Rebuilding the Heart of Lifesaving Care at Soroka

The Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care is the backbone of lifesaving care at Soroka Medical Center, supporting every emergency surgery, trauma case, and critical procedure.

Following a missile strike in June 2025, Soroka Medical Center is rebuilding a modern 10,800-square-foot Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care.

As the foundation for all trauma, surgical, and intensive care activity, this project ensures our teams are equipped to save lives every hour of every day.

• Advanced Training: High-tech simulation areas for high-pressure trauma and airway management.

• Enhanced Coordination: Dedicated spaces for multidisciplinary consults and mass-casualty response.

• Enduring Impact: Strengthening long-term emergency readiness and clinical care.

Support the Project

Dedicate the new department with a lead gift of $5M, recognized prominently on-site and on Soroka’s central donor wall. Other meaningful giving levels are also available upon request.

For more information and giving opportunities please contact: Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director American Friends of Soroka Medical Center Office: 914-725-9070 | Mobile: 914-582-6750

Rebuilding Soroka: Restoring Critical Capacity

For more than six decades, Soroka Medical Center has stood as a cornerstone of strength, healing, and hope. Its clinicians deliver babies, perform complex surgeries, treat traumatic injuries, provide highly specialized care, and advance scientific discoveries for communities that otherwise would have to travel far from home. Soroka is a gateway to the Negev and a strategic asset for the State of Israel.

The past few years have brought Soroka to the center of national emergencies. Following the attacks of October 7, 2023, Soroka treated thousands of wounded civilians and soldiers. The hospital mobilized immediately, relocating departments, reinforcing critical units, and receiving mass casualties even as rockets and missiles targeted the region. Its teams worked around the clock to save lives under extraordinary circumstances.

The escalation of June 2025 marked a devastating turning point. A ballistic missile fired from Iran struck Soroka directly, destroying the six-floor Northern Surgical Building and forcing the evacuation of multiple departments, laboratories, and clinics. Yet by that same evening, the medical center was prepared once again to receive trauma patients, demonstrating the commitment, professionalism, and courage that define the institution.

Today, Soroka must rebuild, expand, and modernize while continuing to operate amid evolving security threats. Under Operation Roaring Lion, the hospital returned to full emergency footing, activating wartime protocols, relocating patients into fortified areas in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines, and integrating departments to maintain continuity of care under fire.

Transformational Funding Priorities

Rebuilding Soroka: Restoring Critical Capacity

The destruction of the Northern Surgical Building and the displacement of hundreds of beds have made rebuilding an urgent national mission. One of the first priorities is the full renovation of the Internal Medicine Building, which houses six floors of inpatient units caring for patients with complex, chronic, and acute medical conditions.

Renovations will include modernized patient rooms, updated infrastructure, reinforced spaces, and improved staff work areas to ensure both safety and dignity in care. Soroka is also expanding its Southern Surgical Building, adding two new floors to support critical surgical specialties and restore the capacity the medical center needs for the years ahead.

In addition, Soroka is planning to build a new New Medical Tower which will be Soroka’s long-term response. This state-of-the-art protected facility will transform the hospital’s ability to provide uninterrupted care during both routine operations and national emergencies while meeting the healthcare needs of the Negev’s rapidly growing population.

Designed as an 11-story, 65,000-square-meter medical tower, the project will add approximately 500 protected inpatient beds and consolidate many of Soroka’s most critical services into one highly integrated clinical environment. The tower will house Internal Medicine, Neurology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Geriatrics, the Heart Institute, the Brain Institute, protected Intensive Care Units, 12 operating rooms, advanced imaging, dialysis services, and multilevel underground emergency hospital infrastructure capable of functioning during prolonged security events.

Upon completion, anticipated in 1933, the tower will dramatically increase Soroka’s protected clinical capacity  More than replacing what was lost, the New Medical Tower will establish a new national standard for resilient hospital design, allowing lifesaving care to continue without interruption while improving patient flow, clinical efficiency, family-centered care, and access to advanced medical technologies.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070 | Mobile: 914-582-6750

Building Hope and Healing for Southern Israel

The events of October 7, 2023, and the prolonged war that followed created the most severe mental health crisis in Israel’s history. Survivors, hostages and their families, soldiers, healthcare workers, and entire communities continue to face unprecedented levels of trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Nowhere is this need greater than in southern Israel. As the only tertiary medical center serving more than one million residents of the Negev, Soroka is uniquely positioned to lead the region’s mental health recovery. Yet the South continues to face a critical shortage of psychiatric beds, specialized treatment programs, and integrated hospital-based mental healthcare.

To meet this urgent need, Soroka is building a new Center for Mental Health, a comprehensive facility that will unite advanced psychiatric care with the resources of a leading academic medical center, ensuring patients receive truly integrated care for both their physical and emotional health.

Spanning approximately 14,000 square meters, the new Center for Mental Health will provide a comprehensive continuum of care for children, adolescents, and adults. The center will include inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, crisis intervention, psychiatric day treatment, specialized eating disorders care, early childhood mental health services, and advanced interventional psychiatry, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Designed to promote healing and recovery, the facility will also feature therapeutic gardens and restorative treatment environments, while serving as a hub for education and training to prepare the next generation of mental health professionals.

The new center will serve approximately 430 inpatients and more than 40,000 outpatient visits annually, dramatically expanding access to specialized mental healthcare while creating a new model for integrated psychiatric and medical treatment in Israel.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070 | Mobile: 914-582-6750

Advancing Urologic Care in Southern Israel

Over the past several years Soroka’s Department of Urology has evolved into one of Israel’s leading centers for robotic surgery uro-oncology and advanced urologic care serving both the residents of the Negev and an expanding national referral population.

In 2024, Soroka inaugurated The new Dr. Joel Sheinfeld Urology Institute which consolidate clinical services, advanced operating rooms, ambulatory care, and research infrastructure within a purpose-built, spacious, and protected facility.

The Department of Urology continues to play a central role in Soroka Medical Center’s broader vision of advancing protected innovative and patient centered healthcare for southern Israel. As the region’s population continues to grow the department is expanding its capabilities in robotic surgery uro-oncology minimally invasive procedures and complex reconstructive care while strengthening its role as a national referral center for advanced urologic treatment.

Alongside its clinical excellence the department is deeply committed to research innovation and medical education. Soroka’s urology teams are actively involved in groundbreaking studies and international collaborations that advance the understanding diagnosis and treatment of complex urologic diseases while helping train the next generation of Israeli physicians surgeons and healthcare professionals.

As Soroka rebuilds and looks toward the future continued philanthropic partnership will help complete the next phase of the department’s development including modern protected inpatient spaces expanded patient centered care areas and advanced medical infrastructure designed to ensure the highest level of care for the residents of the Negev for generations to come.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070 | Mobile: 914-582-6750

Where advanced cancer treatment and breakthrough research come together

With the help and generosity of our dear friends we were able to build a comprehensive Oncology Center that occupies 15,000 square meters (over 160,000 square feet) on six floors and allows our patients to receive comprehensive patient centered care under one roof and close to home.

More than 15,000 cancer patients are treated every year at Soroka. Each year, an average of 2,500 adult patients are newly diagnosed with cancer. In recent years, there has been an increase in diagnosis of all types of cancer, especially lung, bladder, and breast cancer, in the southern region.

The Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry Norton Institute form a comprehensive oncology center that provides state-of-the-art treatment to the diverse population of our region. It houses all treatment units under one roof and provides patients with world-class facilities, saving lives and greatly improving their well-being and that of their families.

Researchers at Soroka conduct ground-breaking research to discover better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Advanced neonatal care in a protected family centered environment

The Neonatal Department at Soroka Medical Center is the busiest in Israel and one of the country’s leading centers for neonatal and premature infant care. Serving the rapidly growing population of the Negev the department provides advanced lifesaving treatment for thousands of newborns every year including premature infants and babies born with complex medical conditions requiring intensive and specialized care. More than 15% of newborns require some level of neonatal intervention or monitoring making the department a critical lifeline for families across southern Israel.

Soroka’s neonatal teams combine compassionate family centered care with advanced medical technology and internationally recognized clinical expertise.

Soroka Medical Center is establishing a new Neonatal Care Center that will serve newborns throughout the Negev and provide world class medical care in a family oriented environment that is fully protected against missile attacks.

The new Neonatal Care Center will be housed in a four story missile proof building spanning 5,730 square meters more than 61,500 square feet and is planned for completion by the end of 2026. The project will answer a critical and urgent need for protected neonatal care infrastructure in southern Israel while significantly expanding the department’s capacity to meet the region’s rapid population growth.

The new center will increase the number of intensive and special care beds from 58 to 88 and will include a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit an Intermediate Care Unit advanced treatment areas isolation rooms and welcoming family spaces including dedicated family lounges and support areas.

Designed around the philosophy of family centered integrated care the new center will create an environment where parents can remain close to their babies throughout hospitalization. Premature and critically ill newborns need not only advanced medical treatment but also the comfort presence and support of their families. The new facility will provide private and compassionate spaces that help families feel safe supported and connected creating a true second home during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Shaping the Future of Healthcare

Healthcare is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by advances in technology, data science, and artificial intelligence. To remain at the forefront of medical innovation, Soroka Medical Center has established its Innovation Center, a dynamic hub where clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders collaborate to transform groundbreaking ideas into solutions that improve patient care and shape the future of medicine.

Built on one of Israel’s richest longitudinal clinical datasets, world-class medical expertise, close collaboration with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and a strong network of national and international partners, the Innovation Center provides the ideal environment to develop, test, and scale innovative healthcare technologies with global impact.

Located in a landmark building at the heart of Soroka’s campus, which welcomes approximately 20,000 visitors each day, the 600-square-meter, two-story center features an AI and data science hub, collaborative workspaces, meeting and demonstration areas, startup incubator space, and innovation labs designed to accelerate the next generation of healthcare breakthroughs.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld
Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Headed by Prof. Ohad Birk, brings together basic scientific research and effective translational clinical applications.

Different segments of society face unique medical concerns. Genetic diseases are one of the most striking examples of this. Ashkenazi Jews and the Bedouin community, for example, suffer disproportionately from very specific hereditary diseases. The Genetics Institute is tackling these often life-threatening challenges head-on. Using best practice techniques in carrier testing, clinical and prenatal diagnosis, and genetic counseling, Soroka is making the Negev a healthier place to live for people from every walk of life.

The Genetics Institute at Soroka, brings together basic scientific research and effective translational clinical applications. Genetic diseases are common in the various ethnic Jewish communities in the Negev and the Bedouin communities, in which marriages between close relatives are common.

The Genetics Research Lab has deciphered the molecular basis and mechanisms of more than 50 human diseases, including some of the most prevalent and serious hereditary diseases of Arabs and Jews. These discoveries have led to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of other medical conditions.Our team also implements their scientific findings in wide-scale, far-reaching carrier screening programs that have led to a 30% reduction in the infant mortality rate in the Bedouin community and the near eradication of two of the hereditary diseases most common among Jews of Moroccan and Iraqi origin. With the advent of new technologies that enable more rapid and less costly genome sequencing, once unique new genes are identified, they can immediately be used in pre-pregnancy screening in target populations. These advances enable our scientists and clinicians to eliminate conditions that place significant burdens on patients and their families.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Establishing the Negev BioBank, positioning Soroka on the leading edge of biotech development

The Negev Biobank is a unique database that represents the entire population of the Negev and contains biological samples and genetic, clinical, and environmental data. This main focus of the database is population-based research, and it is thus expected to facilitate studies on aspects of health and disease among the unique populations living in the Negev and promote research collaboration between physicians at Soroka Medical Center and research staff at Ben-Gurion University. Its vision is to promote personalized medicine, prevent, and cure future diseases by creating a groundbreaking and multidisciplinary research infrastructure. A database of biological samples and population-based data is of great scientific significance in terms of the efficiency and accuracy of the diagnostic processes of many diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

The André Cohen Deloro Medical Research Institute

A joint venture of Soroka Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

The Vision

Soroka is a leading university medical center that serves as a model for education and research. In 2010, the Clinical Research Center was established at Soroka with the aim of promoting research at the hospital, providing support for its implementation, and training future generations of physician-researchers. Thanks to its establishment, the importance of research has become part of the hospital’s organizational culture.

The Mission

Today’s physicians seek to integrate rapidly accelerating global technological advancements with their knowledge and develop simultaneously in the fields of medicine, science, and technology. Research at Soroka is extensive and includes clinical, translational, and data science in all the health professions. More than 500 studies are conducted annually at Soroka.In order to continue to develop and significantly advance research at Soroka, we are constructing a dedicated medical research building, to be named the André Cohen Deloro Medical Research Institute, in collaboration with the Adelis Foundation and The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Institute will position Soroka at the forefront of research and innovation in Israel and around the world as a leader in developing personalized medicine, as well as preventing and curing disease. We have created a groundbreaking multidisciplinary research infrastructure based on a broad pool of biological, genetic, clinical, and environmental data and samples. The Institute will serve as a research incubator, attract leading physicians and outstanding researchers in the fields of biomedical science, and create and maintain scientific collaborations with leading research groups at universities and hospitals in North America and the European Union. It will assist in raising the funds that will help to establish intra-organizational research grant programs.

Looking Toward the Future

Soroka Medical Center is located at the heart of the first “innovation district” in Israel established by the Israeli government in recognition of the Soroka’s great potential in contributing to innovations in medicine. This district makes it possible to expand cooperation between relevant parties in Israel and abroad with startups, pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, researchers from other universities, and more. Soroka is a key partner of the innovation district, and the new medical research Institute will be at the very heart of the district’s work.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Post-Hospitalization Project for Holocaust Survivors including the writing of Survivors’ Personal Story

There are currently 176,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel, with 7,800 in Be’er Sheva, and thousands more in the surrounding cities. Soroka Medical Center devotes extensive resources to support the medical needs of this community with great sensitivity and continually seeks ways to improve their comfort, and physical and mental.

At Soroka, some 85 Holocaust Survivors are hospitalized each day. In 2021, approximately 3,000 Holocaust Survivors with various diseases, diminished mental and physical functioning, and severe loneliness, were hospitalized. The proposed program includes the establishment of a cadre of student volunteers, students of medicine, nursing, and various other health professions to uniquely address these concerns and to work with Holocaust Survivors to tell and document their stories. This team will accompany and support Holocaust Survivors in a home setting to provide relief from feelings of loneliness and increase Survivors’ sense of social belonging.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Rehabilitation Medicine for Optimal Quality of Life

The field of rehabilitation medicine, whose goal is to decrease disabilities and limitations caused by illness or injury, has been developing rapidly and has increasingly entered the public consciousness. But while the development of society, the continuing improvement in our quality of life, and the successes of modern medicine have contributed to the fact that we are healthier and live longer lives than ever before, we are still subject to diseases and injuries that may be accompanied by disturbances of functioning. For this reason, rehabilitation medicine is now more important than ever before.

Rehabilitation is an intensive, extensive, and dynamic process of diagnosis and treatment that involves multidisciplinary teams of professionals striving to help people deal with the negative functional outcomes of illness or injury, which often include physical, emotional, sensory, and cognitive impairments, to significantly improve their functioning. Rehabilitation has a decisive influence on the quality of life of people who suffer from acute and chronic medical conditions. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is for these patients to be able to function independently at home and in society and enjoy the best quality of life possible for them. Therefore, a multistep, multi-component plan that combines inpatient rehabilitation in the hospital and rehabilitation in the community is essential for the modern rehabilitation process.Rehabilitation treatment is provided by unique multidisciplinary teams that operate in an integrated manner to serve patients and promote their wellbeing. Various professions are involved in the rehabilitation system: rehabilitation medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and communication therapy, psychology, social work, and others. Rehabilitation treatment plans are constructed according to a specialized rehabilitation program under the direction of the team leader, a physician whose specialty is rehabilitation medicine.

Soroka is a strategic asset of the State of Israel and the country’s “iron dome of health” in routine times and during emergencies for civilians and IDF soldiers alike. Soroka is recognized for its excellent clinical care and leads the country in many areas, including genetics, obstetrics and gynecology, infection control, and emergency care and preparedness. On Saturday, October 7th 2023, as war erupted, Soroka Medical Center confronted challenges of an unparalleled magnitude — challenges no other hospital in Israel has ever had to face.  The magnitude of casualties was overwhelming. The number of wounded, the severity of the injuries, and the rate at which they arrived at our emergency department all challenged our treatment capacity. On the first day of the war, we treated over 670 casualties, with more than 130 of them seriously or critically injured. In times of war, the field of rehabilitation medicine assumes a pivotal role in the healing and recovery process of those affected by conflict. It is a beacon of hope amidst adversity, offering specialized care to individuals grappling with physical and psychological injuries. This is especially true at Soroka Medical Center, as we stand on the frontlines of treating casualties and are the primary destination for the most severely injured individuals. The number of hospital beds designated for rehabilitation medicine in the entire southern region of Israel (60% of the country’s landmass) comprises a mere 0.5% of the country’s total rehabilitation beds, often forcing patients and their families to travel long distances to receive proper treatment.In 2015, Soroka Medical Center established a 20-bed rehabilitation facility. Nonetheless, a tremendous gap still exists in rehabilitation medicine in the Negev. To correct this significant problem, Soroka Medical Center is establishing a new comprehensive Rehabilitation Medicine Center, which will provide.

• Continuity of care and treatment for patients from the emergency department and trauma unit, medical and surgical wards, and outpatient services
• Pediatric rehabilitation, not previously available in the Negev
• Optimal rehabilitation treatment close to home, sparing patients and their families the burden of travelling to the center of the country, and allowing families to provide the support that comprises a vital component of the rehabilitation process
• State-of-the-art comprehensive rehabilitation services for the residents of the entire Negev

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

On the Front Line of Saving Lives at Soroka Medical Center

Soroka Medical Center, located in Beer-Sheva, is one of Israel’s largest, most active, and most strategically significant hospitals, serving more than million residents in a region that comprises 60% of the country’s land area. In light of the hospital’s location, the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Trauma Unit face unique challenges. We are proud that this department was declared a National Center of Excellence by Clalit Health Services this year.

When it was opened in its new format in 2001, the Emergency Department (ED) at Soroka was the most modern such facility in the country. Even then it was busy and crowded. Today, it has become the busiest and most crowded in Israel, with more than 287,000 visits annually. It is safe to say that few EDs around the world have a comparable scope of activity.

Soroka Medical Center is a strategic asset for the State of Israel and the country’s “iron dome of health” in routine times and during emergencies, serving and saving civilians and IDF soldiers alike.Just 40 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, Soroka provides trauma and acute care to the residents of the Negev as well as IDF soldiers serving in or near the Negev. Located adjacent to the main north-to-south highway, Soroka also provides emergency and trauma care for the far too many patients injured in motor vehicle accidents. Moreover, the rate of injured children is high in the Negev region, and many of these patients are brought to Soroka for surgery. Desert hikers are also among those who arrive for surgery following accidents in the field.

In the early morning of Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023, the sound of sirens pierced the skies, and all of Israel (and indeed the world) awoke to a new reality, something we had never experienced.Missiles were launched, and terrorists infiltrated towns and villages across southern Israel. There was widespread shooting. The treatment of casualties was delayed in the field for hours on end, and, to add to our horror, many soldiers and civilians were abducted to Gaza. The magnitude of the event was overwhelming. The number of wounded, the severity of the injuries, and the rate at which they arrived at our Emergency Department all challenged our treatment capacity. On the first day of the war, we treated over 670 casualties, more than 130 of them seriously or critically injured.

The Frances and Nathan Kirsh Emergency Department

Our emergency department has been the busiest in the country, even before the war. Every year, we set new records for the number of patients who come in seeking medical attention. Since the current ED was opened some 20 years ago, we have seen an increase of 35% in patient visits – tens of thousands of patients more. In the past 5 years alone, there has been an increase of 10% in patient visits to the ED. Despite the impact of the war, we have continued to see a rise in the number of patients seeking emergency care, setting yet another record. The high volume of patients requires an adequate facility with a larger space to accommodate them and provide a suitable environment for the medical team to deliver exceptional care. Early on October 7th, we doubled the number of trauma beds at each of the 6 treatment bays, allowing us to treat two critically wounded patients at each bay and a total of 12 casualties simultaneously, with a total of over 130 throughout the first day. This increase in capacity enabled us to provide timely life-saving treatment to everyone who needed it and clearly demonstrates the need to expand our trauma unit.

The total area of the new expanded emergency department will increase by 21,500 square feet, which is a 50% increase. Forty-four emergency beds will be added, and the Trauma Unit will be expanded by 2,640 square feet with a third more trauma beds added.

The expanded ED will be divided into wings: two acute care wings, the walk-in wing, the orthopedic wing, and the Trauma wing as well as the triage area, family waiting areas, on-call physicians’ rooms, and treatment bays. In each of the wings, we are planning to have a central command center operated by nurses and physicians to enable better monitoring of patients. It will also include isolation rooms, a standardized medication room (which we currently lack), and will enable us to improve our medical simulation capabilities using the trauma area (when not in-use for treating trauma cases) for medical simulation training. The new area will include a dedicated area for patients and families’ welfare, with an information kiosk for updated patient status, food vendor area, waiting and rest areas, and more.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

As the center point of The Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry Norton Institute healing garden The History of the Star of David is a cultural and artistic attraction for people, tour groups and students to visit Soroka and Beer Sheva.

Reach For The Stars

The Star of David or Magen David (Shield of David) in Hebrew, is the most universally recognized symbol of Judaism. Named after King David of ancient Israel, this six-pointed star (hexagram) consists of two interlocking equilateral triangles, one facing up and one facing down. The long and complex history of this symbol spans centuries and bears witness to the depths and heights of the journey of the Jewish people. The development of this symbol and the meanings it has come to evoke are a result of its prolifera- tion from remote antiquity up to the current State of Israel in the twenty-first century.

Marc Bennett’s The History of the Star of David is an artwork that is immediately engaging, drawing you into its world on many levels. Color is used boldly and deliberately, creating a mood that is both exciting and emotional. The artist’s careful selection and juxtaposition of the images of the Star of David establishes a stimulating narrative and visual rhythm. The images seem both familiar as well as newly discovered, expansive yet contained. We are left with a sense of awe, a timeless glimpse into the birth of a symbol from its earliest incarnations to its current universality of meaning. It evokes a sense of survival and determination, as well as a celebration of Jewish culture, tradition and faith.

Artist Marc Bennett has created a work of art that is destined to become a cultural icon. His The History of the Star of David invites viewers to take an historical journey with this iconic symbol. A journey that brings to life a rich history of triumphs and struggles and offers hope and promise for our future survival – the perfect counterpart to Soroka’s life-saving mission. The artist, in collaboration with Soroka, will further develop related projects that include educational and school components, traveling exhibits and video modules, intended to enhance the educational value of the art, and promote Soroka and Jewish engagement. Not only will the hospital be acquiring an engaging artwork celebrating Jewish culture, history and identity, but an important work that will be promoted globally as a 21st century movement representing Jewish life and future survival.

A Philanthropic Partnership

The History of the Star of David project believes that giving back is part of Jewish heritage and an important part of the future survival of the Jewish people, so they will donate to Soroka Medical Center 10% of gross revenues generated from all worldwide limited edition fine art sales, merchandising and licensing in perpetuity. The merchandise will be sold in retail stores, museums, galleries, Jewish institutions and websites globally.

Additionally, to support on-site tourism, the project will provide merchandise that will be available for sale at Soroka’s gift shop and on line on their website. This will heighten international awareness for Soroka and create a continual revenue stream for the Medical Center and the Cancer Center in perpetuity.

Product merchandising and licensing is a natural brand extension that will maximize and sustain revenues stemming from The History of the Star of David series of works. The emotional connection between this iconic cultural symbol and its eye-catching color will be easily adapted to all types of consumer products including; home goods, clothing, tech accessories, posters, stationary, greeting cards, and jewelry. The brand extensions for this are endless, limited only by imagination!

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Bringing hope and blessing to young Israeli families

The introduction of PGT has made it possible to select disease-free embryos before they are transferred into the uterus in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) processes. This technique allows families who carry genetic mutations and who, for religious or other reasons would not consider abortion, to have children who are free of specific genetic diseases. The procedure alleviates physical suffering and emotional distress in all such families.PGT begins with the usual process of in-vitro fertilization, which includes egg retrieval and fertilization in a laboratory. After fertilization, a small number of cells are removed from each of the embryos using a microscope and micromanipulation devices. Analysis of the removed cells enables the identification of disease-free embryos. Once the PGT procedure is completed, one of the healthy embryos is placed into the uterus. Any additional embryos that are free of genetic problems may also be frozen for later use.

PGT is offered in Israel as part of the national health insurance program and is free of charge to the patient. It has the potential to prevent great suffering and lead to significant subsequent savings as well to the Israeli health system through the prevention of disease. Currently, patients from the southern region of Israel must travel to other regions in order to take advantage of PGT. As a consequence, some of them are unable or choose not to go through this process at all. Those who do choose to go to distant medical centers for PGT must also undergo all subsequent IVF treatments at those centers, and are thus faced with a significant burden of additional expenses and inconvenience.  In the Negev region, incurable inherited genetic diseases that cause serious medical problems and great hardship to affected children and their families are unfortunately very common. Therefore, PGT is a vital and extremely important technology. For a population of more than one million people in southern Israel, until recently, there was no facility for PGT.In 2022, for the first time in the southern region of Israel, Soroka Medical Center began to offer PGT services. The establishment of these services had an immediate impact on the quality of care and our ability to prevent many severe genetic diseases through PGT without the need for abortions.

A Healthy baby was born to parents who are both carriers of a severe hereditary disease thanks to advanced genetic testing at Soroka Medical Center of the Clalit Group

This remarkable birth was made possible through Soroka’s new PGT service, which is performed prior to pregnancy in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The program is a collaborative effort between Soroka’s Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Human Genetics, and Fertility and IVF Unit and Laboratory.Unlike traditional prenatal tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, which are conducted during pregnancy, PGT allows for the early detection of genetic disorders before an embryo is even implanted helping parents avoid the agonizing decision of terminating an affected pregnancy.Who Can Benefit?PGT is recommended for couples with a known risk of passing on hereditary diseases—for instance, if one partner is affected by a genetic disorder or if both are carriers. Currently, the procedure is included in Israel’s public health basket and is funded for up to two healthy births.How Does It Work?

1. Genetic Counseling: At Soroka’s Institute of Human Genetics, specialists assess the family’s genetic risk.
2. Custom Test Development: A diagnostic system is tailored to identify the specific gene mutation, based on blood samples from the couple and possibly family members.
3. IVF Process Initiation: The couple begins fertility treatment at Soroka’s IVF Unit.
4. Embryo Creation: Eggs are retrieved, fertilized in the lab, and cultured to form embryos.
5. Embryo Biopsy: A small number of cells are carefully removed from each embryo.
6. Genetic Testing: Only embryos free of the targeted genetic condition are selected.
7. Embryo Transfer: A healthy embryo is implanted; others may be preserved for future use.

The test is highly reliable (approximately 97%), but follow-up diagnostic testing during pregnancy is still recommended for confirmation.Dr. Shirley Amar, Director of the Genetics Laboratory at Soroka, emphasized the importance of the service: “PGT offers new hope to families at genetic risk. From identifying and validating the mutation to designing personalized tests and performing final diagnosis—all these critical stages are handled in our lab. This service is a significant advancement for residents of the Negev, and we are proud to be part of it.”Dr. Arie Koifman, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics, highlighted the teamwork involved: “PGT is a complex journey from genetic counseling led by our expert Ms. Elena Maskit, to precise diagnostics and lab work. The collaboration between our Institute and the IVF Unit makes it possible to bring healthy children into the world, even in the face of serious genetic risk.”Prof. Iris Har-Vardi, Director of the IVF and Male Fertility Laboratory: “PGT combines cutting-edge science with personalized care. It requires seamless coordination between geneticists, fertility experts, and laboratory teams and we’re proud to offer this advanced treatment at Soroka.”Dr. Atif Zeadna, Director of the Fertility and IVF Unit: “By uniting genetic and reproductive medicine, we can offer truly personalized care that ensures a healthy future for both child and family. It’s a challenging process, but one that we approach with the utmost dedication.”

Located at Soroka’s Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry Norton Institute

Why Spiritual Counseling Initiative?

Spiritual health is a vital part of a patient’s profile and recovery. Research has determined that spiritual counseling addresses patients’ spiritual needs and is associated with results desired by any caregiver: a higher quality of life, less fear and anxiety, and a general feeling of peace. The presence of a chaplain or spiritual figure as amember of medical team provides for coordination in addressing spiritual needs, and it simultaneously enables the physician to focus on medical treatment.

Objectives

• Develop and initiate pastoral and spiritual care protocols
• Assess the effectiveness of spiritual intervention
• Establish a pastoral counseling program that can address the spiritual needs of the patients in the Negev and serve as a model in the field

“Our team’s vision is to define the spiritual needs of cancer patients and tend to them in order to achieve the many benefits of spiritual health.”

-Rabbi Benjamin Siris

Founder Pastoral Care Program, Soroka Medical Center

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld
Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Expanding specialized pediatric care for the future of the Negev

The Saban Childrens Hospital at Soroka Medical Center is the second largest children’s hospital in Israel, with more than 200 hospital beds, 40,000 visits to the Pediatric ER, and tens of thousands of visits to clinics and outpatient facilities. All services in the subspecialties are provided in designated areas adapted to children’s needs. The Saban Childrens Hospital at Soroka serves a population of approximately 400,000 children throughout the Negev with morbidity characteristics unique in Israel and the world for which we have developed special skills: metabolic diseases, eye diseases, neurological diseases, and others.

At the Pediatric Oncology Ambulatory Care Center, we provide a wide range of medical services, including diagnostic procedures such as bone marrow examination; medical and oncological treatments such as chemotherapy, blood product transfusions, the administration of other intravenous medications, and treatments such as intrathecal chemotherapy (injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid) that are provided under sedation.

While our dedicated and highly trained staff provide care in line with the most stringent international medical standards, the ambulatory care facility is grossly inadequate in terms of providing the state-of-the-art infrastructure necessary for this type of care.

Our vision is to provide every child facing cancer and complex illness with seamless comprehensive and compassionate care in one dedicated environment designed around their medical emotional and developmental needs. Expanding the current Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center is not only essential to meeting growing demand but also a critical step toward transforming the future of pediatric oncology and specialized outpatient care in southern Israel.

The new Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center will significantly expand Soroka’s ability to care for the children, creating a state of the art environment that supports advanced treatment healing comfort and hope for children and their families. The expansion will nearly double the available space for pediatric ambulatory cancer care and will greatly enhance the capabilities of the center’s special treatment units and multidisciplinary services.

The new center will include dedicated treatment areas for pediatric oncology occupational therapy and physical therapy alongside, welcoming family centered spaces designed to support privacy play education and emotional well being throughout the child’s journey. Every aspect of the facility is being planned to create a warm supportive and child friendly environment where children can receive lifesaving treatment while maintaining as much normalcy and quality of life as possible.

This project represents far more than a physical expansion. It is an investment in the future of pediatric care in the Negev and a lifeline for the children and families who depend on Soroka for healing hope and the chance for a healthier future.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Soroka is approximately 25 miles from the Gaza Strip. This proximity means that Soroka Medical Center faces a stark reality because much of our lifesaving infrastructure is currently unprotected against the very real threat of missile attacks.Even before the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, missile alert sirens were frequently sounded in Beer-Sheva, compelling us to shut down almost half of our operating rooms precisely when they were most needed.

Operating rooms and other critical lifesaving infrastructures, including imaging and angiography suites, serve as lifelines as we face the challenges of missile attacks and war. Closing these essential facilities contradicts their very purpose, paradoxically jeopardizing the lives of those who depend on us. A particularly prominent problem is the insufficient number of missile-protected operating rooms. Soroka currently has twenty general operating rooms. Eight of these are unprotected and cannot be used during missile attacks. Our mission is clear: to ensure our ability to provide lifesaving healthcare by constructing three missile-protected operating rooms that comply with the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command guidelines.

These operating rooms will allow us to perform surgeries even while the enemy is firing missiles at us.This project will meet the need for operating rooms and include infrastructure for performing cardiac, neurological, and other lifesaving catheterizations in these rooms. In routine times, the operating rooms will be used to promote the health of the Negev residents, who need optimal services close to home. In addition, we will expand the surgery admission and recovery areas to address current protection deficiencies.The new area, including the expanded patient preparation and recovery areas, will cover 750 square meters. Each operating room may be named for a donation of $1,000,000 The donor will be recognized in prominent signage on-site and on Soroka’s Donors’ Wall of Honor and will be our honored guests at a dignified public dedication ceremony.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Providing advanced care for women and families across southern Israel

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound Institute at Soroka Medical Center provides highly specialized care in obstetrics gynecology and assisted reproductive medicine. The Institute performs a wide range of advanced diagnostic and interventional procedures including routine pregnancy scans fetal echocardiography high risk pregnancy monitoring Doppler ultrasound amniocentesis chorionic villus sampling and lifesaving intrauterine procedures.

As the only major medical center in the Negev, Soroka serves one of the fastest growing populations in Israel with nearly 17,000 births each year. The Institute plays a critical role in diagnosing and monitoring complex pregnancies and gynecological conditions for women throughout southern Israel.

Each year approximately 16,000 procedures are performed at the Institute and demand continues to rise. Over the past decade activity has increased by nearly 40 percent reflecting both the rapid growth of the region and the increasing need for advanced maternal and fetal care.

For many years the Institute operated in an outdated and overcrowded space that lacked the privacy comfort and infrastructure required for modern patient centered care. Women undergoing sensitive examinations and invasive procedures had limited privacy and the facility did not include private dressing areas or a dedicated recovery room.

To meet the highest international standards of care Soroka has established a new state of the art Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound Institute designed to support the growing needs of women and families across the Negev. The new facility includes spacious examination rooms equipped with advanced technology additional treatment and procedure rooms accessible spaces for patients and family members private dressing areas and upgraded waiting areas designed to improve comfort dignity and patient experience.

The new Institute spans approximately 380 square meters and represents an important investment in the future of women’s health in southern Israel.

Naming Opportunity: $750,000

Prominent donor recognition will be featured at the new Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound Institute. The donor will also be recognized on Soroka’s Donors’ Wall of Honor and invited as an honored guest at a public dedication ceremony.

Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070

Soroka Healing Gardens Flower for Life

Make the Desert Bloom! Soroka, together with Duetto Arts and the artist Simone Kestelman proudly join forces to support cancer research and treatment of people with cancer. These one-of-a-kind ceramic flowers are handmade and installed by the artist at the Soroka Healing Gardens. Funds raised by this project directly benefit Soroka’s research and treatment to fight cancer. Your purchase of a flower literally helps make the desert bloom! Simone Kestelman is a sculptor and multi-media artist, working primarily with glass and ceramics.

Her artworks are exhibited in various museums, private collections and organizations worldwide. We invite you to participate in celebrating Israel 70th Anniversary by purchasing the Flower for Life and becoming a part of the Soroka Community. You can help to plant the garden by purchasing flowers. Each flower is tax-deductible contribution of $360.00. Your dedication will be inscribed in our on-line scroll of honor. Certificates are available and can be customized in honor of loved ones, to commemorate special milestones, or in memoriam. Clusters of 70 flowers can be dedicated with a plaque.