Editor's Letter
A Bridge To Healing
a checkpoint twice a day. He's exposed to the nuances of both
rabs and Jews work side by side and receive treat-
Israeli and Palestinian life.
ment together there, making Shaare Zedek Medical
"I really can understand both sides': he told the 20 guests,
Center perhaps a microcosm of getting along. Could
some
Jewish, some Arab, but all Shaare Zedek supporters.
it help transform Israeli-Arab relations? The idea is intrigu-
"The
problem
is that a lot of people just see their problems;
ing. But the influence of a hospital isn't likely to dent radical
they
don't
see
the
other side. For me, it's hard to cross the bor-
Islam's drumbeat of hate toward Zionism and the Jewish
der
every
day.
I
see
my family and community suffering with
people.
the
occupation
and
checkpoints,
and I see the Israelis who
Still, the 90 minutes I spent with
have
their
fears.
In
the
morning
and
then in the afternoon, I
representatives of the 105-year-old
have
to
switch
my
feelings."
hospital in the heart of Jerusalem was
While I see a distinct difference between the hardship of
engaging as well as enlightening. Their
checkpoints
and the horror of suicide bombers, I can only
story is more than a dream about
imagine
the
emotional
strain that haunts Deeb. Here's a man
beating the demons of division. It's
who
has
dedicated
his
life
to healing Jews and Arabs, but who
an example of what can happen when
wavers
between
the
politics
permeating the region. "We are
people transcend politics — when
not
politicians;
we
are
not
leaders:'
he said. "We are just trying
harmony obliterates hatred.
to
do
as
much
as
we
can
to
help
people
get together."
Hope echoed in the Farmington
Hills home of host Florine Mark on
By The Numbers
Oct. 21 as I listened to the presenters,
Shaare
Zedek has treated about 40 percent of the Israeli
who were introduced by Tim Attalla, a local Arab American.
victims
of the Palestinian-inspired terrorist attacks since
He is a friend of Mark through Seeds of Peace, which encour-
September
2000. A sign of Israel's will to survive, the medi-
ages coexistence in the Middle East. Shaare Zedek will honor
cal
center
has
three well-equipped floors underground in the
Mark, Attalla and Michael Traison of West Bloomfield in
event
of
a
chemical
attack.
Jerusalem next May.
Shaare Zedek's newest capital endeavor
Imagine a hospital that admits
is
a
children's hospital replete with a school
Israelis and Palestinians — and treats
for
long-term
patients. The $18-million,
everyone with equal compassion
two-floor
facility
will sit atop the current
regardless of culture or ability to pay.
four-story
medical
center. Shaare Zedek
Imagine a hospital that shatters stereo-
serves
50,000
kids
a
year.
types — and shows Palestinians that
Ninety
percent
of
Shaare
Zedek's $125
Jews aren't the evildoers that Islamists
million
annual
budget
is
covered
by reim-
preach. Imagine a hospital that not
bursement
for
services
through
Israel's
only trains Palestinian physicians, but
socialized medical system. Worldwide
is striving to help fight female-related
donors help cover the gap for operations
cancers in the West Bank.
and capital initiatives. I learned that only
Think Shaare Zedek, a Jewish-run
hospitals outside Jerusalem receive govern-
hospital whose patient roster is 30
ment subsidies to cover their operational
percent Arab. It's a medical bridge to
sraeli Arab
deficit since they all began after statehood.
Dr.
Maher
Deeb,
an
I
the kind of social understanding that
Shaare Zedek grapples with ethical issues,
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian con-
like
when
to
end
life
support, even as it strives to keep pace
flict could foster.
with constant medical advancements and the challenges of a
multicultural setting. It's heartening to hear that upwards of
A Melting Pot
70 percent of the patients in some departments are Arab, far
"It's amazing to think that the model for that environment,
above the percentage of Arabs who live in Israel.
which all of us hope for and pray for, is found in a hospital,"
At the end of the day, Shaare Zedek is about people who
said Paul Glasser, executive vice president of the New York-
see
ethnicity as transparent and who come together to heal
based American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center
or
at
least to treat. When the ill or infirm arrive, it's all about
in Jerusalem. The Midwest office is in suburban Chicago.
people helping people. That's all that should matter in a medi-
Shaare Zedek has parlayed the rich vein of diversity run-
cal center.
ning through its base of patients and staff into an interna-
But the irony remains: Israel, a nation that cherishes life,
tional reputation as a research center and teaching hospital.
has
25 hospitals that extend olive branches and medical care
One result: Shaare Zedek is seeking a $2 million grant along
to
the
Palestinian Authority, whose fractured and contentious
with the University of Washington School of Medicine and
political leadership remains ultimately committed to the
Bethlehem University to create a breast and ovarian cancer
Jewish state's destruction. I I
research partnership to aid underserved Palestinian and
Israeli Arab women. Palestinian clinicians would be trained in
0 : Can medicine become a key turning point
cancer genetic counseling and molecular testing.
i— CC • for peaceful relations in the Middle East?
Dr. Maher Deeb is an Israeli Arab thoracic surgeon born
th ta
in the north of Israel. He's a graduate of Hebrew University, a
0
Z z Can moderate Palestinians find a durable
Shaare Zedek affiliate that boasts one of Israel's four medical
o
schools. In the comfort of Mark's home, Deeb talked about
a. 0- common ground with Israelis?
living in the West Bank, working at Shaare Zedek and crossing
A
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THURSDAY 9
November 1 • 2007
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