(Information for this article is culled from material put out by Shaare Zedek Medical Center as well as a presentation given to guides of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation by Hodaya Hendler.)
We are living in complicated and difficult times here in the Land of Israel. Unfortunately, during times like these, our medical facilities are stretched to capacity and are more on the forefront of our thoughts and minds. Today, let’s explore Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim and learn more about its history and contributions to the people of Yerushalayim.
Shaare Zedek hospital was established in 1902 on Jaffa Street, where it housed 20 beds and played an important role in the development of modern Yerushalayim. Its founder, Dr. Moshe Wallach, was legendary in his own right. A German Jewish doctor, his commitment and dedication to his patients was exceptional. He first arrived in Yerushalayim at the age of 26 and devoted himself to helping the sick in whatever way he could. He often made house calls on his donkey to sick individuals throughout the city. He was the first to bring immunizations against diphtheria to Yerushalayim.
As founder of the hospital, he was unrelenting in his insistence that it be run professionally, with an adherence to Jewish halacha and with great sympathy and care to each patient. He ran the hospital for 46 years and developed it into a place where Jewish spirit and ideals went hand in hand with modern medicine. Dr. Wallach was connected with well-respected individuals and politicians, and at the same time, he was known for the care and concern he gave to the destitute. He did not only help them in areas of health; he was also known to help people find jobs and a place to live.
Dr. Wallach enlisted the help of Zalma Meir, a nurse he brought over from Germany. Until then the hospital was not staffed by professional help. Although Meir had a promising career ahead of her in Germany, she agreed to come to Yerushalayim. She arrived in the middle of a typhus outbreak, which she fought valiantly and effectively. In 1936, she founded a nursing school in Shaare Zedek, where she trained many nurses to treat patients both sympathetically and professionally.
Meir also went back to Germany a few times to refresh her training and bring more advanced medical knowledge to Yerushalayim. She was offered the esteemed position to be the head nurse at a hospital in Leipzig, which she turned down in order to return to her patients in Yerushalayim. Meir never married and devoted her life to treating the sick of Yerushalayim. She passed away on her 100th birthday in Shaare Zedek hospital, the very place she worked so hard to develop.
During World War I, there was very little food in Yerushalayim. Dr. Wallach needed milk to aid the nutrition of his patients. So what did he do? He bought cows! Forty cows lived in the courtyard of the hospital during the war to provide milk for the Shaare Zedek patients.
From those humble beginnings Shaare Zedek developed into the impressive modern medical center which it is today. Its campus at the foot of Mount Herzl has about 1,000 beds in 30 departments. More than 5,000 trained staff members as well as about 700 volunteers contribute to the unique care that Shaare Zedek patients receive.
Shaare Zedek Medical Center is prepared to accept many patients at a time due to war and terror, unfortunately. Its bottom three floors, where most essential treatments are carried out, were built underground so that they will be safe in case of an attack.
Today, when one enters the hospital’s main building, one can see a display of photos of those killed in the current war who were either employees of the hospital or first degree relatives of a hospital employee, a somber testimony to our difficult times.
As Jewish people, we never give up hope. The hospital also hosts many volunteers on a daily basis, both school groups as well as individuals, who come to bring good cheer to its patients. Sometimes a small smile and a little care can really change someone’s day. Given Israel’s current situation, visitors from abroad often choose to include some volunteering in their itinerary. After making the necessary arrangements and visiting patients, volunteers may find that they have been surprisingly inspired.
May the sick and injured soon be healed, and may we soon rejoice over the building of Yerushalayim.
Hava Preil is an enthusiastic licensed Israeli tour guide. She grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and holds an MA in Judaic studies. Hava has developed and taught accredited courses in Tanach and Jewish ethics for Naaleh/Woodmont College and Cybersem. She currently lives in Givat Ze’ev, Israel with her family. Hava can be reached at IL:054-844-1579, USA: 845-391-0438 or at [email protected]. Visit her new website, havapreiltours.com. Hava is also offering virtual tours of various sites in Israel: a perfect activity for your school, synagogue or youth group.
