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Injecting Hope: Shaare Zedek on Cutting Edge of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Injecting Hope: Shaare Zedek on Cutting Edge of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Deep inside Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center, a dedicated team of doctors, technicians, and geneticists, armed with an alphabet soup of treatments with names like IVF, PGD and PGS, spend their days helping couples overcome serious fertility issues. Shaare Zedek, which has been providing medical care to Jerusalem since 1902, is on the cutting edge of assisted reproductive technologies, making the miraculous seem almost routine.

Prof. Jonathan Halevy, who stepped down in March 2019 as director-general at Shaare Zedek, explains, “At Shaare Zedek, we have created an infrastructure able to recognize the potential for new medical technologies and find ways to integrate them for the benefit of our patients. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) are prime examples of this approach.”

According to the hospital, Kupot Holim medical organizations in Israel cover the cost of IVF and PGD fertility treatments until the couple has up to two children via these procedures. Other countries are much more restrictive in the amount of IVF treatments that are offered, and costs are much higher – a situation that Halevy says has helped make Israel an innovator in these technologies.

The IVF process involves three stages: ovarian stimulation, which increases the number of eggs; egg retrieval and fertilization using sperm in a lab environment; and embryo transfer into the uterus, which results in pregnancy. Of the hundreds of IVF procedures that are performed each year at Shaare Zedek, 75% are performed for couples who have difficulty conceiving. The remaining 25% of the IVF procedures are associated with PGD.

First developed in 1990, PGD allows doctors to perform genetic profiling of embryos prior to implantation and is used to prevent certain genetic diseases or disorders from being passed on to the child. more >

By Mayer Fertig|April 2nd, 2019|News, Photos, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Changing of the Guard: Prof. Halevy Steps Down as Director-General; Prof. Merin Steps Up

Changing of the Guard: Prof. Halevy Steps Down as Director-General; Prof. Merin Steps Up

At midnight on March 1, 2019, Professor Jonathan Halevy stepped down as the hospital’s Director-General and Professor Ofer Merin, previously Deputy Director-General and Director of Trauma Services assumed the hospital’s directorship. He is just the fifth person to hold that job in the Hospital’s more than 117-year history. Professor Halevy, who is widely credited with managing Shaare Zedek’s rise to become one of Israel’s top hospitals, will continue his involvement in numerous management issues including development and fundraising.

During his final week in the position, Professor Halevy visited all of the medical departments and support units and thanked the staff for their dedication and hard work that made the hospital so successful. Professor Halevy also addressed hundreds of current and former hospital employees as well as friends and family at the weekly Clinical Conference. So many members of the staff wanted to attend this session that three additional viewing areas were set up around the hospital. During his presentation, Professor Halevy said that his professional accomplishments were a result of the partnership with Shaare Zedek’s staff. In addition, an exhibition of photos detailing his life and career were on display throughout the hospital. The week concluded with a farewell luncheon in the hospital cafeteria for all staff.

When Professor Halevy assumed the position of Director-General in 1988, Shaare Zedek was considered a small community hospital well-known for its compassion for patients. During his tenure, he oversaw the opening of 26 new medical units. Today, Shaare Zedek offers care across all major medical disciplines and treats over 800,000 cases per year. The inpatient care rate over the last three decades multiplied by 469% while outpatient care went up by a remarkable 2,221%.

Under Prof. Halevy’s leadership, Shaare Zedek more >

By Mayer Fertig|March 4th, 2019|Announcements, Heartbeat, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Meet Hermann Kaiser, Lev Tov Honoree at our 2018 Heart of Jerusalem Dinner

Meet Hermann Kaiser, Lev Tov Honoree at our 2018 Heart of Jerusalem Dinner

The 2018 Heart of Jerusalem Dinner was a great success. We thank all who participated. With great pleasure, we honored Shaare Zedek’s longtime friend and supporter, Mr. Hermann Kaiser, with the Lev Tov Award. We were glad Mr. Kaiser could join us, along with his son Herbert, daughter-in-law Judith, and daughter Hinda.

Hermann Kaiser emigrated with his parents and brother from Germany to the United States six months before Pearl Harbor. They settled in Utica, NY, where Hermann received his B.A. in Accounting from Syracuse University followed by an M.A. from Wharton. After a two-year Army draft, he married Hannah Meyer, daughter of Dr. Max and Rosel Meyer, z”l members of the Breuer Kehilla in Washington Heights, NY. They joined the Elizabeth, NJ Jewish community because Hermann was employed as an accountant in nearby Clark by RCA Corp.

Mr. Kaiser became involved with the Shaare Zedek Annual Concert through Hannah a”h, who worked at the time at Manhattan Day School. Her connection to Shaare Zedek dated back to Germany where her father knew Dr. Moshe Wallach, the first Director-General of the Hospital. That support grew as the Kaisers visited Shaare Zedek’s original building on Rechov Jaffo in 1969 and then again in 1972. They were highly impressed when they toured the “new Shaare Zedek” several times, including in 1999 when they dedicated a project in the Oncology Unit and visited the Neonatal Unit in the Wilf Woman and Infant Center. Today, in recognition of decades of consistent and outstanding support, the Kaisers’ names are affixed on the Hospital’s Platinum Founders Wall.

Many organizations have benefitted from the outstretched hand of kindness shown by the Kaisers. In particular, his shul, Bais Yitzchak Chevrah Tehillim, AMIT, Hatzalah of Union County, more >

By Mayer Fertig|November 15th, 2018|Announcements, Events, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Join Us! Heart of Jerusalem Dinner 2018 in NYC

Join Us! Heart of Jerusalem Dinner 2018 in NYC

Debbie and Howard Jonas lead the distinguished honorees at our 2018 Heart of Jerusalem Dinner, on November 14 in New York City. Click to Make Your Reservation.

By Mayer Fertig|October 17th, 2018|Announcements, Events, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Prof. Halevy To Step Down; Prof. Ofer Merin Named Director-General

Prof. Halevy To Step Down; Prof. Ofer Merin Named Director-General

After 31 years of dedicated service to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Professor Jonathan Halevy announced he will step down from his post as Director-General, effective March 1, 2019. Following an extensive selection process, The Shaare Zedek International Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint Professor Ofer Merin as the next Director-General.

Professor Merin was chosen by the Board’s Search Committee for his remarkable professional record as a medical and organizational expert and for his leadership, both here at the hospital and throughout his storied career in the IDF. He is a cardiothoracic surgeon who currently serves as head of trauma services and as Deputy Director-General of Shaare Zedek. Professor Merin is also Col. Merin (res.) and, in that role, he heads the IDF’s mobile field hospital, which the World Health Organization has recognized as the world’s best for its rapid and comprehensive response to natural disasters.

Accepting the position to serve as only the fifth Director-General in Shaare Zedek’s 116-year history, Professor Merin spoke of his vision to continue to promote the hospital as a medical pioneer defined by compassionate care together with financial and managerial excellence.

Professor Halevy delivered an inspiring presentation portraying the unprecedented growth of the Medical Center during his tenure, at the end of which he was profoundly thanked for all his many achievements.

We are happy to announce that Professor Halevy will remain actively involved in the future development of Shaare Zedek. His leadership will continue in his counseling to the Board and the new Director-General, in national and international fundraising, in special projects and throughout the medical activity of the hospital.

We wish Professor Merin much success in his new role and look forward, with your continued partnership, to giving him all the support more >

By Mayer Fertig|October 4th, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Looking back at 5778 at Shaare Zedek, and ahead to 5779

Looking back at 5778 at Shaare Zedek, and ahead to 5779

On the cusp of Rosh Hashanah 5779 we look back on a year of unprecedented expansion and development across Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

To the casual visitor’s eye, the most noticeable new developments are a new shopping pavilion in and around the hospital’s main lobby that opened this year for the benefit of patients and their visitors, as well as the foundation-laying of the Radiotherapy Institute atop a large parking tower. More on those in a moment but, at this writing, there is on our campus a 13-story hole in the ground! Less immediately noticeable but also of prime importance was the opening of several new Outpatient Care services.

Over the course of the past 12 months Shaare Zedek Medical Center has recorded the following statistics:

163,000 Emergency Department cases including 34,756 Pediatric ER cases
More than 36,000 surgical procedures
576,797 Outpatient Clinic patient visits
88,388 Inpatient hospitalizations
22,350 babies born
The Helmsley Neurological Institute recorded:

338 Neurosurgical procedures
216 Interventional Neuroradiology cases
More than 1,000 cases of patients experiencing stroke symptoms or TIA (temporary ischemic attack)
Of the stroke cases, 130 required tPA (an intracranial drug used to break up blood clots in the brain.)

As noted, construction has begun in earnest on the Radiotherapy Institute which will play a major role in our future Cancer Care Center. Already completed is the vast majority of the excavation of the 800-space parking facility which will significantly address the current shortage of parking spaces.

A large and modern shopping area was completed for the benefit of patients, families, and staff. It includes eateries, a mini market, a bookstore, and a pharmacy to open soon.

Several specialized clinics opened including a “Dry-Eye Condition Clinic,” an Artificial Heart Clinic, a Multi-Disciplinary Clinic for Brain Tumors, more >

By Mayer Fertig|September 6th, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Stroke Research at Shaare Zedek Points to New Ways of Limiting Impairment

Stroke Research at Shaare Zedek Points to New Ways of Limiting Impairment

A major finding at Shaare Zedek: Cerebral catheterization can help some patients who have experienced a mild stroke. The procedure can prevent their condition from worsening, according to a study at the Helmsley Neurological Center at Shaare Zedek, led by Doctors Roni Eichel and Horrany Nizar of the Stroke Unit.

Each year in Israel, 18-thousand people in Israel experience a stroke. They are Israel’s third-biggest cause of death after cancer and heart disease. Roughly 60-percent of those strokes are categorized as ‘mild.’ For 30-percent of those mild stroke patients, categorized in the emergency room as cases with mild neurological impairment, symptoms actually worsen during hospitalization and cause functional disability. This study found that for some of these patients, whose imaging showed a clot causing a large blood vessel blockage in the brain, cerebral catheterization could prevent further deterioration.

Dr. Nizar, a senior physician, and stroke specialist explains, “If a person returns to full or almost full daily activity within a short period of time (a couple of days to several weeks) the event is considered mild…The treatment approach depends on the patient’s level of basic functioning prior to the event, the risk involved in performing the procedure and the anticipated success rate. It is important to note that some patients present mild signs of a stroke, however, the brain imaging shows a blockage of a large artery in the brain. Then, the question is always, what are the benefits and risks of performing a catheterization procedure to remove the clot from the brain of these patients?”

Dr. Eichel, director of the Stroke Unit, and of the Neurological ICU, said, “In our study, we showed that catheterizations of patients with mild signs of stroke who have had a large artery more >

By Mayer Fertig|August 8th, 2018|Helmsley Neurological Center, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

To Donate in Memory of Lee Weinbach a”h

By Mayer Fertig|July 23rd, 2018|Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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In Memoriam: Lee Weinbach a”h

In Memoriam: Lee Weinbach a”h

With deep sorrow, the world-wide Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem Family mourns the loss of Lee Weinbach a”h, a driven leader and an extraordinarily dedicated, talented and hard-working individual who was so deeply cherished by her friends and loving family.
As President of Shaare Zedek’s National Women’s Division for many decades, Lee worked side by side, first with Erica Jesselson a”h, and then with countless other outstanding lay leaders employing her flair and elegance to build and develop our Women’s Division into a vital and thriving component of the American Committee. After her family, Lee’s true love was Shaare Zedek and that came across very clearly in every event and relationship she established.

She was generous and kind, bold and visionary and through her passion, inspired countless women to become loyal supporters and Founders of the “Hospital with a Heart.” Her energy was captivating and as her granddaughter so aptly described, she was “fun, fancy and fierce!” She and her husband “Dave” shaped the lives of countless Jewish children who benefited from the exceptional camping experience that the Weinbachs provided.

Heartfelt condolences to her children Aron (and Jacqueline), Tzionah, and Rabbi Elchanan (and Yocheved), the grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire family. May they all be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
To donate to Shaare Zedek in Lee’s memory, please click here

By Mayer Fertig|July 23rd, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ, Women's Division|Comments Off|

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Send In The Clowns!

Send In The Clowns!

Involving medical clowns in medical treatment significantly improves patients’ experience, according to a study conducted at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The study found that Shaare Zedek’s “Dream Doctors” helped children with cerebral palsy who were undergoing recurrent botulinum toxin injections. The researchers discovered that the involvement of the medical clowns reduced the pain the young patients felt, not only during the initial injection but also during subsequent injections, even if the clowns were not present for the later treatment.

The Shaare Zedek study was supported by the Magi Foundation.

Participating in the study “was a very special and enlightening experience,” shared “Dr. Sababa” (aka Avraham Cohen). “The challenge was to create tools that can be used when a child is undergoing a specific treatment and to ensure that those tools can be used by clowns in any country and under an array of situations. The study showed what we really already knew — a medical clown that is skilled and professional really makes a difference in the patient’s experience.”

The Dream Doctors Project integrates therapeutic medical clowns into Shaare Zedek and more than 20 other Israeli hospitals. It trains them to work as part of various medical units carrying out procedures to improve patient well-being and advance care. Each Dream Doctor has a rich background in the dramatic arts in addition to the hospital training. Like Shaare Zedek’s other professionals and paraprofessionals, members of our Dream Doctors team work according to a set schedule determined according to the Hospital’s needs.

“Our work focuses on developing trust with the young patients. They call the shots. We follow their lead and together we can conquer anything,” explained “Jacko” (aka Jacob) after the Shaare Zedek Dream Doctors completed a daylong training session with more >