Medical Faculty

Why did Dr. Moshe Wallach’s insistence on keeping the Sabbath at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center spark controversy? We’re standing before the Medical Faculty in Jerusalem, a place intertwined with the very evolution of medicine in this city. The Medical Faculty’s roots trace back to a time when Jerusalem’s medical landscape was vastly different. A time when healers relied on charms and potions. The early 19th century saw Jerusalem grappling with overcrowding and disease within the Old City walls. The need for modern medicine became undeniably urgent. From the 1830s onwards, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies began to emerge, transforming Jerusalem’s medical practices. The Medical Faculty stands as a testament to this shift. The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, established in 1921, has a unique partnership with Hadassah Medical Center. This collaboration allows aspiring doctors to work with experienced physicians. Hadassah, nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, treats over a million diverse patients each year. It even accepts patients turned away by other hospitals. This Medical Faculty is part of a network of medical institutions, including Hadassah Mount Scopus and Hadassah Ein Kerem. The latter houses the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Mother & Child Center and the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower. Dr. Wallach, a key figure in Jerusalem’s medical history, founded the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in 1901. His commitment to his religious practices, even within the hospital setting, created unexpected friction. Dr. Gunther Friedlander, another pivotal figure, established the “Teva” pharmacy. This venture would eventually evolve into the renowned Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. The Medical Faculty’s significance extends beyond its physical presence. It symbolizes the city’s transformation and its commitment to advancing healthcare. The echoes of its history continue to resonate.