CONTACT
Donate

News

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 |September 6th, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ|0 Comments|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Four-peat! Fourth Year for ACSZ as a Four-Star Charity on Charity Navigator

Four-peat! Fourth Year for ACSZ as a Four-Star Charity on Charity Navigator

For the fourth year in a row, the internationally-respected evaluator of not-for-profits, Charity Navigator has designated American Committee for Shaare Zedek as a four-star charity, its highest rating. ACSZ achieved the coveted designation “for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency,” according to Michael Thatcher, CEO, and president of the rating agency.

This significant recognition underscores the great care taken with every dollar of tzedakah entrusted to the American Committee on behalf of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.

“This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way,” Thatcher said in a letter to Rachel Wolf, CEO of the American Committee. “Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center In Jerusalem exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only 15% of the charities we evaluate have received at least four consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center In Jerusalem outperforms most other charities in America.”

There are more than 1.5 million registered non-profit organizations in the United States. Click here for more information.

 

By |September 4th, 2018|Announcements, News|0 Comments|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    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 |August 8th, 2018|Helmsley Neurological Center, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off on Stroke Research at Shaare Zedek Points to New Ways of Limiting Impairment|
Read More

To Donate in Memory of Lee Weinbach a”h

 

By |July 23rd, 2018|Support ACSZ|Comments Off on To Donate in Memory of Lee Weinbach a”h|
Read More

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 |July 23rd, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ, Women's Division|Comments Off on In Memoriam: Lee Weinbach a”h|
Read More

CT Scan Faster Than It Takes To Say It

Quicker than a heartbeat, the new Dual Source CT Scanner at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem scans a patient with a stroke or other life-threatening emergency in a fraction of a second. Thanks to the generosity of USAID/ASHA and the American people; longtime Shaare Zedek benefactors Dr. Monique C. and Mordecai Katz; and patron Robert Price z”l, the new CT is up and running close to the Emergency Department. In-patient and ambulatory patients are also benefiting from the new device, which actually contains two scanning units in one. This makes it so fast that heart patients don’t require prepping with beta-blockers to be scanned and children don’t need to be sedated. #HospitalWithAHeart 

By |June 14th, 2018|Announcements, News, Wilf Children's Hospital|Comments Off on CT Scan Faster Than It Takes To Say It|
Read More

Meet Shaare Zedek’s Head Nurse, Ms. Gali Weiss

Ms. Gali Weiss, Deputy Director General and Head Nurse of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, has been working at Shaare Zedek for ten years. She manages 1500 nurses and orderlies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Gali shares, “I am proud to be the head of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center’s nursing management that is known for its excellence and compassion. In my role, I have the opportunity to influence the experience of patients and their families. Among our staff there is a sense of commitment to the place and humanity, a spirit of action, thinking outside of the box, compassion, attentiveness, personal responsibility and giving.”

“I see this profession as a mission, an opportunity to influence and advance the treatment of patients professionally and humanely while coping with dynamic situations and stressful situations. This is a profession which gives a lot of job satisfaction, diversity and personal empowerment. On a personal note, I go on a pilgrimage every day to Jerusalem from my home in Kibbutz Na’an and enjoy every moment. I am happy to lead a large group of nurses with a shine in their eyes and a lot of sensitivity towards the patients and their families. I have the great privilege of leading the nursing management and to pave the way for nurses to reach new heights.”
 

By |May 30th, 2018|News|Comments Off on Meet Shaare Zedek’s Head Nurse, Ms. Gali Weiss|
Read More

Four Resuscitations, 30 Shocks, One Life Saved

Four resuscitations including more than 30 electric shocks from a defibrillator and, “I left death to live,” shares Rabbi Yisrael Klein, the 66-year-old rabbi of the Yefeh Nof congregation in Jerusalem. Rabbi Klein has long suffered from coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the coronary arteries. He underwent a catheterization some years ago but the disease continued to progress. Recently, while celebrating Purim, Rabbi Klein went into cardiac arrest. Also at the party was a volunteer paramedic who had a defibrillator and saved Rabbi Klein’s life.

Testing showed that the disease had progressed significantly and that another catheterization would not suffice. Dr. Salis Tager, head of Shaare Zedek’s Ruth and Hyman Matloff Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, performed bypass surgery, during which a balloon was also implanted in the heart to act as a pump that would help the heart provide its full output.

“We were very satisfied with the surgery,” Dr. Tager said. “Everything looked good, but the next day the patient suddenly suffered from a rhythm disorder.” He underwent resuscitation for over 20 minutes before regaining his heartbeat. He then suffered from heart palpitations which can be life-threatening.

Rabbi Klein was sedated, and put on a respirator, and connected to an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine, which takes on the functions of the heart and lungs while the heart rests and recovers. After several days, the doctors saw an improvement and weaned the rabbi off the machine. But 24 hours after his heart started working independently again, he suffered another bout of heart palpitations and was again connected to the ECMO device. He also underwent another catheterization to expand his arteries to allow for better blood flow.

“After the cardiac arrest, the doctors were not very optimistic,” more >

By |May 4th, 2018|News|Comments Off on Four Resuscitations, 30 Shocks, One Life Saved|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Watch the “Kosher Halftime Show” Taped at Wilf Children’s Hospital

Watch the “Kosher Halftime Show” Taped at Wilf Children’s Hospital

A paint fight? In a hospital? Is that even allowed? The Wilf Children’s Hospital at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem is the setting for the Kosher Halftime Show, a wholesome alternative to the not necessarily family-friendly pop-culture extravaganza that aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday night, February 4, 2018. The game was played in Minneapolis, Minn., home to the National Football League team owned by the Wilf Family. Starring popular Jewish singer Ohad Moskowitz and social media influencer and filmmaker Meir Kay, the Kosher Halftime Show is a presentation of the Nachum Segal Network and is sponsored by The American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.

The program features Ohad’s performance for young patients and their families at the Wilf Children’s Hospital interwoven with touching and humorous scenes and sequences orchestrated by Meir Kay, including a rather spectacular paint fight staged in a carefully prepared room at the hospital. Meir Kay has some two million followers on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. His previous videos have been seen hundreds of millions of times.

Click here to view the Kosher Halftime Show #KHS2018

 

By |February 4th, 2018|Announcements, News, Wilf Children's Hospital|Comments Off on Watch the “Kosher Halftime Show” Taped at Wilf Children’s Hospital|
Read More

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 >

By |August 11th, 2017|News, Photos, Support ACSZ, Wilf Children's Hospital|Comments Off on Send In The Clowns!|
Read More
Innovative Medicine in the Heart of Jerusalem

About

The American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem provides financial support to fund services, capital projects, research and the purchase of equipment for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.

55 West 39 Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212.354.8801
Email: national@acsz.org

  • Copyright © 2017 The American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem | Privacy | Credits