Rivka gave birth to her fourth child at Hadassah Hospital. But this time was extra special.

“When your mom is the midwife, it’s no surprise that your baby feels so calm in her arms!”

The proud grandmother, Dina, is a veteran midwife. She has stood by and supported countless women through a positive and empowering birth experience.

Ensuring a safe and healthy environment has always been top priority. Thanks to the upgraded facilities at the new Labor and Delivery Department on Mount Scopus, Hadassah can provide the highest level of excellence in medical care.

Since opening the state-of-the-art department, the number of births have spiked by thirty percent! Over 5,700 newborns were welcomed into the world this past year, bringing new hope and new life. With enhanced COVID-19 protective measures, mothers and babies are in safe hands- even in the midst of a pandemic.

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The media is full of praise for Israel’s ambitious COVID-19 vaccination rollout that has already reached more than 2 million people in just the first two weeks. And while the success of a campaign depends on countless professionals and dedicated frontline staff, Israelis were delighted to hear of one woman who played a pivotal role behind the scenes- Benita Elkon Baitner.  Ms. Elkon Bainter never made the front page or back pages of any newspaper or press coverage of the vaccination campaign.  But her husband’s Facebook post, first published back in November 2020, has once again gone viral this week- and for good reason.  

Below is a translation from the original Hebrew post:

‘In Amit’s room.  On the second floor, in a small corner of our home in Kfar Oranim.

Negotiations were held over the last little while between Pfizer International and the State of Israel.

She achieved this incredible feat, modestly, with discretion, professionalism and such generosity as she connected, mediated and advanced both sides- Benita Elkon Baitner, (full disclosure, she’s my wife), Head of the Vaccine Unit at Pfizer International in Israel- doing so with dual loyalties. For on the one hand, Benita is a representative of Pfizer Israel, but on the other hand, she’s a citizen of Israel who wants the vaccine to get to here as quickly as possible. 

She achieved all of this during lockdowns, two quarantines, and a daughter who tested positive for Coronavirus in the room next door! 

So now that the agreement is signed and the vaccine is soon expected on its way, it’s important to state that not everything was done quickly over the last two days by this person or that one.  We should remember to share a little more about the history that has been made over the last while.  And, also share how proud I am of my wife, who I dearly love.

Let’s also not to forget, that as opposed to others, her work is not over, it has only just begun.

Yesher koach!’

(Source: Yaad Baitner)

Each year, Forbes Israel carefully compiles its Best Doctors in Israel shortlist, usually selected based on exceptional medical achievements. But this year, it was clear that the honour belonged to doctors at the forefront of the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Forbes Magazine Cover Photo

Three courageous medical leaders have made this year’s cover, amongst them, Professor Sigal Sviri, Head of Hadassah Hospital’s COVID-19 Outbreak Intensive Care Unit. Together with her counterparts, Professor Galia Rahav, Head of the Corona Department at Sheba Medical Centre and Professor Idit Matot, Head of the Coronavirus Unit at Ichilov Medical Centre, it’s safe to say that Israelis are in good hands.  

Professor Sigal Sviri, Head of Hadassah Hospital’s COVID-19 Outbreak Intensive Care Unit

As the longstanding Director of Hadassah Ein Kerem’s Medical Intensive Care Unit, Professor Sviri is used to treating patients with the most complex medical problems.  But, since the pandemic emerged, Professor Sviri relays:

“We haven’t had a break for even one day. Our work is around the clock- treating only the most critically ill patients. We don’t see an end in sight. This period has been extremely fascinating, but also challenging. We are completely focused on trying to save as many patients as possible- day and night.  We have tremendous drive and ambition to fight for every patient and for every respirator.” 

Photo Credit: Yossi Aloni

Although Israel managed to ‘flatten the curve’ of COVID-19 infections at the onset of the pandemic, a second wave has emerged since lockdown and social distancing measures were eased in mid-May.  COVID-19 wards in hospitals are once again filling up with infected patients and pushing capacity. Professor Sviri shares:

“There is a dire shortage of intensive care beds. Infrastructure and staff are the most important right now. It’s great that advanced medical technologies and innovative treatment methods are being developed, but without it going hand in hand with a system that will support patients when they need urgent and immediate treatment – it’s not worth anything. The low mortality rates are largely due to our highly skilled and professional staff but we have a severe shortage of them at the moment.”

Professor Sviri is also looking ahead and gearing up for the winter and flu season, when a third wave of infections may cause even greater stress on the healthcare system. She is taking every precaution and preparing her teams. 

 “The pandemic changed the way we perceive life and instilled in us a new sense of modesty- as this tiny little virus caught all of humanity, completely off guard.”

Photo Credit: Bruno Lavi

It’s been a record-breaking year for births at Hadassah Hospital, with more than 14,000 babies born- including 263 pairs of twins and 7 sets of triplets!

Yet, this week, another record was broken when a mother gave birth to her 16^th child.  (The previous highest number of births per person was 15.) 

Women in Israel continue to lead the Western world in the highest number of births per person, with an average rate of three or more children. Israel also boasts one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, standing at approximately 3 out of 1,000 births.

Hadassah Hospital’s commitment to pre-natal and maternity care has played an important role in Israel’s dedication to maternal and infant health. 

Shortly after giving birth, the proud mother shared a beautiful photo of her newborn daughter and this heartfelt message:

“I didn’t believe I would bring another sweet baby into the world, but when it happened, I was overwhelmed with joy! 

Our little daughter joins another 15 brothers and sisters! The oldest sibling is 26, the youngest is three and a half and in the middle we have a set of twins!  We have a huge and loving family, including grandchildren, that is already waiting for her at home.

The pregnancy was not easy which is why we chose to give birth at Hadassah. We knew we would have the most professional team care for us, which made me feel much more secure.

Sure enough, when the time came to give birth, we were surrounded by the most magical midwives, a very special doctor as well as nurses who worked together as an amazing team.

I will never forget this incredible experience and will always warmly recommend Hadassah to others. I hope every woman who comes to give birth will have a positive and empowering experience- just like mine!

Thank you to my new Hadassah family!”

“The writing was on the wall, in blood”

Ora Korazim, Chairperson of WIZO Israel, in a TV interview with Kan News

Home isolation aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus has triggered a dangerous wave of violence against women. Since the start of Israel’s lockdown, five women have been brutally murdered by their partners. Ora Korazim, Chairperson of WIZO Israel, reflects on the opening of Beit Heuss Emergency Shelter for Women and Children this past week:

I have been privileged to chair WIZO’s Israel Federation for almost a year now. But the last 2 months have been by far the most intense, emotional, challenging and proud months I have experienced in this organization.

 

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our social efforts were targeted at women living in violence, single mothers, teenage girls and children at risk.  

 

Since the Israeli government imposed a lockdown, 5 women were murdered! 

 

The writing was on the wall, in blood.  

 

We need to speak up and take action!

 

Hotlines and women’s shelters throughout Israel are reporting a spike in domestic abuse cases and finding it difficult to provide solutions for those women in need.

‘WIZO- doing what matters’ isn’t just a slogan. This is exactly what we do!  We are the first and only organization to open a new shelter in Israel in over 15 years.

 

We have been working 24/7 to urgently get all official approvals from the Ministry of Welfare. We recruited professional staff and luckily received huge support from our professional teams from Ashdod and Jerusalem shelters.  

 

After only 5 days of operating, this life saving shelter is near capacity with 10 women and 19 children.

 

Upon arriving, one of the women who ran away from the hell of domestic abuse, shared:

 

“Just being in this beautiful place is a healing experience.”

 

We are literally saving lives and bringing smiles to children that only a week ago were experiencing the most horrific time of their lives. They are now playing, talking and walking without fear.  

 

They are finally safe.

The Beit Heuss Emergency Shelter for Women and Children

Ora Korazim, Chairperson of WIZO Israel, wears a mask that reads: ‘Covered mouth, but won’t be silenced.’