Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem, 12 Shmuel Bait Street, Jerusalem (2026)

02/09/2026

Shaare Zedek: First in Israel to Perform Robotic Kidney Stone Procedure

In a further reflection of the hospital’s status as a technological innovator, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center became the first in Israel to perform a groundbreaking robotic procedure to break up kidney stones.

The ILY robotic system uses a robotic controller to allow for highly precise and stable surgical application providing the surgeons with greater maneuverability and accuracy for complex urological procedures. The Urology Institute has long been an early-adopter of cutting-edge robotic and digital technologies including using AI applications to treat enlarged prostates.

This new ILY robot replaces the need for the surgeon to manually operate the surgical grip with robotic controls that are operated via an intuitive wireless remote. This allows the surgeon to comfortably navigate the flexible ureteroscope in the kidney which translates to greater accuracy and success for fragmenting stones. Initial research has shown this approach is more effective than traditional methods and also reduces the surgeon’s exposure to radiation by distancing them from the source.

The ILY robotic system is developed by the French medical technology company STERLAB in partnership with globally-leading academic institutes, with a focus on creating less-invasive modes of treatment that can reduce dependence on traditional surgical techniques.

The introduction of the new technology to Shaare Zedek is being overseen by Dr. Alon Kafka, Director of the Endourology Unit, who in recent weeks has performed an initial series of procedures using the new approach. “It’s important to stress that the robot doesn't replace the dependency on the surgeon, but rather offers us a powerful and intuitive tool that significantly increases our control and maneuverability in ways like never before. This combination of advanced robotics with our surgical experience, will allow us to perform procedures with even higher assurances of patient safety, surgical accuracy - all in ways that will enhance the overall experience for both the patient and our staff,” Dr. Kafka explains.

Prof. Boris Chertin, Director of the Urology Institute at Shaare Zedek said,” The introduction of the ILY system for the first clinical application here in Israel is a further stepping stone in strengthening Shaare Zedek’s reputation for excellence and innovation. This approach expands our ability to act as regional pioneers in the fields of urology and embrace of robotic surgery in ways that are certain to enhance our patients’ experiences and allow for even safer and more effective care.”

31/08/2026

Two brothers, aged just three and five years old, were recently treated and hospitalized at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center after ingesting candies containing cannabis.

The two boys were transferred to the Glaubach Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine with symptoms of intense dizziness and confusion.

Dr. Mohammed Hamed, attending physician, together with Sarah Hafter, a nurse in the Department, performed initial examinations on the two children and suspected they were experiencing poisoning after consuming candies containing both CBD and THC- active ingredients in the cannabis plant. After reviewing the packaging from the candies, they saw that each candy contained 20 milligrams of THC and 10 of CBD and each child had swallowed two candies.

“The children were suffering from a serious episode of poisoning after being exposed to these harmful ingredients, and the three-year old boy, because of his lower weight, was particularly affected,” explained Dr. Amir Fisher, Senior Physician in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Dr. Fisher says that in these cases the most common symptoms are a state of blurred consciousness, unsteadiness on one’s feet, and changes in the patient’s heart rate. Extreme cases can result in seizures, respiratory complications, and even complete loss of consciousness resulting in the patient going into a coma.

After stabilizing their conditions, the two brothers were admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for continued monitoring and observation. After about 24 hours, upon determining the boys continued to improve with their symptoms having subsided, they were released from the hospital in good condition.

Talya Charnosvitov, Deputy Head Nurse in the Department urged parents to exercise maximum caution when it comes to young children. “We are routinely called upon to treat children who have ingested foreign substances that result in poisoning, but exposure to such a high dosage of psychoactive material is certainly a rare occurrence. I urge parents to remember that kids are naturally curious and they won’t necessarily know the difference between an innocent candy and a potentially poisonous edible product that could very well be life-threatening. Pay attention to them and keep any dangerous items and substances well out of reach."

25/08/2026

Shaare Zedek: ATV Accident Leads to Dramatic Life-Saving Diagnosis

In a recent case at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center what initially was thought to be an unfortunate accident started off a series of events that would remarkably save the patient's life.

22-year-old Chana was brought to Shaare Zedek after being injured when the ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) she and her husband were riding in flipped over. While the initial diagnosis showed she had a fractured pelvis, she underwent a comprehensive round of imaging scans, as is the protocol for injuries of this nature to rule out any additional complications.

A full-body CT scan revealed a truly dramatic – and life-saving- finding; Chana had a large aneurysm in her brain that could have ruptured at any moment which would be extremely life-threatening.

Chana was immediately transferred to the Trauma Unit where the Unit’s Director, Dr. Alon Schwartz, began overseeing her care. With consultations from relevant teams from across the hospital including neurologists, vascular medicine specialists, radiologists and others, a treatment plan was quickly put into motion.

Recognizing that the aneurysm presented an immediate threat to her life if it were to rupture, the decision was made to proceed with a brain catheterization procedure in the hospital’s Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) Unit of the Helmsley Brain Center under the direction of the Unit's director, Dr. Yaakov Amsalem. That decision, which required administering blood thinners and other medications, also impacted on the care of Chana’s pelvic injuries which the medical teams stabilized without surgical intervention.

Chana was admitted for two separate brain catheterization procedures; the first to better diagnose the condition – and then to treat it. The procedures were performed by Dr. Amsalem and Dr. Simon Comley from the INR Unit. The procedures were performed successfully with the aneurysm closed and Chana’s life saved. With her condition being closely monitored, alongside ongoing treatment of her orthopedic injuries, Chana remained hospitalized for the next two weeks. Her husband, who was lightly injured in the accident, remained by her side throughout the hospitalization, until she was released to continue rehabilitation and recovery.

Chana recalls her dramatic story saying, “As soon as I was thrown out of the ATV and landed on the ground, I thought it was all over. We were evacuated to Shaare Zedek and I was experiencing incredibly intense head pain. While undergoing the CT, I watched as more and more doctors kept coming into the room and they explained that they had found something in my brain. It turned out that this accident had saved my life.

Initially it was all a blur, and I didn’t understand what I was hearing. But I had been having headaches for a while and had tried drinking coffee and taking pain relievers to address it but I had never thought that I had a huge aneurysm in my brain. This accident was nothing less than a miracle. I have no words to thank the people at Shaare Zedek, the nurses and doctors and everyone was simply incredible and always so compassionate. I always felt I was being protected and in a good place.”

Dr. Amsalem explained, “Chana was living with a ticking time-bomb in her brain that could have exploded at any time which would have resulted in bleeding and death. This was a particularly large aneurysm, about the size of a tennis ball, positioned in an artery towards the back of the brainstem. It wasn’t just the size that threatened her life but also how it was impacting the artery. So we essentially had to rebuild the artery using a stent that would connect the blood vessels because otherwise the aneurysm would continue to expand within the affected artery.

A brain aneurysm is essentially a bulging of the blood vessels in the brain that causes the vessels to weaken and create the possibility for the life-threatening bleeding. Here at Shaare Zedek, we are unfortunately seeing more and more cases like these in younger patients which is likely related to lifestyle factors like smoking, high blood pressure, stress, and diminished physical activity. In about 50 percent of cases a brain aneurysm will result in death, 25 percent in serious handicap, and while the remainder can recover with limited long-term impact, patients often continue to experience sleeping and other behavioral issues.”

Dr. Amsalem says that these conditions do have advance warning signs and stresses that if a patient is experiencing an onset of intense headaches, becomes sensitive to light, or has neck stiffness or pain, they should present to the Emergency Department.

Dr. Schwartz added, “As a Level One Trauma Center, we see many traumatic injuries resulting from all sorts of causes. And while we never want to see someone seriously injured- in this case, if Chana hadn’t experienced her injury, it’s likely we wouldn’t have had the chance to save her life. I’m particularly proud of the multi-departmental cooperation in her care, which allowed us both to treat her injuries as well as make this life-saving diagnosis and intervention.”

21/08/2026

3x3 – Shaare Zedek Medical Center records three sets of triplets born in just one month.

Over the past month, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center, one of the world’s most active maternity hospitals, recorded no fewer than three sets of triplets born in our Wilf Woman and Infant Center.

One set was three boys, the second three girls and the third a boy and two girls. In the last case the two girls shared one placenta- an occurrence which is quite rare.

Dr. Vladimir Plotkin, Director of the Delivery Suites at Shaare Zedek said, “We take great pride in being the largest maternity hospital in Israel and among the largest in the world with over 20,000 births annually. We know these achievements are made possible due to the dedication of our midwives and doctors whose expertise and compassion allow each mother and infant to know they have all the care and medical attention they need and deserve.”

Limor Hexter, a Shaare Zedek midwife who participated in one of the triplet deliveries said, “Every new life we are blessed to help bring into the world reminds us that this isn’t just a job but is an incredible privilege. Triplet or even larger multiple births are something that we encounter from time to time and are always so special to be a part of but to see three triplet births in just a month is particularly outstanding.”

Talia, who gave birth to the two girls and a boy, was carefully monitored at Shaare Zedek throughout a complex pregnancy said, “The path to this moment was certainly not simple. Even prior to this pregnancy we had experienced two miscarriages and in one of them I was in serious condition. Out of that pain but with a constant longing for more children, we were always guided by faith and tefilla (prayer).

Among the practices we took on was to pray fervently during the first half hour after the lighting of the Chanuka candles and Rabbi Baruch Shraga, shlita, was with us throughout the entire pregnancy. In addition, my husband Maor, would produce a weekly video about the parsha called “Maor HaShabbat” that connected stories of fallen IDF soldiers to the holy text “Or Hachaim”.

The extended Shaare Zedek community wishes a huge mazal tov to all the new parents. As always we express our thanks to our “heroes”, the medical and support staff who help bring the miracle of life to thousands of families every year.

17/08/2026

Shaare Zedek Staff Go Above And Beyond to Facilitate Emotional Wedding

Due to a complex medical condition that requires she remain connected to respiratory support at all times, Chana is being treated in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

In light of the severity of her condition, Chana’s daughter Michal, together with her fiance Tal, decided to push up the date of their wedding and to hold the ceremony alongside their mother in the hospital.

To ensure maximum enjoyment and meaning for the happy event, while still ensuring Chana’s respiratory support could continue uninterrupted, the medical and nursing staff made extra efforts to provide a specialized medical device only available at Shaare Zedek which allowed her to attend with dignity and without compromising her care.

The special arrangements for the wedding were coordinated by the hospital’s Religious Services Department, the Respiratory Support Unit, and the staff of the Surgical ICU. Chana was connected to the special device that provided continued high oxygen flow and monitoring capabilities that was equipped with an extended-life battery so she wouldn’t be limited in her time away from the ICU.

Accompanied by the hospital staff, Chana made her way out of her ICU bed and was able to attend the ceremony alongside dozens of her family and friends who had gathered in the nearby Family Room. They all rejoiced together blessing the young couple for a happy life ahead - and Chana for a speedy recovery.

12/08/2026

“Sadly, every year about 20,000 people suffer from strokes in Israel and a significant percentage are left with permenant disability as a result,” explains Dr. Roni Eichel, Director of the Department of Neurology in the Helmsley Brain Center at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Speaking to Ynet he said, “A brain stroke is an urgent case of disruption of blood flow in a specific area of the brain caused by a blockage or narrowing of blood vessels in the neck or in the brain. With every minute that passes from the moment the stroke occurs, about two million neurons in the brain die.”

One of the primary ways for treating ischemic strokes (blockages in a blood vessel) is to deliver a clot-dissolving drug via IV into the patient with the goal of breaking up the blockage and allow the blood to effectively back into the affected area. This approach calls for a standard of treatment whereby medical teams have about 4.5 hours to inject this clot-busting drug.

A recent international study published in one of the world’s leading medical journals collated data from 14 individual studies that analyzed data from more than neurology 4,000 patients. The study found that in specific patients that 4.5 hour window could be extended, although there was a heightened risk of spontaneous intracranial bleeding.

“This finding is very important and encouraging news, because it means that we can increase the range of patients who can benefit from intravenous care for stroke,” Dr. Eichel said in referencing the study. “Certainly we need to carefully select which patients are still eligible for this approach and not everyone who arrives beyond the 4.5 hour window will be treated this way because we know that the drugs do increase some risks such as by opening an artery it can lead to bleeding in the brain.”

“As effective as stroke treatment can be, far more importantly is for people to focus on the aspects of living that can prevent the onset of stroke,” Dr. Eichel stresses. “This means maintaining healthy lifestyle by avoiding risk factors like obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle so as to avoid getting to the stage where one is at higher risk for stroke. In the event that a patient begins to feel a sensation of sudden weakening on one side of the body, asymmetry in the face or difficulties communicating or relating to ones surroundings, one should immediately call an ambulance and get to a hospital - because every minute matters.”

To learn more about the conversation with Dr. Eichel you can read the Ynet article (in Hebrew) in the first comment.

09/08/2026

In the wake of the events of October 7th, Dr. Norman Saffra, an internationally-respected expert in retinal care decided to come to Israel to volunteer at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Dr. Saffra, an expert in Neuro-Opthalmlogy is a Chair of the Departments of Opthalmology at Maimonides Midwood Medical Center and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in New York.

Now the second year in a row that he has come to Israel, Dr. Saffra spent the past several weeks in our Eye Institute treating patients and training medical residents.

Following October 7th, 2023, he made the decision to obtain a license to practice medicine in Israel and has embarked on the process to gain Israeli citizenship with the hopes of making aliyah.

“I chose Shaare Zedek because this is the place that is most compassionate and professional in the field of opthalmology among all Israeli hospitals and even on the international level,” he explains.

Dr. Saffra also has helped financially support the hospital raising monies towards the purchase of OCT equipment to be used in the Eye Institute.

The Shaare Zedek administration and Dr. David Tzadok, Director of the Eye Institute express their deep appreciation to Dr. Saffra on his spirit of volunteerisim and support for Israel and for choosing to share his professional experience and talents for the benefit of our patients, staff and the hospital at large.

06/08/2026

The Shaare Zedek Medical Center community mourns the loss of our dear friend Hillel Lebovits z”l who passed away yesterday following a lengthy illness.

Hillel served as one of the senior members of the Executive Committee of Shaare Zedek’s Board of Directors. A highly respected and accomplished educator, he was an instrumental figure in the Jerusalem educational community.

His relationship with Shaare Zedek spans more than 40 years. In his capacity with the Board, he acted with dedication and compassion volunteering to advance the mission of our hospital - and ensure its forward development on behalf of the people of Jerusalem and Israel.

Hillel was a man of tremendous vision, and always someone who sought to take ideas and transform them into action.

He sought out unique ways to help those in need and his life’s legacy will be defined by that pursuit of charitable giving and caring – always with humility and uncompromising integrity.

Perhaps his greatest achievement was his ability to pay attention to the needs of the individual, a trait which motivated his passion for each and every one of our hospital’s patients.

His demeanor that endeared him to everyone he met will be sorely missed, and his memory will always remain dear within the Shaare Zedek family through the countless projects his life's work helped make possible.

We express our deep condolences to Rachel, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

בבניין ירושלים תנוחמו

27/07/2026

When Sarah Levy of Jerusalem was informed that she was pregnant with a particularly rare and complex triplet pregnancy composed of identical twins sharing one placenta and then a third fetus- she and her husband realized they were facing a particularly challenging and potentially dangerous time ahead. They were informed that ensuring the continued viability of the pregnancy and the health of the mother and fetuses demanded they consider a range of potential options.

The couple sought out the advice of Dr. Tamar Shalem, Director of the Maternity B Unit in the Wilf Woman and Infant Center at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center who extensively reviewed the case before determining that with careful monitoring and care the pregnancy could progress safely.

That advice proved to be the medical blessing the couple needed and this week Sarah and her husband returned with their hands full carrying their three sons, alongside their older sister. The babies are all healthy and full of life and happily keeping their parents busy.

The couple expressed their immense gratitude saying, “We immediately felt that we were in the best possible hands, the professional guidance combined with empathy and a sense that we could always turn to them whatever the need . In particular the caring of Dr. Shalem is a big part of what gave us the strength, hope and calm to persevere even in the more difficult moments.”

The triplets were delivered by Ceserean Section at 28 weeks of the pregnancy, with each baby born weighing over a kilogram (2.2 lbs). They were cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Shaare Zedek for about two months before being released strong and healthy.

Dr. Shalem explained, “This was a particularly rare and challenging pregnancy that combined the risks of any triplet pregnancy together with that of identical twins sharing one placenta. We accompanied the couple throughout the whole process and to our great joy the story concluded with three healthy babies. We all share the joy of the Levy family and wish these three boys lives of health, happiness and a lot of fun alongside each other. We want to thank the incredible staff of our NICU at Shaare Zedek that helped these babies grow with their dedication and professionalism until we were able to send them home in their parents arms.”

26/07/2026

The Glaubach Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center recently recorded two very similar cases that serve as a warning sign for parents of young children.

Over the course of just twelve hours two young patients presented after having ingested a potentially harmful liquid inside a keyring. The children, aged 11 months and 18 months, arrived at the hospital with their parents describing how they had chewed open the key chain and swallowed some of the liquid inside.

One of the children had apparently ingested enough of the substance that he presented looking dazed while the second was displaying initial signs of respiratory distress indicating the liquid had reached the lungs.

After confirming the causes behind their symptoms, both children were admitted for observation and continued treatment.

Dr. Matti Erlichman, Senior Physician in the Pediatric ER explained, “While we don’t know the exact nature of the liquid that is inside these keychains, we know that there are many similar types of products being sold on the market. It’s very important that parents be aware of these dangers and ideally they should refrain from buying such products if they have children around and certainly be careful to avoid exposing kids to the chance they will find them and put them in their mouths.”

Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem

02/09/2026

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