Dateline Jerusalem — This week a friend and I traveled to the city of Netanya, which literally means Gift of G-d.
The seventh largest city in Israel with a population of 200,000 people, Netanya was named in honor of Nathan Straus, an original co-owner of Macy’s department stores in the States.
In 1912, Nathan fell in love with the Land of Israel. He decided to stay instead of joining his brother on the maiden voyage of the ocean liner the Titanic. Because he survived and his brother died when the ship sank, Nathan believed divine intervention spared him. He donated two-thirds of his fortune to Israel.
Netanya, the original Diamond City before the Diamond District moved to Ramat Gan, is often referred to as the Israeli Riviera. Its shoreline is 8 miles of pristine beaches along the glistening blue and aqua Mediterranean Sea.
Quaint like an old European seaside resort, yet it is modern with its state of the art architecture and sports stadium.
Netanya boasts one of the best hospitals in Israel. The Sanz Medical Center-Laniado Hospital is named after the Jewish Syrian Laniado brothers.
They specified in their will that their estate be used to help fund a hospital in their name in Israel. The hospital was also funded by donations collected by the Klausenburger Rebbe of the Sanz Chassidic dynasty, founder of the hospital. Hence the name, Sanz Medical Center-Laniado Hospital.
Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam, z”l, also known as the Sanz Rebbe or the Klausenburger Rebbe, was the only one in his family of 150 to survive the Holocaust. He lost his wife and eleven children, brother, sisters, mother, and many other relatives and followers.
As a result, he vowed that if he survived the Holocaust, he would build a hospital in Israel that would treat everyone with love and compassion, that it never would turn anyone away.
Patients would have doctors and nurses who believe there is a G-d and that healing a patient is the greatest mitzvah in the Torah.
Strictly Adhering to Torah
Not only does Laniado Hospital abide by the promises of Rabbi Halberstam, it is the only hospital in Israel that never has gone on strike. Employees and doctors have a non-strike clause in their contracts.
Laniado is a public hospital operated according to Jewish law. Shabbat is observed in the wards. Food is under strict kosher supervision (and it is delicious).
A rabbi makes Kiddush and Havdalah for patients. On Rosh Hashana someone blows the shofar so patients can hear it.
There are no televisions. Staff and visitors must dress according to the laws of modesty.
It is a religious enclave within a religious area of the city.
Most people I saw working there were religious. The Rebbe regards the hospital as another Torah institution, emphasizing the Torah’s commandments to heal, to love one’s fellow man, and to demonstrate belief in G-d.
Because Laniado is committed to the preservation and quality of life, it provides medical services that are often expensive and not covered by insurance.
As a result, the hospital must rely on private donations in order to exist. My friend’s father was one of the founders of the hospital’s Friends of Laniado Hospital, a fundraising arm of the hospital.
Our hostess for a tour and delicious glatt kosher lunch remembered my friend’s parents. But that is because little 92 year old Edith Lieberman is the longest serving employee of Laniado.
She is sharp. Not only is her mind clear and intelligent, she has more energy than people half her age. She is the Senior Staff Officer in the Public Relations, but she is also a lecturer, tour guide, and fundraiser.
Important Financially, Too
Without her fundraising over the years, I doubt if Laniado would have been such a success. It was an honor to meet this little dynamo who definitely symbolizes Laniado’s dedication to patients, the community, and G-d.
Laniado Hospital may be within walking distance of the beach, have spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea from the upper floors, and award-winning, park-like gardens.
But this medical facility is much more than a serene place with views, fountains and greenery. It is noted for discovering the only known successful treatment and cure to date for the neurologic complications of West Nile Virus.
Its neonatal and children’s wings are magnificent. Tthey are building a birthing center that will focus on women’s needs in a home-like environment but with the most up-to-date medical equipment.
For heart attack victims, Laniado is the place to go. It routes incoming ambulances directly to the coronary intensive care department for cardiac catheterization instead of going to the emergency room first.
The recovery rate for heart attack victims at Laniado is 30 percent higher than the national average because the patient is seen faster. The emergency room is also geared for intelligent triage.
What a wonderful day spent with interesting, caring, and dedicated people in a beautiful city by the sea.
L’hitraot. Shachar