American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem

08/25/2025

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."

06/25/2025

Recent days have been truly challenging and historic at Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem. Here we share a glimpse into how the Hospital ensured patients were always safe while receiving advanced and compassionate care for whatever the need.

We applaud the entire staff for their truly admirable dedication to keeping patients safe and spirits high during an unimaginably challenging time. 👏🏻 🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻

06/25/2025

👶Did you know Shaare Zedek Medical Center is home to the largest maternity ward in Israel and most likely the largest in the entire world!? With more than 22,000 births a year, we're honored to be trusted with the care of Jerusalem's tiniest patients - every birth is a blessing, and every family is a part of ours.

In times of crisis, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem and our incredible maternity staff didn't miss a beat - setting up a fully functioning underground ward within hours to ensure that every mother and baby was safe. Our staff, who have been juggling, working 12-hour shifts (some even sleeping at the hospital!) while also navigating their own family situations, still found the strength and heart to design and create these adorable baby onesies - a small gesture to honor the heroic moms and lift spirits during an unimaginably challenging time.🩵

06/25/2025

Newborns born in the sheltered delivery suites at Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem during Operation Rising Lion were presented with onesies reading :

“My mother is a lioness”

Wishing all the new babies and moms and dads only health, happiness and safety!

06/20/2025

🚨 Must-Read 🚨

Our CEO, Rachel Wolf, has penned a powerful and urgent article in the Times of Israel calling out the silence of the international community after Iran directly targeted an Israeli hospital.

📰 "Iran Hit an Israeli Hospital on Thursday. Where is the Global Outrage?"
Read it here: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/iran-hit-an-israeli-hospital-on-thursday-where-is-the-global-outrage/

Please take a moment to read and share.🩺

How dare media denounce Israel for bombing Gazan hospitals that harbored terrorists and now ignore how Iran's missiles crumbled an Israeli hospital's walls?

06/20/2025

After five deliveries at Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem, this is one that will certainly stand out…

This morning, Ruti gave birth in Shaare Zedek’s underground maternity facility that has opened in response to the developments.

Ruti recalls the birth saying, “I was a little stressed how it might be to deliver in a delivery room unlike those that I’m so familiar with. We arrived early in the morning and saw that the whole complex was very orderly and well-prepared. The labor went quickly and just like always, the midwives were incredible and we had an excellent birthing experience."

Particularly in these challenging and historic times, we wish Ruti and all the new parents only health, happiness and safety.

06/19/2025

We salute our dedicated teams at Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem who are working around the clock to outfit and equip the hospital's sheltered underground areas and prepare them to absorb and treat patients in response to the latest developments.

Below are several important updates as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health for this emergency situation as of June 19, 2025:

Patients presenting to Shaare Zedek for care should be accompanied by no more than one person.

The Emergency Department remains fully operational for urgent care procedures and is located beneath ground in a sheltered area.

The Maternity facilities have now been transferred to a sheltered area on the hospital’s 2nd Floor.

The Ob/Gyn Emergency Room has also been transferred to the 2nd floor sheltered area.

The Pediatric Emergency Room activities will now take place within the general Emergency Department on the 2nd Floor (in a protected area).

As always, Shaare Zedek is ready to absorb patients as needed and we call on the general public not to be deterred in coming to the for any urgent needs at any time.

06/18/2025

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion visited Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem today and was hosted by Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin.

During the visit, the Mayor toured the Nancy and Stephen Grand Underground Emergency ICU, the hospital’s underground shelter that has been in active operation over the past few days. The shelter, which offers protection from missile and rocket fire, is completely outfitted for intensive medical care and is currently treating patients in need of respiratory support and with other complex conditions that cannot be moved in the event of a siren.
The Mayor’s delegation also visited with the childcare program that was opened for hospital staff so that they can go to work despite the school closures.

The Mayor commented: "I’m filled with a huge sense of pride to see Shaare Zedek’s medical staff working with such commitment and real dedication under particularly difficult emergency conditions. Prof. Merin and his staff are leading this effort with tremendous professionalism and deep faith that allows Shaare Zedek to serve as a medical and security anchor for our city. Jerusalem stands ready, while safe and secure, specifically because of people like these special workers stationed on the medical front. The people of Jerusalem can be confident in knowing they have who to count on."
Prof. Merin responded saying, “The residents of our city know that Shaare Zedek has been planning for many weeks and months to be ready for all types of scenarios. Just last week we held a drill for emergency response together with the Ministry of Health and we are ready for any challenge or event specifically because of our commitment to readiness and because of the dedication of our remarkable staff.”

06/17/2025

Prepared, Protected, and Ready at Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem!

Thank you to the teams who have worked, and continue to work, day and night to prepare the protected area for patients. We are here in every situation and for every scenario.

06/05/2025

MasterChef Workshop for Children and Teens with Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis 🍗🥦🧀🥨

Recently the Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem Pediatric Crohn’s and Colitis Center hosted their annual MasterChef-style workshop for children and teens living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

The kids donned aprons, and prepared healthy & delicious dishes under the guidance of Chef Yuval Atias from Ta’amim Culinary School, who led them on a joyful and creative culinary journey.

Meanwhile, parents attended enriching lectures and an open discussion led by Prof. Dan Turner, Director of the Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Institute, along with top experts from the center who provided tools, guidance, and support for daily life.

Photos courtesy of Lior Daskal.

05/26/2025

On Occasion of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) Israel’s Government Approves Plans for New Hospitilization Tower at Shaare Zedek Medical Center

On Monday, May 26th, Jerusalem Day, the Israeli Government announced the approval of a proposal introduced by the country’s Minister of Health Uriel Buso and Minister of Jerusalem and Jewish Heritage Meir Porush, that will allow for the active planning of a new hospitilization tower in the nation’s capital.

As part of the decision, the Kfar Shaul campus of the Jerusalem Mental Health Center will be merged and integrated with Shaare Zedek in order to strengthen the regional mental health hospitalization system and best ensure that both physical and mental health care will be provided within the same hospital.

A steering committee will be established to lead the project, chaired by the Director-General of the Ministry of Health or a representative on their behalf, in cooperation with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Labor, Finance, Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition, the Jerusalem Municipality, and the District Planning Committee. The committee will develop a professional and planning outline for the new tower within 90 days, which will incorporate mental health services as an integral part of the medical services at Shaare Zedek, in accordance with the Health Ministry’s policy of unifying physical and mental health services.

To support the advancement of the decision, an initial budget of 25 million NIS has been allocated: 16 million NIS from the Ministry of Health, 6 million NIS from the Ministry of Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition, and 3 million NIS from the Jerusalem Municipality. The new hospitalization tower is expected to be a major force in upgrading public healthcare in Jerusalem, improving service, increasing accessibility, and advancing a high-quality continuum of care.

Minister of Health Buso commented:

"The decision to build a new hospitalization tower at Shaare Zedek Medical Center reflects our national commitment to Jerusalem and its healthcare system. We are working to strengthen inpatient services in the capital, with a deep understanding that integrating physical and mental health is key to better medicine. The new tower at Shaare Zedek will serve as a catalyst for improving medical services for the city’s residents and for strengthening health infrastructure in Israel’s capital."

Minister of Jerusalem and Jewish Heritage, Meir Porush:

"Together with the Ministry of Health, we are bringing to the government a significant decision that expresses the strategic importance of Jerusalem in the fields of health and public services. Investing in a new hospitalization tower at Shaare Zedek and expanding medical services is tremendous news for the millions living in greater Jerusalem. The plan will improve the quality of life in Jerusalem and deepen healthcare equality in Israel."

Prof. Ofer Merin, Director General of Shaare Zedek Medical Center:

"I welcome the important government decision to plan a new hospitalization tower at Shaare Zedek, which will allow for a significant expansion of one of Israel’s largest and leading medical centers.

The new tower, to be built with support from the state and private donors, is a major milestone in the development of Shaare Zedek — which treats over a million patients annually and serves as a central medical anchor for Jerusalem and the central region.

With the establishment of the new tower, we will double our hospitalization capacity, significantly improve the quality of care, and provide advanced and compassionate medical treatment to hundreds of thousands of additional patients from Jerusalem and across the country.

The tower will be built to the most advanced technological standards while preserving the quality and excellence of Shaare Zedek.

This is a historic step that will bring about a true revolution in medical care in the capital.

As a leading medical center, we are proud to have been chosen to integrate the Kfar Shaul Jerusalem Mental Health Center into Shaare Zedek, so we can offer advanced medical care for both physical and mental health under one roof.

I would like to thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, MK Aryeh Deri, Health Minister Uriel Buso, Minister of Jerusalem and Heritage Meir Porush, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion for their support of Shaare Zedek.

On this 58th Jerusalem Day, this is a great and important message for the city’s residents and the Shaare Zedek family. Happy Jerusalem Day."

05/20/2025

What a fabulous time we had at this past Sunday’s Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue! 🇮🇱🎉

The American Committee for Shaare Zedek was proud to march in celebration of Israel and show our unwavering support for the incredible work of Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us— special shoutout to Beit Rabban Day School! - we couldn’t have done it without your energy, enthusiasm, and spirit. 💙

Here’s to community, resilience, and standing together. See you next year!