Who we are
About Shaare Zedek
Transforming Healthcare Through Compassionate Innovation
Fueling Jerusalem’s Medical Excellence
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation exists to raise funds for the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. As Jerusalem fastest growing hospital in the region it continues to respond to the needs of Jerusalem’s uniquely diverse population. Whilst ensuring advances in medical care are delivered with compassion and individualized attention to the needs of the patient, while always embracing scientific and technological progress.
With over 1 million patients treated annually from every race, religion and nationality, in two major campuses, encompassing dozens of inpatient departments, outpatient units and research institutes, Shaare Zedek is Internationally recognized as a medical pioneer, both in Israel and around the world.
More Jewish lives are brought into the world at Shaare Zedek than at any other hospital in the western world, with over 22,000 babies delivered annually. That translates into 60 Jewish babies a day. Given the hospital’s location opposite Yad Vashem memorial to the Holocaust, this makes a profound statement about the continuity of Jewish life.
Pioneering Research and Emergency Response
Academically affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Shaare Zedek is a pioneer and leading academic research institution, involved in international collaborations including The Hospital for Sick Children, and deeply committed toward advancement and scientific progress.
Boasting the highest ranked and busiest emergency and trauma department in Israel, staff from Shaare Zedek’s internationally recognized Disaster and Emergency Response Center are included in the IDF Field Hospital team who are among the first responders to natural disasters around the world, including the most recent earthquakes in Japan, Haiti and Nepal. In fact, our newly appointed Director General, Dr. Ofer Merin is also the Commander of Israel’s unique IDF Mobile Field Hospital which is officially recognized by the World Health Organization of the United Nations as the best in the world.
Shaare Zedek is a privately funded hospital and receives very limited support from the Israeli government to upgrade equipment and technology, develop ground-breaking international research and ensure state-of-the-art medical training is available to staff. As such, the hospital relies heavily on the generosity of donors around the world to ensure that the hospital remains on the world stage as a leading healthcare provider and raises $30 million worldwide annually.
Saving lives, Delivering lives, Changing lives
Our researchers are developing new cancer drugs; innovating new forms of gene therapy to treat and prevent disease; improving the treatment of Autism and ADD through the use of medical cannabis; studying nano-particle eye drops which will revolutionize vision by replacing the need for eyeglasses; and finally, Shaare Zedek will lead the Israeli contingent in a large-scale international study surrounding the genetic mutation, BRCA-1 and the reduction of cancer risk in healthy carriers of this mutation.
From bench to bedside, our world class care improves patient outcomes, saves lives, delivers lives and changes lives
Rafi Yablonsky
National Executive Director
T: 647-449-6342
rafi@shaarezedek.foundation
As the National Executive Director of The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation, Rafi enjoys combining his passions for Israel, healthcare, and innovation, while working with donors, volunteers, and board members to support our Hospital With A Heart.
Mishel Haimov
Director, Marketing and Events
T: 416-781-3584 x 104
mishel@shaarezedek.foundation
Mishel manages the marketing, events and communications at The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation. She helps plan and execute events, while creating the marketing material, graphics and visual decor for our events.
Laura Adler
Manager, Donor Relations
T: 416-781-3584 x 101
laura@shaarezedek.foundation
Laura manages donor relations at The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation. If you call our office, there is a good chance you’ll be speaking to Laura!
Alexandra Gorelik
Manager, Marketing and Events
T: 416-781-3584 x 106
alexandra@shaarezedek.foundation
Alexandra manages marketing and communications at The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation. She leads our marketing efforts, supports fundraising campaigns and events, and helps share the impact of our mission with the community.
May Karry
Controller
T: 416-781-3584 x 103
may@shaarezedek.foundation
May keeps The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation office organized and informed with regard to all financial information, billing, and accounts.
Our Board
Board Members
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Sam Sapera
PRESIDENT
Hinda Silber
TREASURER
David Silber
SECRETARY
Alex Eckler
Board of Directors
Perry Betel
Philip Black
Mitch Cobrin
Samantha Cook
Stacey Cynamon
Jack Feintuch
Carrie Orfus Gelkopf
Angela Greenberg
Anita Greenberg
Justine Grossman
Daniella Guzzi
Benjamin Hantsis
Elliot Kohn
Francy Kussner
Jacqueline Mazor
David Reichmann
Orit Sinai
David L. Smith
Harvey Solursh
Life Members
Paul Brondman z”l
Cynthia Gasner z”l
Carole Grafstein z’l
Rabbi Dr. David Monson z”l
Mendel Green Q.C z”l
Wolf Szydlow z”l
William R Winston z”l
GOVERNOR’S CIRCLE
Bernard Abrams
Brad Fox
Jeff Gollob
Bev Lyons
Jeff Rosenthal
Karen Smith
Jonathan Solursh
Reene Solursh
Tamara Stieber
Peter Weinstein
Jonathan Zepp
Our Commitment
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation has established donor recognition and stewardship programs that encourage donor participation and a sense of belonging; both of which are important components of building meaningful and lasting relationships with our donor community.
Our Stewardship Policy has been written to ensure that those who contribute financially to The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation receive appropriate attention and prompt communication.
All contributors to The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation, which are not themselves registered charities, are entitled to receive an official receipt for income tax purposes for the amount of eligible contributions made in cash or for the fair market value of the property contributed. The governing board may establish a minimum amount for the automatic issuance of official receipts, in which case smaller contributions will be receipted only upon request.
Our fundraising solicitations will truthfully describe our projects or programs for which the contributions will be used; and respect the dignity and privacy of those who benefit from our activities in pursuit of our objectives.
ANNUAL REPORT
Total Revenue 2025
Transfer allocations to Shaare Zedek Medical Center 2025
