Western Region, Am. Cmte. Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem

12/24/2025

A Terror Survivor Returns to Shaare Zedek - To Bring New Life into the World

About ten years ago, Maya Netzer was seriously injured in a terror attack in Jerusalem. She was rushed to Shaare Zedek where Prof. Ofer Merin, then the hospital's Director of Trauma Medicine treated her and saved her life.

Last week Maya returned to Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem - this time to deliver her second son.

Maya shared, “Ten years ago, in October of 2015, I was seriously injured in a terror attack in Jerusalem. I was stabbed in the shoulder, and the knife penetrated my lung. I was brought to Shaare Zedek where I was met by Prof. Merin, then the head of trauma and today the hospital’s Director-General. With professionalism and unwavering dedication, he saved my life. Since then, all these years have passed and while the pain remains, life does go on. In 2022, I had my first son here at Shaare Zedek and last week on the first night of Chanukah I returned for this second delivery.

“It’s the same place, with the same safe feeling that I am surrounded by a staff who in many ways have become like family. I am so thankful to Shaare Zedek, to Prof. Merin and to all the staff for the life that you have now given back to me multiple times.

“Since that day of the attack until now I have remained in touch with Prof. Merin and every now and then we talk to discuss my rehabilitation and things taking place in my personal life. Prof. Merin treated me in a truly comprehensive way of caring that in my estimation doesn’t come along very often in the world of medicine. At every stage he made sure I was getting the best possible care, that I would always feel comfortable throughout my hospitalization and most of all that I could really feel safe and secure.”

On behalf of all of us at Shaare Zedek, we wish Maya and her family a huge Mazal Tov!

12/20/2025

A true modern-day hero, Yosef Chaim Ohana, who was released after 738 days in captivity in Gaza, was honored to light the Chanukah candles this week in the Pediatric Dialysis Unit at Shaare Zedek.

He was joined by the hospital’s President, Prof. Jonathan Halevy and Director General, Prof. Ofer Merin.

Yosef also toured the Unit and met with children and staff members.

Yosef shared, “We are at time of the holidays of miracles. I am a living proof that my very survival is a miracle. One of the reasons I feel so connected to people being treated in the hospital is because for many of them, like me, life is truly a gift. In this holiday of lights I want to wish every single person that they should be blessed with victory- each in his or her personal way- whether it’s a victory of body of soul.”

Yosef’s visit to Shaare Zedek was made possible by the organization “Tikva U’Marpeh” that supports children on dialysis in hospitals all throughout Israel.

12/19/2025

Shaare Zedek welcomed Bar Mireknsky and her family back to the hospital to light the Chanukah candles more than two years after she was treated for serious injuries sustained while attending the Nova Festival on October 7th.

She was joined at the candle lighting ceremony by Shaare Zedek’s Director General Prof. Ofer Merin, Shaare Zedek’s President Prof. Jonathan Halevy and members of the medical team who treated Bar during her lengthy hospitalization.

In addition to lighting the Chanukah candles, Bar recited the Birkat HaGomel (The Blessing of Gratitude upon being saved from a life-threatening situation.) She addressed the ceremony saying, “Thank you to everyone who saved my life, and thank you for giving me the right and the opportunity to live.”

Prof. Merin added, “This is a deeply moving moment. All those injured in those harrowing days became part of our lives, but there are those whose experiences will forever be etched into our hearts— people like Bar. As doctors, it was a true honor to be able to treat you. I also know that much of the courage you showed through your recovery comes from the spirit of your amazing parents, who are true heroes and have also become part of the Shaare Zedek family.”

Also participating in the candle-lighting ceremony were: Director of the Department of Surgery at the time of Bar’s injury, Prof. Petachia Reissman; the Director of the Trauma Unit, Dr. Alon Schwartz; the Director of the Intensive Care Unit, Prof. Phillip Levin; the Director of the Internal Medicine Division, Prof. Ni**od Maimon; the nurses who cared for Bar; and representatives from the social work and psychological services.

12/17/2025

✨ A true miracle story from Shaare Zedek! ✨

An 11-year-old boy accidentally swallowed a pair of scissors — and they came out on their own without surgery! 😮✂️🙏

After coming to the ER late at night, doctors were ready to operate — but while the boy was under anesthesia, the scissors miraculously closed and passed through his digestive system safely. After two days of close monitoring, he went home with no injuries. 💪👦🩺

His family and the medical team are calling it “a great miracle.”

➡️ A big thank you to the amazing staff at Shaare Zedek for their care and vigilance.

📌 Reminder to parents: Please keep sharp objects and dangerous items well out of children’s reach. Even a moment of inattention can lead to danger. ❤️

Full article: https://ch10.co.il/news/1033157/

12/14/2025

from paul jeser...

I sent an email to Helsie Brustman OAM, a friend and SZ leader in Australia. Here is her response:

Paul,
Thank you, that means a lot. I am heartbroken. Innocent lives murdured. Now 16 dead..
Thanks for support. We are all trying to cope.. such tragedies should never happen here.
I am so sad.
My warmest
HELSIE

11/26/2025

Shaare Zedek Salutes Our IDF Reservists

Since October 7, 2023 Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem staff members have served over 47,000 days in miluim (IDF reserve duty).

Today the hospital held a special tribute highlighting their contributions and sacrifice in a ceremony attended by Shaare Zedek administration and many of the staff members who have been serving tirelessly for more than two years.

Over 250 staff members have been called up with more than fifty having served an excess of 200 days, 30 more than 300 days, and even 15 whose reserve days have exceeded 400.

The ceremony provided an emotional opportunity to express our immense thanks to this community as well as gratitude to the spouses of reservists who have faced remarkable challenges in their homes and workplaces.

Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin addressed the ceremony saying, “I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for making personal sacrifices on behalf of the greater good. As a hospital we immediately made a decision, one that was complex but we never questioned, that every staff member who was called up would be given our full support to go out to the front and serve in whatever way he or she was called upon to do. Backed up by our remarkable staff we were always able to provide the best and highest quality care possible here in the hospital, even as the demands for reservists increased. Today, we also remember the 18 Shaare Zedek staff members who have lost close relatives in battle, and we pledge to always be there fore them.”

Danny Strauch, Deputy Director General for Human Resources at Shaare Zedek also spoke and told his personal story serving as a senior officer in the IDF Unit that liaised with the families of the hostages providing immeasurable practical and emotional support.

“There is indescribable pride in the recognition that the number and percentage of Shaare Zedek staff members who responded to the call since October 7th is noticeably higher than comparable workplaces,” he said. “Throughout the war I had the honor to accompany the family of Noa Martziano z”l through the moment where she was returned for burial in Israel. This war has represented a deeply turbulent experience and time for all of us as people and certainly as a Shaare Zedek community, and it was important that we dedicated this day to salute those who were there when our nation and people needed them most.”

🩵🇮🇱🤍🇮🇱

11/06/2025

We are proud to share that Dr. Ephrat Levy-Lahad, founder and Robin Chemers Neustein Director of the Fuld Family Medical Genetics Institute at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, has been awarded the 2025 Basser Global Prize by the University of Pennsylvania’s Basser Center for BRCA.

This prestigious international award recognizes Dr. Levy-Lahad’s pioneering work leading population-based BRCA screening programs and advancing understanding of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, particularly among Ashkenazi Jewish and Middle Eastern populations. Her research has paved the way for nationwide genetic testing in Israel, benefiting over 60,000 women each year.

Dr. Levy-Lahad’s leadership continues to inspire hope and progress for families worldwide affected by BRCA mutations. 💙

Read more: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/2025-basser-center-global-prize-awarded-to-ephrat-levy-lahad

09/26/2025

Shaare Zedek’s international reputation continues to grow, highlighted recently by the leadership of Prof. Nir Peled, Director of the Helmsley Cancer Center, at the WCLC 2025 (World Conference on Lung Cancer). Held in Barcelona, this event is the preeminent professional conference in the field.

A world-renowned expert in lung cancer treatment and research, Prof. Peled served as Chair of the IASLC Interdisciplinary Forum for the Establishment of Global Treatment Standards. In this capacity, he heads the process of collating clinical protocols used in leading oncology treatment centers around the world for the treatment of lung cancer, allowing for a united approach to treatment leading to better and more coordinated patient care.

Thanks to his visionary leadership and groundbreaking research, Prof. Peled stands at the forefront of global cancer care and is positioned to bring further professional pride to Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem and Israel on the international stage.

09/16/2025

✨ Shine Bright, Give Back✨

✔️ Use code SZ10 at checkout to make sure 10% of your purchase goes directly to Shaare Zedek💎❤️

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09/08/2025

08/28/2025

08/26/2025

Thanks to the swift and expert intervention of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center Interventional Neuroradiology team at the Helmsley Neurology Center, the life of a three-year-old boy who suffered a rare stroke has been saved.

The child, who suffered a venous stroke after recovering from measles, required two emergency brain catheterization procedures. In a feat almost unheard of in children this young, Dr. Vladimir Boroditzky, Director of the Brain Catheterization Unit, successfully placed a brain stent to restore blood flow.

“This type of stroke is seen in only about one percent of all cases, and performing a stent procedure on a toddler is almost unprecedented,” explained Dr. Boroditzky. “Normally, we would begin with drug therapy, but the blockages were so severe that medication simply wasn’t an option.”

In close consultation with experts from the emergency department, pediatric intensive care, pediatric neurology, and neurosurgery, the team made the bold decision to proceed with the high-risk catheterization.

"During the procedure, we had to drain a large volume of blood from the delicate cerebral vessels, all while knowing that a child has far fewer reserves than an adult," Dr. Boroditzky recalled. “Every move demanded absolute precision...Thanks to our expertise in treating children and toddlers in extremely complex cases, we knew we would be able to perform the task, and fortunately the child's condition improved."