“Hope without Boundaries:” Our Partnership with Sheba Medical Center in Israel

On April 3^rd, Federation was proud to welcome Professor Itzik Kreiss, Director General of Sheba Medical Center, to Washington DC to speak to us about our ongoing partnership in Israel.

Since October 7^th, Sheba Medical Center – the largest recipient of funding from Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund – has received the most casualties, the most soldiers needing rehabilitation, and the most returning hostages, totaling nearly 1,500 people.

Together, our community has helped fund:

Intensive Mental Health Training Courses: Two-week intensive courses for certified mental health professionals with advanced psychology and social work degrees who may not have studied or practiced trauma in many years or ever, built on the expertise of Sheba’s trauma specialists. Participating professionals commit to at least one year of work in a public mental health clinic in northern or southern Israel.

Medical Simulation Training: Sheba is a leader in simulation-based medical education. These training courses (using sophisticated robotics and specially trained “patient” actors) will help medical and other professionals within Israel’s formal and informal education and welfare systems get enhanced training. Courses will take place on-site in the northern and southern periphery towns and cities to increase the nation’s capacity for trauma care as the need continues to grow.

With our community’s help, they’ve treated 1,314 civilians and soldiers and 31 hostages to date.

However, the biggest takeaway from the conversation focused on how Sheba is not only providing critical medical training and assistance to those affected by October 7^th, but how they are providing hope at a time of significant pain and trauma. They are rebuilding how people – from hostage families, IDF soldiers, Sheba staff, and all Israelis – are able to view “the day after;” how they can get the country back on its feet and think about the future.

Our community’s support and engagement in this critical work – including and beyond our support of Sheba Medical Center – ensures those who have lost homes or loved ones in Israel continue to get relief, and that all Israelis traumatized by this conflict can recover.

It’s also providing hope for the future.