Just like the State of Israel itself, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer is a key example of the determination of the Jewish people to persevere and excel.

In 1948, as Jewish pioneers fought for the State of Israel’s independence, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion tasked Professor Chaim Sheba with creating a military hospital to treat soldiers wounded on the battlefield.

Sheba Medical Center – Israel’s national hospital – was born out of ingenuity and innovation.

While South Africa may be thousands of kilometres from Sheba Medical Center in Israel, a growing number of South Africans are becoming increasingly involved in Israel’s national hospital through the local chapter of African Friends of Sheba.

In 2018, South African Friends of Sheba celebrated its inauguration in Johannesburg and Cape Town with a series of successful events. Through the official inauguration, hosted by Ivan and Lynette Saltzman, and following events at the Sandton Shul and a Cape Town gallery, hundreds of people learned about the groundbreaking medical innovations emanating out of Sheba.

During these introductory events, local physicians, entrepreneurs, medical professionals and others heard from esteemed speakers in the medical field, including Prof. Mordechai Shani and Dr. Talia Golan.

Throughout 2018-2019, South African Friends of Sheba hosted a series of events featuring South Africa-born Sheba doctor Prof. Zvi Symon, director of Sheba’s Radiation Oncology Department and Dr. Tzipi Strauss, Sheba’s head of Neonatal.

In November 2019, South African Friends of Sheba expanded throughout the continent and updated its name to become: African Friends of Sheba. At a beautiful gala event marking this expansion, the 15-member board of African Friends of Sheba presented Prof. Yitshak Kreiss, Sheba’s Director General as the keynote speaker.

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