innovative medicine in the heart of jerusalem … of magnificent fanfare, which combined excitement,...

HeartbeatFall 2015

Innovative Medicine in the Heart of Jerusalem

DID YOU KNOW? Caring for our youngest patients has always been a priority at Shaare Zedek. In the above photo, children being treated at the Hospital play outside, early 1900s.

Gitta and Jack Nagel surrounded by four generations of their family at the gala dedication of the Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion of the Wilf Children’s Hospital at Shaare Zedek on August 20, 2015. See Page 4

FOUR GENERATIONS OF GIVINGShaare Zedek Celebrates the Opening of the

Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion ofthe Wilf Children’s Hospital

Menno RatzkerChair

Murray LaulichtPresident

Dr. Felix GlaubachVice President

Alan HirmesVice President

Louise Kirschner WolinetzTreasurer

Abby Ellison KanarekSecretary

Jack C. BendheimPhil FriedmanRabbi David FuldFrancine Gani

Deborah KestenbaumPresident

Marjorie Diener BlendenCo-Chair

Lee WeinbachCo-Chair

Bassie GoldVice President

Miriam GlaubachVice President

Laura HuberfeldMichael G. JesselsonHoward JonasDeborah KestenbaumDr. Ronald KrinickSeryl KushnerEsther LererLarry MagidStephen MatloffDr. Larry PlattMoshael StrausAharon Watson

Laura HuberfeldVice PresidentFran KupietzkyVice President

Paula LevVice President

Rama SeltzerVice President

NATIONAL [email protected]

Rachel Wolf, Chief Executive [email protected]

Sam Tuchman, Chief Financial [email protected] Gregg Raderman, [email protected] Robert L. Kern, Director ofMarketing & [email protected]

Phone: 212.764.8118

NORTHEAST REGIONMorrie Libman, Director of Major GiftsSharon Goldwyn, Director 55 West 39th Street, 4th FloorNew York, NY 10018Phone: [email protected]

SOUTHEAST REGIONDeborah S. Gold, Director of DevelopmentAliza Ranish, Regional Director,Director of Major Gifts3275 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 200Deerfield Beach, FL 33442Phone: [email protected]

WESTERN REGIONPaul Jeser, Regional Director,National Director of Major GiftsAdam King, Community Campaign Director8671 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 712Beverly Hills, CA 90211Phone: [email protected]

NORTHWEST REGIONPaul Jeser, Regional Director2625 Middlefield Road, Box 581Palo Alto, CA 94306Phone: [email protected]

ISRAELShaare Zedek Medical CenterPO Box 3235Jerusalem 91031 IsraelPhone: [email protected] www.szmc.org.il/eng

NATIONAL BOARD

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Heartbeat is published by the American Committee for Shaare Zedek in Jerusalem,a 501 (c) (3) organization.

Visit us online at:www.acsz.org

Robert L. KernDirector of Marketing & [email protected]

studio itsuvitDesignwww.itsuvit.co.il

American Committee forS H A A R E Z E D E K Medical Center in Jerusalem

Innovative Medicine in the Heart of Jerusalem

Heartbeat

2 Innovative Medicine in the Heart of Jerusalem

President’s Message Inside HeartbeatPage

Fall 2015

3 President’s Message

4 Opening of Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion

7 News

12 National Women’s Division Annual Spring Luncheon

15 Women’s Health Day in NYC

17 Around the Regions

20 Visiting Shaare Zedek

22 Bar/Bat Mitzvah

23 Next Generation Building Sponsorships

24 Save the Dates

Dear Friends,

As Rosh Hashana and the year 5776 draw near, I would like to reflect on the successes that we achieved together during this past year.

As it has for more than 113 years, Shaare Zedek continues to serve the medical needs of Jerusalem’s unique and diverse population. From groundbreaking new surgeries and treatments, including some that were performed for the first time in Israel, to

significant medical research and development, Shaare Zedek has distinguished itself both within Israel and throughout the world. Shaare Zedek continues to provide its patients with “Innovative Medicine in the Heart of Jerusalem,” along with its well-known compassionate and individualized approach. Shaare Zedek is indeed the “Hospital with a Heart in the Heart of Jerusalem.”

Building upon our achievements, we celebrated the formal dedication of the Nagel Family Pediatric Pavilion on the 7th Floor of our new Wilf Children’s Hospital. This magnificent facility will enable us to take care of our pediatric patients using the most modern equipment and therapies in a wonderful environment. From the finest doctors and nurses, to classrooms and books, to clowns and animals, the children will have it all.

Unfortunately, terror attacks in the Jerusalem area continued throughout the past year and Shaare Zedek’s renowned Weinstock Family Department of Emergency Medicine on the Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Floor has responded by providing the highest level of urgent care, saving the lives of many patients who had been given little chance of survival.

Shaare Zedek’s outstanding reputation and record of success enabled The American Committee for Shaare Zedek to achieve one of the most successful years in its history. Thanks to our extremely generous donors and our wonderful professional team, we surpassed our campaign goal as we raised more than $22 million in our fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. As a result, we transferred a record amount of money to the Hospital.

This remarkable achievement was accomplished thanks to all of you, our donors, large and small. From those who helped to build our Next Generation Building to everyone who participated in our active schedule of National, Women’s Division, Regional, College and Next Generation events, as well as the NY City Marathon and Triathlon. Your dedication and support made our campaign success possible and, in turn, is responsible for the continued growth and medical excellence of Shaare Zedek.

On behalf of the entire Shaare Zedek family, I want to wish you and your loved ones a joyous and healthy Shana Tova. May the New Year 5776 see the Hospital continue to grow and excel, with no victims of war or terror to treat, and may it be a year of peace and happiness for us and all Israel.

Murray J. LaulichtPresident

Murray J. Laulicht

Down the Danube + 3 Days in PragueAugust 19-29.2016.

Details to follow shortly

SAVE THE DATESpectacular Riverboat Cruise

3Heartbeat American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem

Dr. Jack Nagel affixes a mezuzah to the entrance of the Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion

The bright, child-friendly colors and layout of the Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion were carefully designed to benefit patients, staff and visitors

Drs. Gitta and Jack Nagel

On August 20th, 2015 Shaare Zedek marked the opening of the Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion of the Wilf Children’s Hospital with a gala dedication ceremony. The gift was made possible through the generosity of Drs. Gitta and Jack Nagel of Los Angeles, who were joined by four generations and over 40 members of their family. The day began with their son, Dr. Ronald Nagel leading ground rounds with a lecture on childhood obesity. In the afternoon, the family took a private tour of the new facility where they affixed a mezuzah to the entrance of the unit and uncovered their plaques. The Nagel grandchildren and great-grandchildren were each given balloons and went door to door, presenting them to the children being treated in the Hospital.

As part of the tour the family was able to see the extraordinary attention to detail found throughout the Children’s Hospital, including the aesthetic of the floor, as well as the focus on healing the body as well as the soul of every patient. Escorted by Shaare Zedek’s famed medical clowns, the tour included visits to the pediatric intensive care unit, the pet therapy area, the music room, the art therapy room, and the school created for children who miss school because of their hospitalization or frequent visits. Jack Nagel shared, “One of the things that impressed me most was the availability of nine private sleeping quarters for parents of critically ill children who live far from Jerusalem and cannot easily commute three times a day. In addition, each patient room is equipped with a ‘sleeping chair’ adjacent to the crib or bed of their loved one. The understanding that treating a child means taking care of the entire family unit was incredibly poignant and heartening.”

Following the visit, the family descended to the main floor for a reception, followed by a celebratory dinner outside of the Children’s

Shaare Zedek Celebrates the Opening of theNagel Family Inpatient Pavilion of the

Wilf Children’s HospitalHospital, which welcomed more than 150 guests. The evening was full of surprises and emotion including fabulous clown emcees, acrobats who performed daring rappelling moves off of the side of the new building, a sand artist, a pyrotechnics juggling act, a toast from the Nagels’ son David, addresses from the Director-General of Shaare Zedek Prof. Jonathan Halevy, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman, and American Committee CEO Rachel Wolf. A presentation that was especially meaningful was given by the Nagels’ granddaughter Jessica Yunger. One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when the mother of a child who had recently been treated on the new floor came to the stage and thanked the Nagels for their incredible dedication which helped heal her child in such a special environment. The evening concluded with festive dancing with the Israeli flag and finally the release of 100 dove balloons as everyone sang the “Hatikvah.”

Gitta Nagel explained, “I don’t think there has ever been such a show of magnificent fanfare, which combined excitement, warmth and above all else, love. The new Nagel Family Pediatric Inpatient Pavilion in Shaare Zedek’s wonderful new medical wonderland is a place of life for the children of Jerusalem and the future of Israel. How proud we can all be of this spectacular jewel that ranks amongst the top hospitals anywhere in the world.”

In the coming months, the Friedman Family 6th Floor Outpatient Pavilion will open, welcoming an exciting new future for the children of Jerusalem and Israel. This gift was made possible through the incredible generosity of Lea and Rabbi Jacob Friedman of Los Angeles, CA. There will be a special dedication of the floor taking place over Chanukah, which we will feature in our next issue of Heartbeat.


The Next Generation Building, at right, houses many components including the Wilf Children’s Hospital and the Nagel Family Inpatient Pavilion

Shaare Zedek’s famed medical clowns emceed the gala reception

Jack Nagel celebrates

Acrobats rappelled down the side of the new Next Generation Building

Nagel grandchildren and great-grandchildren visiting children being treated

Jack Nagel, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Gitta Nagel and Shaare Zedek Medical Center Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy


Four generations celebrate

Gitta and Jack Nagel with the Hospital’s medical clowns

A sand artist created an interactive portrait of the Nagels

Dancing at the reception

Pyrotechnics jugglers perform at the reception

As guests sang the Hatikvah, 100 dove balloons were released


Under the command of Shaare Zedek’s Deputy Director-General Dr. Ofer Merin, the IDF Field Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal opened its doors and began receiving patients on April 29th – just four days after the 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake that ultimately claimed the lives of more than 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000.

Dr. Merin is a veteran of IDF medical relief operations, having supervised field hospitals in all the recent overseas disasters as well as the IDF Field Hospital which had been established on Israel’s northern border for the treatment of victims of the Syrian civil war.

Also joining in the Shaare Zedek delegation to the IDF Hospital in Nepal was Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy who was charged with directing the Internal Medicine Wing within the IDF Field Hospital. Shaare Zedek sent one of the biggest delegations for this humanitarian effort.

During its 10 days of operation, the 60-bed IDF Field Hospital treated 1,600 patients, performed 85 medical surgeries, delivered eight babies and brought comfort to hundreds of people devastated by this earthquake.

At the Hospital’s closing ceremony, the Nepalese Urban Development Minister, Narayan Khan, expressed his government’s thanks to Israel, saying, “Let me express our sincere gratitude to the government of Israel and to the people of Israel for helping us during these very critical hours for Nepal.”

Shaare Zedek Personnel Save Lives in Earthquake-Ravaged Nepal

USAID and Shaare Zedek Doctors Save Nepalese Boy

Shaare Zedek personnel serving with the IDF Field Hospital in Kathmandu. Back row: Dr. Harel Arzi, Orthopedist, Spine Unit; Dr. Ofer Merin, Shaare Zedek Deputy Director-General and Director of the IDF Field Hospital in Nepal; Prof. Jonathan Halevy, Director-General of Shaare Zedek and Director of Internal Medicine in Nepal; Deganit Kovliner, Trauma Nurse in ER; Dr Tamar Lachish, Infectious Diseases; and Sergei Nazarov, Operating Theater Nurse. Front row: Dr. Avi Alpert, Emergency Medicine; Prof Amos Peyser, Director of the Department of Orthopedics; Dr. Sefi Mendelovich, Pediatric Medicine; and Dr. Giora Weiser, Pediatric Medicine.

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin said, “Dear delegation, dear commanders, rescuers - you are the pride of the country, all of you.” He continued, “I have been following your impressive work from the moment you landed on Nepal’s shaky ground and I have you in my thoughts with both concern and pride. Your delegation embodies all of the state’s universal values - giving, morality, loving every person for their sheer humanity.”

American emergency rescue workers dispatched to Nepal following that nation’s devastating earthquake on April 25 pulled a “miracle” survivor out of ten feet of rubble where he had been trapped for five days.

The rescue workers, from Los Angeles and Fairfax, VA, were part of the 130-member team sent by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). They worked with car jacks, miner’s lamps, glow sticks and small blades to cut through the metal and concrete to reach Pemba Tamang who was working in a seven-story building when it collapsed.

USAID and Nepalese rescue workers removed Pemba Tamang after he survived five days under a collapsed seven story building

Pemba Temang being treated at the IDF Field Hospital by Shaare Zedek’s Dr. Avi Alpert

Pamang was rushed to the IDF Field Hospital in Kathmandu where Dr. Avi Alpert, from Shaare Zedek’s Weinstock Family Department of Emergency Medicine on the Fanya Gottesman Heller Floor, jumped into action. “He came to our Department and we stabilized him quickly,” recounted Dr. Alpert. “We ran his blood tests and ultrasounds. He was conscious . . . It’s a true miracle and we wish him a lot of luck.”

This represents just another example of the incredible partnership between Shaare Zedek and USAID.


Dr. Sefi Mendelovich, a senior physician in the Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Shaare Zedek, has been named Chief of Staff for the Director-General of Israel’s Ministry of Health. While serving in the Ministry he will also retain his position at the Hospital.

For the past several months, Dr. Mendelovich has been an assistant to Shaare Zedek Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy and was also a medical adviser to former Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Arnon Afek. He started working at the ministry’s headquarters on July 1st.

“Sefi is a rising star in Israeli medicine,” said Prof. Halevy. “He is an excellent physician and administrator, honest, devoted and a man of values.”

Shaare Zedek Physician Named Ministry of Health Chief of Staff

A Thank You Letter to the NICUThis letter was written by an Arab mother whose newborn tragically passed away while being treated in the new Huberfeld Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Next Generation Building. We think you will agree that Shaare Zedek offers an “oasis of kindness” where differences and conflicts are left outside the doors of the Hospital.

Dr. Sefi Mendelovich treating a baby in the IDF Field Hospital in Nepal, May 2015

Dr. Sefi Mendelovich

Jerusalem, February 2015

It is with a heavy heart that I’m writing you this thank you note. As you know, my precious baby girl passed away six days before she turned a month old. Although we were all prepared for her not to live a long life, we definitely were not expecting it to be this short, especially with the new diagnosis we had been given. Yet, such is life.

A constant reminder of things we can and cannot control. Countless times I was told to abort while pregnant, that her life expectancy was very short, if anything at all. For whatever reason, I held on to the hope that whatever was meant to come from her life, no matter how short, would be for good. And good it was indeed.

I was shown a generosity and kindness that I can’t properly express in words. Inside Shaare Zedek, there was no Palestinian/Israeli struggle. You all did your jobs like angels sent from G-d. My child was not shown any less love than the sweet Jewish boy next to her. You smiled and loved my daughter like any other child being cared for. You all have restored my belief in the goodness of humanity, which we are all working for the betterment of our children. Our daughter was named according to the Arabic word for faith, and it’s exactly what gives meaning to our lives. Even in the darkest days, it’s our belief in faith that things will get better, that we can handle our sorrows, and overcome the obstacles we face.

If I could thank each of you individually, trust me that I would. I grew so accustomed to seeing you all more than my own family. You will never fully know the appreciation I have for the job that you do. There is a bond that grows between you all and the parents in the NICU, no doubt about it. So if I happen to see you around sometime, don’t be surprised if I stop you to say hello! After all, you were such a huge part of my life and for that I will forever be grateful.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness you not only showed me, my husband, and my family... but for your unrelenting support and encouragement you gave to my precious baby girl, Faith.

Sincerely yours, N.N.

Dr. Mendelovich is a physician in an elite reserve unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He also founded the prestigious Inbar program, which is developing a future generation of leaders for Israel’s medical system.

Dr. Mendelovich recently returned from Kathmandu, Nepal, where he was a member of the IDF Field Hospital team that treated victims of that country’s massive earthquake in April. Mendelovich was also part of the IDF team that established a Field Hospital in the Philippines in November 2013 after it was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.


Jerusalem’s Busiest ER Treats Terror Victims, Performs Miracles

A border policeman was critically wounded on Sunday, June 21st, when a terrorist stabbed him at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City. The policeman, who managed to shoot and kill his assailant, was rushed to Shaare Zedek in critical condition with wounds to his neck and chest and placed in a medically-induced coma.

The next day Dr. Ofer Merin, Deputy Director-General and Head of the Trauma Unit at Shaare Zedek shared with the media news of the miraculous recovery of the 20 year-old border policeman.

Dr. Merin said, “I have seen thousands of wounded throughout my medical career and I can tell you this is one of the most dramatic cases. He arrived here unconscious and without blood pressure, after the stabbing punctured a hole in his heart. He was one step from death, but he has recovered amazingly. He’s awake, communicative and is in good and stable condition. There is no immediate danger to his life after he was on the edge of the abyss. It is incredible. The quick diagnosis at the Hospital made the difference between life and death.”

On August 9th, an Israeli man was stabbed while checking the air pressure in his car’s tires. The Israel Defense Forces said that the 26 year-old man, Yehuda Ben Moyal, was attacked by four Palestinian assailants at a gas station on Route 443, near Modi’in. IDF soldiers opened fire and killed one of the suspects as he tried to escape.

The victim, Yehuda Ben Moyal, who is married with four children, was stabbed five times. He was transported to Shaare Zedek Medical in serious condition, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

Wounded police officer, with Dr. Ofer Merin and Rabbi Yehuda Glick, signal “thumbs-up” for his recovery

Yehuda Ben Moyal recovers at Shaare Zedek after being stabbed five times by a Palestinian assailant

Shaare Zedek Wants its Newbornsto Arrive Home Safely

Shaare Zedek is pioneering a new car seat lending program to ensure that all babies born at the Hospital go home safely.

Working with the taxi company, “Hapisga,” which has a station adjacent to the Hospital, Shaare Zedek has initiated “Safe Taxi” (Monit Batucha) by providing a number of infant car seats for newborns to use when they leave the Hospital for home. These “Safe Taxis” display a special decal, stating that they transport children in child safety seats. The seats are then returned at the end of the day.

Every new couple who leaves Shaare Zedek receives a sticker to remind them to buckle up their babies.

Shaare Zedek also introduced another program, which began last year, with 140 car seats available for families to borrow by leaving a deposit. The seats are to be returned within six months.

In 2014, 22,417 babies were born at Shaare Zedek, the most of any hospital in the western world.

The middle of the sticker reads “Safe Taxi.” The top of the circle states, “This taxi only drives babies in a safety seat.” At the bottom, next to the logo, “Shaare Zedek Medical Center is taking care of your baby’s safety.”

New Ultrasound InstalledThanks to USAID-ASHA

Shaare Zedek Medical Center recently installed 20 state-of-the-art ultrasound devices throughout the Hospital. They were acquired, in part, thanks to the generous support of USAID/ASHA (United States Agency for International Development/American Schools and Hospitals Abroad).


Shaare Zedek surgeons performing one of the nearly 30,000 operations that took place in the Hospital in 2014

Doctor AwardedYakir Yerushalayim Prize

Surgery at Shaare Zedek

Prof. Arie Leopold Durst was one of 12 people awarded the Yakir Yerushalayim Prize (an annual citizenship award) on Jerusalem Day, May 17, 2015. Prof. Durst was born in Poland and survived the Holocaust. His medical career started 55 years ago during his army service. Formerly the Head of Surgery at Bikur Cholim, today he operates and consults on complicated surgeries at both Shaare Zedek campuses.

While in the past, surgeons operated on patients to repair and remove diseased or damaged organs, today more than 60% of operations are performed by laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery results in less pain and bleeding, minimal or no scarring and a shorter recovery time for patients.

Laughter May Well BeThe Best Medicine

A new study conducted at Shaare Zedek found that laughter might very well be the best medicine.

Children undergoing outpatient urologic surgery at Shaare Zedek were divided into two groups; in one group the surgical

team included a “m e d i c a l clown” in the o p e r a t i n g room, while t h e o t h e r g r o u p d i d n o t h a v e clowns. The results suggest that a funny inter vention can make a

serious impact by lessening the young patient’s anxiety before and after the procedure, shortening the amount of time in the OR, as well as lowering their levels of pain and shortening their hospital stays.

The resulting reduction in surgery time and recovery time even led to a cost savings of more than $461 per patient.

The study, by Dr. Stanislav Kocherov of the Department of Pediatric Urology at Shaare Zedek, was presented by Prof. Boris Chertin on Friday, May 15th, 2015 at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) in New Orleans.

Prof. Jonathan Halevy, the Director-General of Shaare Zedek said, “We have the largest surgical facilities in the capital and are among the biggest in Israel.” Prof. Petachia Reissman, Chairman of the Department of General Surgery at Shaare Zedek shared, “We deal with 70 patients a day, with a team of 17 senior surgeons, 13 medical residents, 41 nurses and auxiliary staffers, social workers, interns, medical and nursing students and clinical dietitians. We recently spent $30 million on building and equipping new operating rooms. Ours is the only surgical branch in Israel to be invited to participate in the prestigious Innovations in Surgery International Forum that meets once a week by video conference.”

Anika Schwarz, the chief nurse in the surgical branch, explained that Shaare Zedek gives a lot of personal attention to the patients and their families. Nurses sit in groups and individually with each patient, explaining what happens during an operation and how to prepare and cope for the recovery both in the hospital and at home.

Follow us on TwitterGo to our Twitter page and "Follow" us as we "tweet" developments at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem and information about The American Committee for Shaare Zedek.

Like us on FacebookJoin our growing community on Facebook and “Like” our page. By doing this, you will receive updates in your News Feed as we post them, and you can also go to our page and learn more about us.

@ACSZ18

www.facebook.com/AmericanSZ


How Can You Find Out More:Please call our Chief Financial Officer, Samuel Tuchman, at 212-764-8057, fax to 212-221-0958

or email [email protected], with your date(s) of birth and he will promptly send you a confidential calculation of the benefits you will receive. That’s all it takes. No obligation.

Now, more than ever, a Shaare Zedek Gift Annuity may be the safe philanthropiclife-income investment you need to make.

I set up a Shaare Zedek Charitable Gift Annuity together with my wife Trudy, z”l, because we wanted to find a way to make a lasting difference for this vital institution in Jerusalem, while also making a smart, mutually beneficial financial decision. Our motto has always been to give with “a warm hand”. The American Committee for Shaare Zedek’s reputation for transparency, financial acuity and personalized donor service allows me to have peace of mind knowing that my donation is in good hands and will be used for years to its maximum capacity for the betterment of the people of Jerusalem and Israel.

Lou KestenbaumLos Angeles, CA

Recession-Proof RetirementEnsuring Your Future is Just a Step Away

Our rates are generous - among the highest available. Here are some sample one-life rates:

What are the Shaare ZedekGift Annuity Rates?

What is a Shaare Zedek Gift Annuity?

*assumes a contribution made in cash in September 2013

Age Rate Tax-free Portionof Annual Annuity*

70 6.5% 75.2%

75 7.1% 77.5%

80 8.0% 79.7%

85 9.5% 83.3%

90 11.3% 85.2%

In these difficult times, individuals need to be sure that their fixed income investments are secure, and that the rates they receive are high enough to help them with their costs of living during retirement. Solid charitable organizations like the American Committee have been making regular and timely payments to annuitants for years during all kinds of investment markets. Our gift annuity reserve fund, required to be sufficient under regulations of the New York State Insurance Department, assures our annuitants that their payments will always be made.

Why Purchase One Now?

It’s a contract under which the American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem commits to paying a fixed-rate lifetime annuity to one or two individuals in exchange for a contribution of cash or marketable securities. The fixed annuity rate is based on the age(s) of the annuitants and is drawn from Shaare Zedek’s gift annuity tables for one life or two lives.


The National Women’s Division Annual Spring Luncheon was held on June 10th, 2015 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park, NYC. The event, which honored Fran Kupietzky, who has been an active member of Women’s Division for 25 years; Marjorie Diener Blenden, Women’s Division Co-Chair, and famed cookbook author and celebrity chef Susie Fishbein, drew a crowd of more than 250. Famed attorney Benjamin Brafman, an eloquent voice for Israel and principal of the firm Brafman & Associates, P.C., , served as the engaging and dynamic keynote speaker.

National Women’s DivisionAnnual Spring Luncheon

Fran Kupietzky, Helen Ratzker, Louise Wolinetz, Renee Schreiber and Hadassah Bienenfeld

Rebecca Rosenbaum, Rose Romerovski and Fran Kupietzky

Sharon Goldwyn, Fran Kupietzky and Rachel Wolf

Greta Hirmes and Sharon Goldwyn

Alisa Sorkin, Marjorie Diener Blenden, Susan Goldsmith, Dr. Miriam Glaubach, Bassie Gold and Pammy Salamon

Honoree Marjorie Diener Blenden and Family

Honorees Susie Fishbein, Marjorie Diener Blenden and Fran Kupietzky

Lillian Adler, Linda Rothschild, Rita Schlussel, National Board Chair Menno Ratzker and Renee Schreiber

Linda Laulicht and Marilyn Smilowitz

CEO Rachel Wolf, Luncheon Chair Paula Lev, Honoree and Women’s Division Vice President Fran Kupietzky, Women’s Division President Debbie Kestenbaum, Honoree Susie Fishbein and Director of the Northeast Region Sharon Goldwyn


Dyana Beretz, Suzanne Beretz and Anita Beretz

Barbara Zimet, Judy Tuchman, Maguy Naparstek and Gloria Kaylie

Keynote speaker Benjamin Brafman, Fran Kupietzky and Ingeborg Rennert

Honoree Susie Fishbein with family and friendsTammy Bryk, Monica Glaubach, Dr. Miriam Glaubach and Ariel Glaubach

National Board member Esther Lerer with Fran and Jonah Kupietzky

Dr. Monique C. and Mordecai D. Katz

Dr. Fanya Gottesfeld Heller and CEO Rachel Wolf

Honoree Fran Kupietzky and FamilyEsther Felsen, Hadassah Bienenfeld, Marisa Stadtmauer, Susie Fishbein and Barbara Schlussel

Carole Lowenthal, Yonina Gomberg, Dara Orbach, Gail Propp and Dr. Rama Koslowe

Director of the Southeast Region Aliza Ranish and Rose Zarucki


Paula Lev, Jeanine Schreiber, Renee Schreiber, Ruth Shapiro and Judy Schreiber

Tammy Shatz, Sandy Seligsohn and Harriet Schimel

Monica Glaubach, Gloria Kaylie and Melodie Scharf

Cheryl Gluck and Fran Kupietzky

Margie Hersch with Director of Major Gifts Morrie Libman

Ellen Wasserman and Zelda BergerMichele Wolf and Rachel Wolf

Southeast Director of Major Gifts Debbie Gold and Ann Kuppermann


The annual Shaare Zedek Women’s Health Day was held on Wednesday, March 18th, 2015 at The New York Academy of Medicine. The event, which was co-chaired by Randi Luxenberg, Gail Propp and Ruth Shapiro, drew a crowd of 230 women from throughout the tri-state area. A highlight of the day was the keynote address by Dr. Ofer Merin, Shaare Zedek’s Deputy Director-General, who spoke about “Treating Victims of Terror and Natural Disasters.” The informative and memorable day included breakout sessions with Dr. Burton Cohen (radiology), Dr. Victor Fornari (eating disorders), Dr. Richard Grazi (fertility), and Dr. Fugen Neziroglu (behavioral therapy), as well as a delicious buffet lunch and boutique vendors.

All proceeds from the event were dedicated to support the Wilf Children’s Hospital.

Women’s Health Day in NYC

Sophia Gomberg, Women’s Division Board Member Yonina Gomberg, Marci Lefkovits, Women’s Division Board Member Dara Orbach, Barbara Listhaus and Liat Matthew

Rachel Lyons, Women’s Division Board Member Tiki Lyons and Women’s Division Executive Vice President Fran Kupietzky

Health Day Co-Chair, Committee Chair, Vendor Chair and Women’s Division Board Member Randi Luxenberg and NY Regional Director Sharon Goldwyn

Women’s Division President Deborah Kestenbaum and Women’s Division Board Members Arielle Tradburks and Atara Chesir

Health Day Community Chair Rhonda Luxenberg, Debbie Alpert, and Etty Levy

Back Row: Women’s Division Board Members Pamela Salamon, Rama Koslowe and Rose Friedman and Erika Sauerhoff Front Row: Women’s Division Vice President Bassie Gold, Women’s Division Board Member Gabrielle Propp, Rosalie Margolis and Women’s Division Co-Chair Marjorie Blenden


Back Row: Michelle Spiegel, Esther Lipner, Shirley Podolsky, Health Day Co-Chair, Committee Chair, Vendor Chair and Women’s Division Board Member Randi Luxenberg, Health Day Community Chair Peri Lyman, Sharon Greengrass and Debbi Ehrman Front Row: Joan Luxenberg, Meryl Arbisfeld, Lauren Tabaksblat, Rebecca Fischman and Gail Steiner

Women’s Division Board Member Elissa Ordan, Adrienne Goldfeder, Alice Lebowitz and Eliane Schoenbach

Johanna Guttman, Alyssa Zanger, National Board Member Laura Huberfeld and Judith Goldberg

Dr. Ofer MerinHealth Day speaker Dr. Fugen Neziroglu with Health Day Co-Chair and Women’s Division Board Member Gail Propp

Back Row: Chaya Weinreb, Tova Feiner-Saks and Rivka FeinerFront Row: Mimi Weingarten and Health Day Community Chair Phyllis Weingarten

Back Row: Malky Spector, Health Day Community Chair Ann Cohn, Lisa Kirschner, Health Day Community Chair Beth Alter, Diane Rosenthal, Judi Eisenman, Shevi Cohen, Wendy Riback and Blanche Schnee Front Row: Sheri Fisch, Daniela Fisch, Loren Daitch and Gail Daitch

Women’s Division Board Member Tammy Shatz, Sandy Trencher and Gloria Levenfus

Back Row: Women’s Division Board Members Careena Parker and Esther Lerer and Michelle Weitzner Front Row: Roni Blinder, Women’s Division Board Member Drorit Ratzker and Jill Schwalbe


Northeast RegionAround the Regions

On May 31st, a festive group of Shaare Zedek supporters floated down Fifth Avenue during the Celebrate Israel Parade 2015, wearing our signature doctor shirts, while waving to the cheering, flag-waving crowds . We were honored to be joined by Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy.

Celebrate Israel Parade 2015

Avi Jacobowitz, Ellie Karp, Naomi Goldman, Rachel Wolf, Andrew Borodach and Stacey Karp

The Shaare Zedek Float

The Tuchman Family carrying the banner

American Committee President Murray Laulicht with Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy

Ilana Mendelsberg, Yosef Mendelsberg, Aharon Watson, Sammy Salamon, Jason Salamon and Willie Salamon

Morris Bildirici and Susan Canter

Back Row: Rae Herschmann, Linda Laulicht, Louise and Harvey Wolinetz and National Board President Murray LaulichtFront Row: Helen and National Board Chair Menno Ratzker



Team Shaare Zedek successfully completed this year’s Panasonic NYC Triathlon that took place on July 19th, 2015. Our triathletes finished a 1,500m swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run, while raising funds for Shaare Zedek.

We thank our team members Ran Kaufman, Jordan Kestenbaum and Ashley Small, as well as Brandon Schwartz, who represented Shaare Zedek in the Ironman 70.3.

On June 1st the Southeast Region hosted a Dessert Reception at the home of Moj and Robert Danial. Members of the Host Committee were Johana and Jackie Abraham, Michelle and Matan Ben-Aviv, Sharon and Michael Budwick, Jennifer and Joshua Dobin, Shoshana and Dr. Daniel Robbin and Suzy and Scott Wagner.

The guest speaker for the evening was Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, FAAFP, a board-certified family physician with a private practice in Aventura whose father was a highly-decorated Nazi officer and tank commander during World War II. Dr. Wollschlaeger, who grew up and attended medical school in Germany, eventually converted to Judaism and emigrated to Israel where he completed his medical training and served in the IDF as a Medical Officer. He authored the book, “A German Life: Against All Odds Change is Possible,” which describes his struggle growing up in Germany in the shadow of his father.

Debbie Gold presented an update on the Shaare Zedek doctors and nurses who took part in the IDF humanitarian medical mission to Nepal, following the April 2015 earthquake and a report on the new Next Generation Building.

Team Shaare ZedekNYC Triathlon

Dessert Reception Features Dr. Wollschlaeger

Ran Kaufman Brandon SchwartzJordan Kestenbaum Ashley Small

Mojgan Kagan, Moj Danial and Matan and Michelle Ben-Aviv

Host Committee members Matan and Michelle Ben-Aviv and Suzy and Scott Wagner

Mog Danial with Sharon and Michael Budnick

Lily and Elliot Hahn with guest speaker Dr. Bernd WollschlaegerDr. Bernd Wollschlaeger

Southeast RegionAround the Regions



Western RegionAround the Regions

Longtime friends and supporters, Drs. Gitta and Jack Nagel and Lou Kestenbaum, hosted an informal reception and dinner for Shaare Zedek Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy on Wednesday, June 3rd when he visited Los Angeles. The event was attended by several Western Region donors and leadership.

Prof. Halevy spoke about the newly-opened Wilf Children’s Hospital and thanked the Nagel Family, as well as Rabbi and Mrs. Jacob Friedman and others for helping to make the new facility a reality. In addition, he provided an update on other wonderful and important changes at Shaare Zedek and shared his unique experiences in Nepal as a member of the IDF’s Field Hospital, where he served as Director of Internal Medicine.

Reception for Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy

Israel: What Happens Now?

Drs. Gitta and Jack Nagel

Lou Kestenbaum

Event Chair Barak Raviv with Host Efrem Harkham

Moderator Susan Freudenheim, Barak Raviv and panelists Shmuel Rosner, David Suissa and Rob Eshman

Shaare Zedek Director-General Prof. Jonathan Halevy

The Western Region sponsored a post-election panel discussion, “Israel: What Happens Now?” on April 15th, 2015 at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles.

Susan Freudenheim, Jewish Journal Executive Editor, served as the evening’s moderator. The panel, featuring Jewish Journal Editor-in Chief and Publisher Rob Eshman, Journal president David Suissa and Journal Senior Political Editor Shmuel Rosner, captivated the audience of 200 with their often differing assessments of Israel, US politics and world events. During the discussion, Mr. Rosner offered insights into the politics of coalition building while Mr. Eshman and Mr. Suissa took opposite stances in discussing the potential US deal with Iran.

The event, which was cosponsored by the Luxe Hotels and LA Jewish Journal, was hosted by Efrem Harkham, CEO of Luxe Hotels and chaired by Barak Raviv, Shaare Zedek’s Western Region Campaign Advisory Council Chair.

An Evening with Shaare Zedek’sProf. Avraham Steinberg

Alan GindiShaare Zedek Senior Pediatric Neurologist Prof. Avraham Steinberg

Barbara and Alan Gindi hosted an evening of study at their home with Prof. Avraham Steinberg, Senior Pediatric Neurologist at Shaare Zedek, on Wednesday, April 29th. Prof. Avraham Steinberg is the author of the Encyclopedia of Jewish Medical Ethics, head of the editorial board of the Talmudic Encyclopedia and one of the foremost authorities on Jewish medical ethics.


The Zigelman family visited Shaare Zedek to see the plaque dedicated in memory of Rabbi Avraham Zigelman z”l, a longtime friend and supporter of Shaare Zedek. We thank Aviva Zigelman for continuing her father’s legacy and for arranging this visit. Shown are Moshe Zigelman, Michelle Zigelman, Aviva Zigelman, Shaare Zedek clown and cousin Aharon Naiman, Reena Zigelman and Shaindy Zigelman.

Patrice and Charles Katz with their twin sons Austin and Jordan, visiting Shaare Zedek in June. The boys raised funds to donate two wheelchairs to the Wilf Children’s Hospital.

Gideon, Joshua, Hudi and Lawrence Askowitz of White Plains, NY visited Shaare Zedek during Pesach. Hudi is a Women’s Division Board Member. Gideon is planning to do a Bar Mitzvah Chesed Project to support the Hospital.

Dr. Robert Menachem Cooper, a doctor specializing in geriatrics, and his wife, who is also an MD, visited Shaare Zedek in June. The couple, who live in Baltimore, were visiting their daughter who recently made aliya and is five months pregnant. They toured the Medical Center, including the Geriatrics Division and were especially interested in the advanced monitoring unit, the NICU, the new maternity units and the new Wilf Children’s Hospital. Because they were also interested in emergency medicine, they visited the Pediatric and general ERs. While at Shaare Zedek, the Coopers ran into one of Robert’s colleagues from home whose daughter had just given birth to twins.

Adam, Wendy, Julia and Dylan Modlin of New York City visited Shaare Zedek this past Pesach to see the plaque in her honor. Dylan celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in April 2012 with a Basketball Chesed Event at Ramaz and dedicated an emergency bed stretcher and wheelchair to Shaare Zedek.

Visiting IsraelPlease visit Shaare Zedek - “The Hospital with a Heart”If you are going to be in Israel, please join us for a private tour of the Hospital.Prior to your visit, contact the National or local Shaare Zedek office (see page 2 for listing).In Israel, call 02-666-6622 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment.

Visiting Shaare Zedek Medical Center


Declan Joyce, an actor and producer who has appeared in 25 films and TV shows, recently traveled to Israel and toured Shaare Zedek. While there, he also took time to visit patients in several departments.

Heidi Rothberg , who was featured in Profiles in Giving (Heartbeat, Fal l 2014), recently visited Shaare Zedek. She particularly enjoyed the pet therapy and music therapy rooms, both located in the Lincoln David Abraham Pediatric Educational Institute, located at the center of the Nagel Pediatric Inpatient Pavilion.

We thank the Szlezinger family from New York and London who dedicated a Giraffe Incubator to celebrate Joseph Szlezinger’s 80th Birthday. Pictured are Louise Szlezinger, Kathrin Szlezinger, Gaby Szlezinger, Brooke Szlezinger, Joseph Szlezinger, Leon Szlezinger and Jennifer Dorfman.

Terry and Joel Storch of Los Angeles visited Shaare Zedek for the first time in June. They were particularly touched to see the plaque dedicated to their grandparents. Terry organized and has been running an on-going project which, to date, has delivered more than 100 lbs. of blankets, hats, mittens, and sweaters, knitted and crocheted by Los Angeles area friends of Shaare Zedek for some of the thousands of babies born at the Hospital. During their tour, they distributed hats and booties in the Huberfeld Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Chemda, Shaare Zedek’s Pet Therapist, introduced Heidi to one of the parrots

Heidi visiting the Rothberg Pediatric Nephrology Institute


Gabi Mogilner celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on May 17th with a “Beary Special Bat Mitzvah Chesed Project.” Gabi, who is the daughter of Dr. Alon and Myra Mogilner of New Rochelle, NY, and her friends made 100 stuffed animals during her “Build-A-Bear Chesed Project.” Gabi also had a Bat Mitzvah website at www.acsz.org/gabi and raised funds for a cancer recliner, two baby bassinets and one phototherapy mattress for the Huberfeld Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Celebrating with Shaare Zedek

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Austin and Jordan Katz of Los Angeles, twin sons of Patrice and Charles Katz, held a Lemonade and Cookie Mitzvah Sale in honor of their Bar Mitzvah at the Brentwood Farmer’s Market on Sunday, May 31st. They also raised funds at www.acsz.org/katz and dedicated two wheelchairs to the Wilf Children’s Hospital when they visited Shaare Zedek in June.

Sarina Cohen of Brooklyn, daughter of Aaron and Felicia Cohen, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on April 19th with a “Build-A-Bear Chesed Project.” Sarina, at bottom left, and her friends, heard a special presentation about Shaare Zedek and then made stuffed animals which will be delivered to children who are patients at the Hospital. In addition, funds which were raised by Sarina and her friends, as well as through her special Bat Mitzvah webpage www.acsz.org/sarina, will be used to purchase wheelchairs for the new Wilf Children’s Hospital.

Choose Shaare Zedek Medical Center for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Chesed ProjectShaare Zedek is known for its reputation of treating patients with the highest level of care.

Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Chesed Project can really make a difference!Shaare Zedek receives no government funding for new equipment and facilities, so we rely solely on our donors’ generosity to operate this important facility in the heart of Jerusalem. Doing a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Chesed Project is a meaningful and fun experience that you will always remember!

Choose a project that you will enjoy – you can also do it with a friend!The money you raise will support the Hospital and give patients the care they need.

Here are ideas of what other B’nai and B’not Mitzvah have done to help save lives at Shaare Zedek. Choose from this list, or use your imagination and come up with your own.

• Basketball/Hockey/Baseball-a-thon• Bowl-a-thon• Build-a-Bear• Walk-a-thon• Car Wash• Bake Sale• Tehillim or Divrei Torah Learning Campaign

Once you choose your project, you can decide which department to support or piece of equipment to dedicate. Below are some suggestions:

• Maternity and Pediatrics• Emergency Medicine• Cardiac Care• Surgery• Cancer• Wheelchairs• Any other specialty or area of medicine you’d like

For more information and for your chesed project, contact your local ACSZ office.


Next Generation Building Sponsorships

Please help provide world-class Neonatal, Pediatric, Infertility and Women’s Health Services to the people of Israel by sponsoring a facility or equipment in the beautiful, new eight-story, 230,000 sq. foot Next Generation Building in memory or in honor of loved ones.

For further information, contact your local American Committee regional office, listed on the inside front cover of this issue of Heartbeat

Dedication Department Price Number Available

Payable Over

Small Incubator In-Vitro Fertilization Unit $10,000 3 1 PaymentNurses’ Blood Test Room

Pediatric Day Hospital in the Wilf Children’s Hospital $15,000 1 Up to 3 Years

Pediatric Dialysis Station

Samuel Rothberg Department of Pediatric Nephrology in the Wilf Children’s Hospital

$18,000 5 Up to 3 Years

Treatment Room Shapiro Hochstein Maternity D in the Wilf Children’s Hospital $20,000 1 Up to 4 YearsSocial Worker’s Room Breast Health Clinical Center in the Jack & Candee Klein

Comprehensive Breast Health Complex$25,000 1 Up to 5 Years

Gynecology Exam Room

Shapiro Hochstein Maternity D in the Wilf Children’s Hospital $25,000 1 Up to 5 Years

Open Incubator Huberfeld Family Neonatal Intensive Care Complex in the Huberfeld Family Birthing Center

$25,000 15 1 Payment

Head Nurse’s Room Pediatric Day Hospital in the Wilf Children’s Hospital $25,000 1 Up to 5 YearsExamination Room Pediatric Gastroenterology $25,000 3 Up to 5 YearsDialysis Machine Samuel Rothberg Department of Pediatric Nephrology in the Wilf

Children’s Hospital$25,000 14 1 Payment

2 Bed Patient Room Shapiro Hochstein Maternity D in the Wilf Children’s Hospital $30,000 11 Up to 5 YearsExamination Room In-Vitro Fertilization Unit $35,000 4 Up to 5 YearsExamination Room Pediatric Outpatient Clinics in the Wilf Children’s Hospital $36,000 5 Up to 5 YearsBreast Feeding Room Huberfeld Family Neonatal Intensive Care Complex in the Huberfeld

Family Birthing Center$50,000 1 Up to 5 Years

Breast Imaging Work Station

Mammography Clinic in the Diagnostic Breast Imaging Center in the Jack & Candee Klein Comprehensive Breast Health Complex

$50,000 4 1 Payment

Anesthesia Machine & Monitor

In-Vitro Fertilization Unit $56,000 1 1 Payment

Respirator Huberfeld Family Neonatal Intensive Care Complex in the Huberfeld Family Birthing Center

$63,000 11 1 Payment

Triage Area Huberfeld Family Neonatal Intensive Care Complex in the Huberfeld Family Birthing Center

$75,000 2 Up to 5 Years

Diagnostic Work Station

Mammography Clinic in the Diagnostic Breast Imaging Center in the Jack & Candee Klein Comprehensive Breast Health Complex

$80,000 4 1 Payment

6-Crib Area Harvey Felsen Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit in the Huberfeld Family Neonatal Intensive Care Complex in the Huberfeld Family Birthing Center

$100,000 2 Up to 5 Years

Conference Room Jack & Candee Klein Comprehensive Breast Health Complex $100,000 1 Up to 5 YearsOperating Table In-Vitro Fertilization Unit $100,000 1 1 PaymentExamination Room Mammography Clinic in the Diagnostic Breast Imaging Center in the

Jack & Candee Klein Comprehensive Breast Health Complex$100,000 2 Up to 5 Years


NOVEMBER 18, 2015ACSZ National DinnerHonoring Linda & Murray Laulicht, Gabriel Shore and Bella KleinGuastavino’s NYC409 East 59th StreetNew York, NYCall 212.764.8116 for more information

FEBRUARY 21, 2016Southeast Region Annual Sunset Dinner CruiseHollywood, FLCall 954.571.2446 for more information

AUGUST 19-29, 2016Spectacular Riverboat CruiseDown the Danube + 3 Days in PragueCall 212.764.8116 for more information

American Committee forS H A A R E Z E D E K Medical Center in Jerusalem

55 West 39th Street, 4th FloorNew York, NY 10018

www.acsz.org

NONPROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDHACKENSACK, NJ

PERMIT 1232

For more information, visit www.acsz.org

SAVE THE DATES

NOVEMBER 1, 2015TCS NYC MarathonNew York, NYCall 212.764.8062 for more information

NOVEMBER 10, 2015Southeast Women’s Fall LuncheonCall 954.571.2446 for more information

NOVEMBER 14, 20159th Annual Children’s Champions Event Bowlmor Times Square222 West 44th StreetNew York, NYCall 212.764.8062 for more information

innovative medicine in the heart of jerusalem … of magnificent fanfare, which combined excitement,...

Documents