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Aviv News
Dear Aviv Members,
Last month I visited Israel, met my family and friends and found time to visit Hadassah hospitals and College as well. I would like to share with you some highlights and touching moments through this visit.
First, I would like to thank Mrs. Pnina Klein who helped arrange the visit at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, Mount Scopus Hospital and the Hadassah College. I highly recommend considering
such a visit while you are in Israel - one visit is worth more than a thousand words.
As an Israeli woman as well as a former Jerusalem resident, Hadassah hospitals are familiar places with many personal memories, sadness and joy. This time it was different and exciting to come as a volunteer and feel that I can help and support as well.
We started with the conventional visitor’s tour of the Hospital at Hadassah Ein Kerem. Our guide reviewed the history starting when Ben Gurion granted these empty hills to Hadassah. The major Hadassah hospital at that time was at Mt. Scopus but was isolated and inactive from 1948 until 1967. Hadassah operated from a temporary location in the center of Jerusalem. The hospital was opened to the public in 1961.
I was impressed with the new emergency room that was built to protect under different types of attacks. We also saw how advanced technologies are used, such as real-time digital photos from accident scenes and ambulances can be forwarded and received by the medical personnel well before the injured patients arrive, enabling better preparation and treatment.
We visited the new construction site of the Tower, which is modern, secure and designed to help meet the future challenges of the increasing health needs of the population. Most of Hadassah’s current fundraising effort is directed to this building. As a Hospital owned by a women organization, special attention is given to the women’s and children’s departments. The children’s department philosophy includes a personal and warm approach to the patients and their parents. One unique method used is a clown that helps children heal with laughter as well as treating the mothers to be emotionally strong for their children. As a mother and as a Hadassah volunteer I felt proud to see this.
It was a pleasure and honor for me to continue this tour with Mrs. Barbara Sofer, the Israel Director of Public Relations and Communications for Hadassah.
Together we visited the Intensive Care in Ein Kerem, whereMorav Benifadel from Nablus is hospitalized. His father is an electrical contractor in the Palestinian Authority and he was injured almost fatally when high voltage was turned on. He was in the hospital in Nablus for 9 hours and when they could do nothing for him. He was in a private room in Intensive Care for 45 days, and, has now been moved upstairs to the burns unit, where he is getting skin grafts. Barbara continues to visit him, and his father, who is very thankful to Hadassah and spoke to a Hadassah group from LA as well.
We also ran into Dr. Jose Cohen, the famous neurosurgeon. At Mount Scopus we talked about the history, how the Mount Scopus hospital was opened in joy in 1939, but closed after the massacre of April 13, 1948 when 78 doctors, Nurses and patients were killed, including the Director General of the hospital.
Then we headed for the Center for Chronic Diseases where we met Dr. David Zangen, an expert pediatric endocrinologist who was working with two Palestinian doctors, one from Gaza and one from the West Bank. when I looked at the doctors and patients that were working together I said to them: ―one picture is worth a thousand words‖. Their response was a big smile.
From there, we went to the maternity ward, and told them about our new member Iris Yaari who used to work there as a midwife and now is volunteering for Hadassah. We met many midwives and Dr. Simcha Yagel, the beloved ob-gyn who emphasized the need to modernize Mount Scopus. He's an international expert on ultrasound and preventing miscarriage.
We stopped at physical therapy where Martin, a physiotherapist, showed me how the Locomat worked. This is an expensive machine, donated during the intifada, which "teaches" muscles to work again by allowing paralyzed patients "to walk." After that we made a brief stop in occupational therapy.
The next stop was the Hadassah College where I met Mrs. Judy Habani. We visited a great photography exhibition of the college students, which I recommend to see if any of you get there. The library had gone through a massive enlargement after connecting two parts with a bridge above the city street, which has a great view as well. The college is open to all people and serves about 1,966 students today; about 15% of its budget is coming from contributions. The programs in the college include Computer Science, Health and Life Sciences, Design and Communication, Management and Pre Academic Studies.
After this day I could feel inspired by the great Zionist work of Hadassah and honored to become a part of this amazing 98-year old organization!
I wish all of you Shana Tova, and may all your wishes come true.
My wish for us for this year is to have an enjoyable year of fun fundraising.
Ofira Eliav, Aviv President
Save the date for the opening event of the New Year on September 25th.
Aviv Executive Board Roster 2010-2011
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President |
Ofira Eliav |
The Study Group lecture (Sequoia and Aviv) in English, for information mail or call to
Ilana Braun 493-6197.
