many hours alongside her bed praying for her recovery. I know for sure that if Ariel hadn’t gotten to me in time, by morning there would have been no one to be treating. Hashem performed a huge miracle and sent Ariel as our angel at the very right place and time.”

Dr Dmitry Dratva who treated Mr Darr says that he was extremely lucky and this was certainly a case where the patient’s life was saved by the awareness of the nursing staff in the Surgical Department. “Mr Darr was released home in good condition, and we will continue to closely monitor his progress and wish him and his wife a full and complete recovery.”

Levanah Goldberg has a special relationship with Shaare Zedek

Now aged 90, she lives with one of her daughters Edna in Nofei Prat near Jerusalem. At the tender age of 3 Levanah ran away from Syria with her family. They were unable to take any of their possessions with them as they journeyed to Israel settling just a stone’s throw from the old Shaare Zedek building on Jaffa Street.

At the age of 15 Levanah wanted to help her family who were extremely poor, so she went out to work to bring home an income to support her parents. She started working at Shaare Zedek, in the dining room serving the nurses and medical staff and she also spent time working in the Pharmacy, dispensing medicines.

When Levanah reached the age of 18, she started studying to become a qualified nurse with the incredible help of Professor Wallach, the Director of the hospital at the time. He arranged for Levanah to receive a financial loan from the hospital to help with her studies, which she repaid every month from her salary once she was earning enough.

Levanah remembers Professor Wallach being incredibly dedicated to his patients, he cared for many in the contagious disease department and saw many cases of patients with diphtheria. He did not have his own children,

but looked after all the children that arrived at Shaare Zedek like they were his own, he cared from the heart.

Levanah worked at Shaare Zedek her whole life before retiring, often taking night shifts, or working on Shabbat because this paid a higher salary. As a single mother, her husband passed away very young, Levanah had to raise her seven children single handedly.

The role of a nurse is incredibly tough, especially when you have young children, but Levanah put her heart and soul into her work. She cared deeply for her patients and for Shaare Zedek and during her time at the hospital she encountered some remarkable patients.

During her time at the hospital Schwester Selma was the head nurse and Levanah remembers her “as a little lady, who was very nice and kind, if she saw anything dropped on the floor, she would pick it up and wouldn’t ask anyone else to do it.”

Schwester Selma’s sense of pride and dedication rubbed off on Levanah who truly is a remarkable woman. Working night shifts was not easy, but Levanah not only wanted to provide for her children, but to be present in their lives too and so working at night meant she could see her children during the day and to spend valuable time with them.

Levanah worked in Gynaecology, ENT, Paediatrics, in pretty much every department the hospital had. In those days it wasn’t very big and so she took the approach that wherever there was work she would be there, she got stuck in and just got on with things. One of the most difficult departments to work in during a night shift was Ophthalmology. “It was worrying because patients were bandaged and couldn’t see, so there was a lot of responsibility during the night, to make sure they didn’t fall over or have an accident.”

Levanah loved her work, and the patients loved her, she was well respected because of her dedication and only recently her daughter Chaya

took her back to Jerusalem to visit the area where Levannah lived and worked. Incredibly in the streets of Jerusalem Chaya was overwhelmed with the incredible amount of people that approached her mother. People who recognised Levannah and reminded her of the time she looked after them as patients in Shaare Zedek.

Levanah shared with us, “To be a nurse you have to love and care for people,” and she hasn’t stopped caring. In 2022 Levana celebrated her 90th birthday and her family chose to make a big donation in celebration of this wonderful occasion, and what did they choose to donate the money to? Nursing scholarships, a fitting tribute to a wonderful woman who gave so much of her life to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre and continues giving today.

A place of accessibility & inclusion

Pnina Margolis had her first baby at Shaare Zedek in 2019 –nothing unusual about that. However, Pnina was born with visual and hearing impairments and has an implant in each ear.

During her first pregnancy

Pnina was experiencing dizzy spells. When she arrived at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, it was identified that she had developed an infection in her hearing implants which later led to temporary paralysis in her lower body. Pnina had to be hospitalised for several months. However, Pnina is one of life’s fighters.

Pnina had her baby by C-Section and after a long hospitalisation where she was cared for by a multidisciplinary team including staff from Gynaecology, ENT, Neurology & Physical Therapy – Pnina was back on her feet within months, enjoying being a mother and training with a special running group for the visually impaired.

Fast forward to 2022 and Pnina came back to Shaare Zedek to have her second baby. Unfortunately, things weren’t as straightforward as she had hoped as she was diagnosed with severe Covid and a kidney infection. During this time, she needed to remain in hospital to be monitored. Pnina was looked after by a wonderful team of experts who helped her through some difficult times.

the professional birth experience and the high level of accessibility and adjustments that were made to give her everything she needed throughout the birth and in the days that followed.

“The team were so well organised, thanks to Hila Stern and Uri Levi who planned everything from the moment I was hospitalised in the Corona department. At the start of my surgery a translator was not available and so my mother was allowed to accompany me until one arrived. The c-section went well and afterwards I received daily help and support from the nursing staff who helped me rest and recover. At home I have a cry detector that wakes me up through a vibration pillow. If the baby cries the device recognizes a crying and grumbling sound and then I wake up, but in the hospital, I needed the staff to hear the baby crying and wake me up and they did so with immense joy and love. I thank all the multidisciplinary team that treated me devotedly along the way. The girls were born healthy and without disabilities I am so happy for the privilege of being a mother and grateful for the privilege to give birth in a place where accessibility was the most important thing, alongside professionalism and humanity.”

Through adversity

Pnina was blessed to give birth to her second daughter and one of the most important things she said, was just how prepared the staff were. She highlighted how well the staff managed a visually and hearingimpaired patient in a special letter. She thanked staff for

We wish Pnina a huge Mazeltov and thank her for sharing her story with us

The battle against cancer: the unsung army on the front line

We love sharing examples of how Shaare Zedek’s work has an impact here in the UK. Our BRCA research has led to a new NHS initiative that will save lives. Our Executive director, Simi, is involved in supporting community initiatives to roll out the programme and wrote this piece for the Jewish News.

From research to prevention to caring for a loved one to raising funds, we really are all in this together when it comes to fighting the disease.

Cancer touches all our lives in some way. We know that both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews are at a higher risk than the wider population of having a BRCA gene mutation. These genetic mutations are associated with a higher risk of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer in men and women.

As sobering as these statistics can seem at first, having this information is empowering. Understanding our genetics enables us to take control of our health and enables us to have treatments and make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is also scientific evidence that you are not facing cancer alone, nor should you feel like you must.

Our community takes a strategic approach to cancer. Spotting cancer early increases the chances of survival. Our researchers at Shaare Zedek have used their findings to call for universal screening for BRCA mutations for Jews. Until now, this testing has only been available to those who can show a family history of breast cancer.

In November, NHS England announced their plans to launch a three-year programme through which any one with Jewish ancestry (1 or more Jewish grandparent) will be able to access free BRCA testing.

This is a major change and will be a massive opportunity for the community. Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care are working with the NHS team responsible for this programme, sitting on their Expert Advisory Group. Once the testing is launched this year, there will be a

community wide campaign to ensure that all segments of the community are aware of BRCA and understand how to access the testing service. Shaare Zedek is working closely with Jnetics and Chai to ensure all our expertise in BRCA, community outreach and health education can be put to best use here in the UK.

Jnetics are dedicated to the prevention and management of Jewish genetic disorders. Chai is the Jewish community’s cancer support service. Shaare Zedek is Jerusalem’s busiest hospital with some of the worlds most renowned experts in cancer research and cancer care. In our collective teams, there are people working constantly on researching prevention, detection, and treatment to give us all better options to optimise our health.

There are others working on supporting people who have cancer in giving them the treatment, support, and the hope they need in facing their own personal battles. We all work together to find the best ways we can support our community.

But the community does not stop there. There is an unseen army in the battle against cancer. Anyone supporting a cancer patient or someone going through screening or diagnosis is part of our community. Anyone who grows their hair to be used to make a wig for a cancer patient is part of the community.

Anyone who runs a marathon, hosts an event, sponsors a friend, or responds to our fundraising appeals is part of the community. I imagine everyone reading this will fall into one of those categories. We really are all in this together.

For more information on BRCA please contact katie@shaarezedek.org.uk and we will point you in the right direction for appropriate support.

Heart surgeries broadcast live

The 27th International Conference for Innovations in Cardiovascular Interventions took place in Tel Aviv in December 2022.

At this conference Shaare Zedek Medical Centre took centre stage, to broadcast six complex surgeries direct from the hospital, to the attendees of the conference. Thousands of cardiologists from Israel and around the world joined this conference watching live, whilst Dr Danny Dvir, director of the Interventional Cardiology Unit at Shaare Zedek, and his medical teams impressed the audience by treating each patient successfully.

Dr Dvir shared, “We are experienced in performing complex heart surgeries and were very happy to share our knowledge and experience at this important conference. We believe in innovation in cardiovascular

surgery and take immense pride in being able to treat patients who have previously needed open heart surgery, through less invasive cardiovascular approaches.”

It was the first time; six complex cases of cardiovascular and clogged veins have been broadcasted to an international gathering for innovations in cardiology.

From Hendon with love: Ner Knitters helping patients at Shaare Zedek

by Joanna Sacks

When COVID-19 struck, our shul Ner Yisrael in Hendon went online. Our Rav set up a number of Zoom events and sessions, aided by talented members of the community and one of our Trustees, Michelle Sint, helped us set up a Needlecraft group to enable knitters, crocheters and sewers to get together from the safety of our own homes. We enjoyed the sessions so much that we’ve kept going.

When Sharon Baum alerted us that Shaare Zedek would appreciate knitted items for its premature babies and other patients, Ner Needlecrafters were galvanised into action and started to make items to send to Israel. It’s a wonderful opportunity to sit down for an hour to catch up and chat about anything under the sun, and to know we are doing something needed; knowing that the finished creations will be used is a great incentive. Over the last couple of years, participants have made dozens of blankets and hats

for premature babies. The knitting can be straightforward, and it’s easy to pick up our needles in any spare moment.

Rachel says, “I enjoy knitting and occupied myself during the pandemic. I can only do plain things and hope that my delicately coloured hats and blankets will be appreciated. We’re always sorry when the hour is finished.”

Irene says, “I find it very relaxing, and we can learn from other people when we get stuck.”

Val loves knitting and enjoys making small things because they are quicker to finish.

Anne says, “It’s lovely to meet others on the group and I’m very satisfied to have completed a blanket and hat.”

Huge thanks to the Ner Needlecrafters, your beautiful creations are keeping lots of tiny babies very warm!

Left: The Ner Yisrael Needlecraft Group on Zoom

Right: The Selig Court Knitting Group

Parliamentarians taking inspiration from Shaare Zedek

“Shaare Zedek’s work is tireless and life changing and deserves even greater appreciation. In a part of the world under great pressure, their impact is far reaching, profound and so desperately needed. Having had the honour of seeing the hospital first hand was a moving and humbling experience.”

Baroness Sarah Ludford – Vice President, Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel

UK visits to the hospital

Opposite page: Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel delegation

Below left: Wes Streeting with Dr Philip Levine Director of ICU

Below right: Wes Streeting & Steve McCabe MP, Chair of Labour Friends of Israel

Bottom: Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel with Professor Yaacov Frishberg, Director of the Paediatric Nephrology Institute

“I want to thank the team for their time and the incredible work they do. It is clear they are passionate about their patients and the compassion and care they give to their work was palpable. Clowns included!”

Layla Moran MP –Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Lead

“My visit to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre gave me a great insight into how their new state of the art radiotherapy building has patient care and wellbeing right at the centre of its design.

‘I’ll be taking inspiration home to build an even better healthcare system than the one we already have.”

Wes Streeting – Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom

UK visits to the hospital

“The Wohl trustees were delighted to visit the Wohl Surgical Complex and the Wohl Garden at Shaare Zedek Hospital, and to meet Professor Merin and hear his vision for the hospital. As strong supporters of Shaare Zedek over the years, we are sure that Prof. Merin will continue to lead the hospital in its mission to provide the highest levels of excellent professional care.”

Wohl Trustees

“I’m inspired every time I visit Shaare Zedek, but this felt really special. After the challenges of the pandemic, seeing the oncology team in their exceptional new building and seeing what difference it really makes to staff and patients was wonderful. I hope all of our donors to the Cancer Centre take the opportunity to see the impact of their generosity.”

Simi Ben Hur – Executive Director, Shaare Zedek UK

UK visits to the hospital

“I hadn’t visited the hospital for a number of years so it was truly wonderful to have two immersive days to spend meeting and talking to so many dedicated and passionate doctors, nurses and staff. One thing that struck a chord with me was just how appreciative they all were for the work we do to raise money for the hospital. The new cancer centre is phenomenal and has to be seen to be believed, if you are visiting Jerusalem this year make sure you arrange a tour of the hospital!”

Katie Korklin –Director of Marketing and Communications, Shaare Zedek UK

“The new cancer centre took our breath away. The facilities for all treatments of cancer patients are the most modern and up to date imaginable. One cannot help but admire the dedication of all the staff, and particularly the foresight of the management in constantly adding to the facilities of the hospital. When looking back some years it is unimaginable how the hospital has developed, and P.G. will continue to do so.”

Ann and David Marks –Patrons of Shaare Zedek UK

Top right: Simi and Katie with Dr Leon Joseph

Supporters making a difference

Jeremy Feldman ran the London Marathon in October 2022 and raised a total of £1150 which is going toward the Neurological Department at Shaare Zedek.

Aaron Conway works at Yavneh College and took on the challenge of the Royal Parks half marathon for Shaare Zedek in October 2022. He raised a total of £525 which is going towards helping adolescent mental health programmes at the hospital.

“I made Aliyah from Edgware 16 years ago, and my wife, Belinda, made Aliyah from Manchester 20 years ago. Eitan was born at Shaare Zedek 10 years ago, and for the last couple of years, he has organised a lemonade stand to raise money for the hospital which he feels connected to. The idea for the lemonade stand was from his great-grandmother. She passed away last year, so this year, he dedicated the donation in her memory.”

Jonny Lipczer

“I just wanted to help people and make them feel better, so I decided to sell lemonade and give the money to Shaare Zedek – and it was really exciting to go back to the hospital where I was born! Thank you to everyone who bought lemonade from my stand.”

Eitan Lipczer

Left: Aaron Conway

Top: Jonny Lipczer and his family

Above left: Eitan Lipczer at the hospital

Above right: Eitan with his siblings, Ayala, Orli and Aviad.

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

£10-£25

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.

Plan your celebration with us

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

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.

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.

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

Celebrations

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 a baby

Erica to Simmy & Joe Shammah

Birthday

Essie Bloom

Michael Druce

Professor S. David Graham QC

Rita Levy

Ben Menahem

Sam Menahem

Yaelle Menahem

Pauline Roberts

Sandra Simmons

Bar Mitzvah

Anniversary

Dr Jeckil Sieratzki

50th Birthday

Jeremy Suri Tannen

60th Birthday

Wendy Rusco

70th Birthday

Trude Broude

Eric Brunner

Trevor Cowan

Francine Epstein

David Hyman

Ricki Nat

Stephen Shaw

75th Birthday

Barbara Blackston

Anthony Filer

Dr Ian Joseph Irving

Ziggy Mahalla

76th Birthday

Moses Raymond

80th Birthday

Jan Fidler

Alan Fishman

Richard Gordon

Sandra Grankin

Betty Horwitz

Abby Kanarek

Charles Kolb

Diane Kron

Jane Leaver

David Rudd

Jack Welby

83rd Birthday & Second Bar Mitzvah

Ron Davis

85th Birthday

Ivan Gee

89th Birthday

John Graham

90th Birthday

Alan Benjamin

Leon Collins

Leon Goldblatt

Perry Goodman

Yvonne Kahtan

Lady Ruth Morris

95th Birthday

Rabbi Matthew Clark

Lionel Singer

100th Birthday

Rita Lebetkin

Michael Vogel

Marion Wolfe

Weddings

Adam & Nicole

Natalie & John

Paula & Allan Jaffe

Lisa & Garry Lauer

Elizabeth & Bernard Rubin

Pearl (30th) Wedding Anniversary

Annette & Paul Koslover

Ruby (40th) Wedding Anniversary

Valerie & Jonathan Bodansky

Sapphire (45th)

Wedding Anniversary

David & Jennifer Zucker

Golden (50th)

Wedding Anniversary

Antony & Lily Filer

Loraine & Gerry Gershon

Estelle & Henry Globe

Adrian & Raylia Harris

Barbara & Jonathan Moont

Jenny & Howard Rodin

Carmel & David Stockman

Diamond (60th)

Wedding Anniversary

Pat & Richard Dreifuss

Lorraine & Yitz Jaffe

Sandy & Mervyn Turner

We wish Rita Lebetkin a very happy 100th birthday. Rita has been a loyal supporter of ours for many years and has celebrated lots of special occasions with us.

Rita, we hope you enjoy this wonderful day with all your friends and family and thank you for your continued support and kindness.

Very best wishes, Your friends at Shaare Zedek UK

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.

Herbert Adler

Irene Barry

Sheila Davis

Lilian Falk

Peter Falk

Godfrey Gould

Ann Hanstater

Judith Hersh

Michael Karry

Betty Krieger

Jack Lowenthal

Adrian Mandel

Valerie Reuben

Celia Sanderson

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

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

2023 Memorial Book

The Shaare Zedek Memorial Book, is a special publication that we produce each year. 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 go to our website. Click on In Memory Giving and follow the instructions. Alternatively you can call the office on 020 8201 8933.

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?

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.

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

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

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.

shaarezedek.org.uk

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.

Ways to support us

Donate to a project

Choose a specific department or piece of equipment to donate to and make a lasting impact

Donate in memory

Honour the memory of your loved ones with a gift in their name.

Celebrate with us

Don’t know what to buy someone for their birthday or anniversary? Show you care, by giving a donation to Shaare Zedek UK instead of a gift.

Get involved

Whether it is a sporting challenge or bake sale, all your efforts add up to making a life-changing difference.

Visit

Leave

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Regular Giving

Set up a regular standing order or direct debit for less than a daily coffee and see the impact of your gift increase over time.

Nominate us as charity of the year

If you belong to a school, synagogue, church, social club, you can share our story of hope with others and help them connect to a cause with impact.