תקפ"ו - 1826

The Bikur Cholim Society is established by the first pioneers who laid the foundation for the reviving Jewish Community in Jerusalem.

Y.Y. Yelin describes the foundation of Bikur Cholim in those years:

“From the beginning of the establishment in Jerusalem there already existed “Bikur Cholim Society”. Its function was very simple, heartwarming and well-suited to the ancient name given to it. It was founded to visit the sick in their homes. Its members and volunteers would feed the sick and tried their utmost to supply them with anything they lacked.

All the best members of the community joined the Bikur Cholim Society. Each one gave to the best of his ability by putting charity boxes in each ones home and also collecting extra funds on Fridays.

One of the writers at the time wrote:

The Directors of Bikur Cholim Hospital entered into a contract with one of the best doctors to visit its members when they got sick and charging half the price.  

תר"ג - 1843

Sir Moses Montefori sent Dr. Shimon Frankel to the company and also helped in supplying medicine.

Y. Y. Yelin describes:

“At the beginning of this century, Sir Montefori was inspired to do something important for the residents of Jerusalem. In addition to his support of Bikur Cholim, he sent them a special doctor and a complete pharmacy with all the equipment and medicines needed. The Doctor’s task and that of the pharmacy was to visit the sick among the poor and to also supply them with free medicine.”

The original unique scales for measuring medicine and the clock that were sent then, have remained intact until today in the pharmacy of the hospital.

תרי"ד - 1854

For the first time the hospital purchased premises as in the terms of those days “a free home”. Unfortunately, this hospital didn’t answer the many needs of the people. The doctor only saw patients three days a week and on the other days one had to call a different doctor and pay him 10 Piaster.

תרכ"ד - 1864-5

The “Bikur Cholim” Society purchased a large and spacious courtyard not far from the hospital of the Mission. There were two large houses in this courtyard. One was for hospitalizing patients and the other was for the staff. The two smaller houses were designated for the kitchen and laundry i.e. the service wing.

The cornerstone of the building was laid by Sir Moses Montefori who was staying in Jerusalem at the time and he laid the foundation stone of our first building.

Y.Y. Yelin writes:

“During the years of the Society’s development there were many supporters who helped from abroad. We are already already familiar with a popular name of one who was so involved with its initial development - Sir Moses Montefori Z.L who supported the “Bikur Cholim Society” where instead of the big hospital being built there were 3 small rented rooms.”

“The land going up towards Mount. Zion was desolated and only had one plot of land and 2 small houses on it. The air there was very pleasant and the Directors of the Society had their eyes set on this piece of land to build a hospital.”

There were 2 owners to this land. Half of it belonged to the Kollels of the “Prushim” and the other half to private owners. Through the efforts of Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki Z.L, the Kollels relinquished their half to the Society and the other half was bought by the Society from the private owners for 1000 Rubles cash.

“The Society got this money after taking a big loan with reduced interest.”

From the day that the Society acquired this desolated piece of land (which they called a courtyard) many years passed and they couldn’t bring their plans to fruition. It was too big an aspiration. In those days the private owners involved still did not want to give up their three spacious homes and one corridor leaned against pillars. But it was all too much for them and in 1864/5 the Directors of the Society deliberated the worth of building the hospital which was a heavy task, one which put them in great debt and which they couldn’t by any means complete.”

The Hospital developed and thus wrote a writer of that period:

“They planted wonderful trees and beautiful plants around the hospital. The two upper houses were designated towards a pharmacy and a hostel for the hospital employees. One house for the sick and infirm and another for the doctors rooms where one can seek their advice.”

 תרכ"ו - 1866

According to the description of Y.Y. Yelin, the ceremony of laying of the cornerstone was held during this year with the participation of Sir Moses Montefori. He thus depicts the establishment of the hospital in that year.

“In 1866 there was a year of great illness in Jerusalem and the desperate need for a hospital was felt even more. There was a great awakening amongst the activists in the establishment to relieve the hospital of its debts and give it the opportunity to finish what it had started.”

The Kollels were mainly instrumental in relieving the Society of all their debts, in which funds were collected from all the residents. The donations made by the Kollels were generous and most surprising. The Minsk Kollel donated 14,781 grushim, Hordana Kollel 11,627, the Warsaw Kollel 8,223, Soblek Kollel 5,232, Vilna Kollel 4,760 and Raisin Kollel 3,447.

“These donations combined with various other small and large donations from both Israel and abroad amounted to a considerable sum which was enough to relieve the Society’s debts and help them move forward and complete the building of the hospital.”

“In that year Sir Moses Montefori visited the Holy Land and as one of the foremost supporters of the Bikur Cholim Society and as one who takes an active interest in its development, took part in the ceremony and laid the foundation stone. He also signed the scroll that was set aside for an eternal memorial.”

“The building was completed and the hospital immediately began to begin its internal work so as to be a blessing and for the benefit of the people of the establishment. It seems that even then that this young institution acquired that special characteristic which has become its permanent trademark. That is the love of the people and its complete trust. All this cannot be accomplished without the loyal dedication and feelings of brotherhood and equality by the institution to all those that seek its help. These qualities were like fine jewels that completed the already majestic crown of the good name of the hospital.”

“Deep appreciation and complete trust was given to this young institution. This was also shown by Sir Moses Montefori when after seeing the successful development of the hospital, cancelled his monopoly over the special pharmacy and handed it over as it was to the ownership of the hospital.

תרל"ג - 1873

Rabbi Yoel Moshe Solomon and Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Levy who were heads of the Jerusalem establishment and who also served as the directors of “Bikur Cholim” went to Europe at the beginning of the year and visited the Jewish communities there in order to collect money.

When they met with Rabbi Y.D. Bamberger in Wertzberg they described to him the distress that the Jewish establishments was in with regards to medical help and the danger of being dependant on the Mission Hospital, a fact used to great advantage by the missioners.

Rabbi Bamberger promised his support and facilitated a meeting between the two leaders and Rabbi Shimshon Rephael Hirsch and with the righteous Baron Shimon Wolf Rothschild in Frankfurt and with Dr. Lehman, editor of the “Israelite” in Magence.

The leaders made a great impression and particularly, the Chareidi Jewish leaders in Germany were enraged regarding the free medical assistance by the Mission in exchange for conversion to Christianity. This visit caused the leaders of the German Jewish Community to take an interest in the medical welfare of the residents of Jerusalem and contacts were made to even build additional medical institutions.

תרל"ה - 1875

Sir Moses Montefori who laid the foundation stone for the building of “Bikur Cholim” came for a visit to the hospital. Amongst other things, he wanted to know how the pharmacy that was transferred to ownership of the hospital was running.

Y.Y. Yelin describes:

“Sir Montefori apparently did not regret his deeds even though he was very specific in keeping to his conditions. He visited Israel a few times and for the seventh time in 1875 (as a surprise visit as is the way of conscientious managers) to demand a list of the supplies in his pharmacy including all the saucers, decanters etc… and to settle any discrepancies that arose.”

This is what he wrote in his weekly journal:

“On Monday, the 8th of Ave, Eve of Tisha Be Av, I asked my Doctor to pay a surprise visit to the hospital of the Ashkenazi  “Prushim” at the time when the sick patients of the city  come to seek medical help and advice.”

“He already visited once with Dr. Levat and saw the two rooms for the men and two rooms for the women and every bed was occupied. Each room had 8 beds.”

“They also saw the pharmacy that I sent them from London to Jerusalem under the supervision of a doctor in 1843. Dr. Levat who saw all the various medicines and all the vessels and implements when they were sent from the big pharmacy in London and saw them again now, promised me that they are all intact as they were when they were sent to the Holy City”

Yelin describes the crisis that befell Jerusalem that year which brought the hospital to a close for a short time:
“In 1875 the hospital was in a crisis and its leaders at that time decided to close the hospital for a short period of time. Others immediately replaced these leaders and reopened the hospital and all its activities.”

In that year there was also reorganization within the hospital leadership as was praised in the paper “Yehuda Veyerushalyim” which appeared at the time in the Holy City:

“The houses are functioning well and on the same disciplinary level as those of the European hospitals. Thank G-d, they found a famous and excellent French doctor that will treat the patients and supervise all the details and the hygiene of the houses will be satisfactory  and pleasing to all so that all that see it will give praise to G-d. May G-d give us strength to continue to run these houses of loving kindness for many years to come so that the voice of a deserted sick person will not be heard in Jerusalem.”

The hospital management decided to publish the financial report and all the activities of the hospital.

“We found that it is good to publish the income and expenditure of the hospital over the last 4 months and the number of patients who were hospitalized, of which almost all had a full recovery, Thank G-D.”

The editor of the newspaper added as a postscript that we, all the residents of Jerusalem are appreciative of your exalted worked and everyone can see the great leadership of these houses and your wonderful work does not go unnoticed.

The good name of the hospital was widespread. “Hamelitz”, the Hebrew newspaper of Russian Jewry decided to help with the income of the Bikur Cholim Society and charity was collected in Russia for the benefit of Bikur Cholim in Jerusalem. A special society was established in Russia called “Shalom Yerushalyim” which helped the Bikur Cholim Society in Jerusalem.

תרמ"א - 1881

The hospital always had a problem with maintenance and without any income source, it had to rely on the donations from abroad, mainly from Eastern Europe.

With the large increase in the number of immigrants, the hospital opened its doors to absorb these immigrants. There were many agricultural settlements established among the cities of the country. Many of these farmers came to seek medical treatment and advice at Bikur Cholim Hospital.

When Rabbi Michael Pines, one of the most dominant leaders of the establishment who also served as the representative of “Chovevei Tzion”, was asked to check the accounts of the hospital, he confirmed that “I requested from the hospital administration to check their accounts and I took their books home for a few days and delved into them deeply.”

“Indeed, I found that all was in order. The hospital was solely supported by the Jewish Communities of the Diaspora as its benefit was great to all and it is the only hospital in Jerusalem whose doors are open to all Jews.”

In acknowledgement the financial status of “Bikur Cholim”, the writer and educator Yellin wrote that every penny added to the building of the new Jerusalem outside the walls of the Old City is a foundation stone to the building of the hospital.

The reports of the critics of the hospital’s activity are a testimony to the great esteem that the hospital was held in by all sects of the nation.

The following is a quote from one of the great Rabbi’s of Galatia. “We were in Jerusalem as emissaries of the Kollel of Galatia to supervise on matters pertaining to the Land of Israel. We were honored to visit “Bikur Cholim Hospital” and see that it is a magnificent building and functions as it should be.

תרנ"א - 1891

Dr. Theodore Herzl and his entourage Professor Bondheimer and Mr. Wolfson visit the hospital and are highly impressed by its activities

תרנ"ג - 1893

As the Jewish establishment in Jerusalem grows, so too does the number of patients that come to the hospital for treatment.

As Yelin states that the number of patients treated in 1893 was 781. The number of medicines that were given to outpatients in 1893 was 12,347. 

תרס"ב - 1902

The Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu David Teomim, Av Beit Din, visited the hospital.

תרס"ד - 1904

The Gaon Rabbi Avrahom Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, who served as Chief Rabbi of Yaffo, visited the hospital.

תרס"ה - 1905

The Gaon Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Av Beit Din, visited the hospital.

תרס"ז - 1907

“Bikur Cholim” develops with the growing Jewish establishment of Jerusalem. The first building in the Old City cannot hold all the patients that come there.”

With the growing establishment outside the Old City walls, there was an urgent need to expand the hospital and build a new building outside the walls of the Old City and the administration decided to build a new building for the hospital.

The Jews of the Old City objected to this decision as they thought that it would cause the population of the Old City to dwindle. All public activities were built around the hospital and its transfer was a hard blow for the Jewish Community of the Old City in terms of its development and expansion. By contrast, the Rabbi’s of Jerusalem and public leaders understood the need to build the new hospital outside the Walls of the Old City and supported this decision.

HaGaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld Z.L wrote that we do not need to praise the wonderful work of Bikur Cholim Hospital as it is famous worldwide and everyone knows the blessed work that it does for its patients. And now, just as the population of the Old City has grown, so too has its patients. The hospital has become too small for its needs and therefore it has been decided to move the hospital outside the Old City where it can be expanded in cool and healing air.

The Rabbi’s of Jerusalem, the Gaonim Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazar, Rabbi Chaim Berlin and Rabbi Eliyakim Shapiro signed a decree supporting the establishment of a new hospital building outside the Old City walls.

This decree stated amongst other things, the establishment of the new building and called for the residents of Jerusalem to volunteer their time and services to the hospital.

“It is our duty to awaken our brethren to emulate the Holy One Blessed Be He who visited Avraham Avinu when he was sick. So too should all the people of Jerusalem volunteer to help bring this building to fruition and whoever does so should be eternally blessed for taking part in this project.”

On Friday 17 Iyar the decree was signed by Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer, Rabbi Chaim Berlin and Rabbi Eliyakim Shapiro.

תרס"ח - 1908

The number of patients in “Bikur Cholim” this year reached 1,071 according to Y.Y.Yelin.

He even made a special calculation:

“In 1893 there were 781 patients in the hospital and in 1908 1,071 patients. Therefore in all the history of the hospital, they have collectively been hospitalized for 18,725 days.

תרס"ט - 1909

In those days the Jewish establishment in Jerusalem suffered from poverty. From time to time epidemics broke out. But this year it reached a terrible peak when an epidemic called shabta (a type of influenza) broke out in the city which continued for some years and claimed many lives.

“Bikur Cholim” hospital was made famous then when it saved the lives of many of the residents of the city by administering to them both their physical and spiritual needs.

Yelin depicts the following:

“A terrible spring befell the city in 1909 when the shabta epidemic broke out and claimed many victims. There was great fear and shock in the city, especially regarding its suddenness and harshness - but most of all regarding the confusion of how to treat it.”

“Bikur Cholim Hospital made a name for itself in those days and will be remembered by many Jerusalem residents. When the epidemic was at its peak, the hospital administration hired a special courtyard for the shabta victims with special equipment and servants to help these patients and save lives.”

Bikur Cholim Hospital, with the help of its dedicated medical staff achieved great medical heights and was given recognition and gratitude by thousands of the residents of the city.

תר"ע - 1910

The hospital directors rekindled their efforts to build a hospital outside the Old City walls. They planned a new and spacious building to be built in a central place according to the design of a modern European hospital with all the equipment and essentials needed.

The dynamic force of the organization was Rabbi Avraham Yaakov HaCohen Z.L.

One of the articles on the topic states:

“With empty hands they went to buy land for the hospital and specifically in the most sought-after and expensive area, near Jaffa Road. They bought it and paid dearly for it and thereafter, empty handed went to lay the foundation stone for the new and big building

תרע"ב - 1912

There was a festive ceremony to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the new and spacious building in the center of the new suburbs.

In a leaflet that was published for the celebration it stated that it was a “ a new ,big and luxurious building in the center of modern Jerusalem, replete with sterile equipment so that it can provide a solution to the medical needs of the growing Jerusalem population.

Y.Y. Yelin describes the urgency of the need for a new building:

”The time has come that instead of the small and cramped hospital within the Old City walls, the Jerusalem population needs a beautiful new and spacious hospital, built according to all modern building and hygiene standards. Outside of the walls of the Old City it is also more spacious and it is central to the Jewish population. “

The Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Chaim Berlin, delivered a special speech at the ceremony marking the laying of the foundation stone of the new building .

תרע"ג - 1913

The building of the hospital continued at a fervent pace despite all difficulties.

One of the visitors describes the greatness of the new building that already stands out, even in the midst of the building phase. A lot of money and resources were invested into the building. The managements call for help and donations was not a loud outcry, but a modest call but nonetheless they achieved what they needed.

The hospitals’ development and activity increased immensely. According to the details related by Y.Y. Yelin, the number of medicines that were dispensed to outpatients in that year was 64,586, five times more than in 1893.

תרע"ד - 1914

On the eve of the outbreak of World War 1 the building of the hospital was temporarily stopped. Although during the war years, the importance and the necessity of the hospital were proven.

In 1918 the hospital experienced a glorious year as is described by the “Lefi Sha’a” newspaper which appeared in Jerusalem in 1916:

“The war took the livelihood from those who were affected by it and many were left unemployed or without anyone to support them. They have experienced so much in the last 19 months. How could they have survived for so long under such conditions?

“The administration of Bikur Cholim Hospital understood the plight of these people and also asked themselves how they survived for 19 months under those conditions.”

“How could this great hospital, with all its expenses continue to survive? It was one of the few institutions which did not curtail its activities but continued as it did previously.”

The hospital continued to treat every patient that turned to it. In the old building in the Old City no department was closed. All the clinics operated incessantly and the hospital continued to do its dedicated and important work in helping to treat patients and save lives.

Despite the fact that work on the new building was temporarily stopped, the patients received all that they needed in abundance. Even though the price of medicines was very expensive and there was a great shortage of food in the country at the time, medicines and food were dispensed in abundance.

A veteran of Jerusalem described the activity of the hospital in those days as follows:
“People came with dishes and bottles in order to receive food and water. Bikur Cholim was a home of true acts of kindness in all respects.”

תרע"ח - 1918

At the end of the First World War “Bikur Cholim Hospital” was still housed in its old premises in the Old City.

In the official report that was written at the time it states:

“The old building of the hospital in the Old City was extremely small for the expanding needs of the hospital and due to this it cannot fit the requirements of a big and modern hospital nor can it contain within it all that such a hospital needs.”

“During its years of existence, the hospital management worked hard and spent a lot of money in renovating and updating the hospital and ensuring that it had all the supplies necessary. They even tried to arrange the hospital in such a way that even in its smallness, it would fulfill its duty in the best possible way.”

Even though the war had ended, the work on the hospital was not restarted due to lack of funds 

תרפ"ב - 1922

The Admor Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter Z.L from Gur visits the hospital.

תרפ"ג - 1923

The High Commissioner in Palestine, Sir Herbert Samuel and his wife visit the hospital and inscribe a special message in the Visitor’s Book

תרפ"ד - 1924

After close to a hundred years of the opening of the hospital, the new building of the hospital which was built in King George Street in the new part of the city was inaugurated.

Enormous efforts were invested in order to bring the building of the new hospital to an end and ultimately a glorious building arose in the centre of the Holy City.

The High Commissioner, Sir Herbert Samuel was given the honor to officially open the gates of the hospital, but the work was not yet complete. Only 2 floors were ready but the administration decided not to wait and to begin operating as a hospital without delay.

The hospital management hoped that people both in Israel and abroad, who have continually expressed their support and appreciation for such a worthy and essential institution, will continue to support the hospital now more than ever so that funds can be raised to bring the building to completion.

The plans for the new building were detailed over 10 pages which included a kitchen, service rooms, clinics, a pharmacy, administration offices and 29 beds for hospitalizing patients, an internal medicine department with 52 beds and the surgery and obstetrics departments with 46 beds.

Here is a complete breakdown as is described in the plans:

First Floor - Kitchen and utility rooms, dishwashing facilities, kitchen for the employees, storehouses for food and coals , sterilization room, laundry, courtyard to dry out white materials, mortuary, garage and a covered area for the public.

Second Floor - Clinic and pharmacy, room to book an appointment for the clinics, waiting room, pharmacy laboratory, medical laboratory, Clinic A, Clinic B, Clinic C, gutter for rain, basement, room for patients clothes, the guards quarters.

Third Floor - administration, pharmacy, 29 beds, isolation room, ward for poor patients - 5 beds, private ward - 3 beds, 21 bed ward, Head Nurses’ room, dining room, room for the doctor on duty, library, synagogue, women’s’ section, Directors’ office, utility room.

Fourth Floor - Internal Medicine Department - 52 beds, Head Nurses’ room, 7 bed ward, private ward - 2 beds, private ward - 2 beds, 12 bed ward, utility room, recovery room, private ward - 4 beds, private ward - 3 beds, private ward - 2 beds, 5 bed ward, private ward - 3 beds, 12 bed ward.

Fifth Floor - The Obstetrics and Surgery Department - 46 rooms, head nurses room, delivery room, private ward - one room, neonatal room, private ward - 4 beds, 11 bed ward, 5 bed ward, utility room, operating room, surgeons room, sterile room, room for small operations,  private ward - 2 beds, private ward - 2 beds, 5 bed ward, 12 bed ward.

תרפ"ה - 1925

With the entry into the new building there was a big public inauguration ceremony with the participation of the Chief Rabbi’s of Israel, HaGaonim Rabbi Avraham Itzchak HaCohen Kook Z.L. and Rabbi Ya’akov Meir Z.L, and the Gaon Isser Zalman Meltzer Z.L.

The celebration took place on 19 Nissan, 4th day of Chol HaMoed Pesach (13.04.25) with the participation of dignitaries from the City and many from the establishment. The hospital building was one of the first buildings in central Jerusalem of today.

It should be noted that during this period, between the two World Wars, during the time of the British Mandate, the hospital grew and employed new doctors and equipment and became a well equipped and efficient general hospital.

Thousands of patients from all walks of life found solace and medical treatment in the hospital.

During the time after the inauguration of the new building, the old building was used as a hospital for Chronic Diseases. The office of Rabbi Pesach Grayevsky was situated there. He was the treasurer of the hospital and wrote down much of its history.

“The street in which the hospital was located was called “Bikur Cholim”. They used to bring supplies in special carts through Zion Gate as there was no possibility of vehicles to enter this street.”

Simultaneously, the hospital administration tried to continue building the hospital and expand it by adding an additional floor. According to the original plan, much effort was put into this and the great Rabbi’s of Israel at the time made a public appeal to help the hospital achieve its goals.

At the same time, HaGaon Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook Z.L, Chief Rabbi of Israel at the time sent out a decree calling everyone to help finish building the hospital.

“The new building stands in all its glory but we are deeply saddened when we pass by this wonderful building that will fulfill such and important and holy need for the Jewish People, that it stands unfinished.

“Are there no benevolent people in Israel?” every passerby will ask: ‘Are there no caring hearts who will feel and understand the importance of this first general hospital for the Jewish People in our Holy City?’”

“Those who have worked hard to bring this hospital to fruition and understand its necessity and importance will be deeply saddened. Especially, in the last period there have been many immigrants to the country and amongst those, many who need medical care and there is too little space in the hospital to treat them. I approach you with a broken heart.”

“I hope that my words will stir you and that you will help remove the shame from us, from all those who pass by and see that the building lies unfinished and there is no one to help complete it. Please help us to finish this building in which the honor of Israel lies therein."

תרפ"ט - 1929

In the riots of 1929 the victims of Motza and Hebron were brought to Jerusalem and admitted to “Bikur Cholim Hospital”. A special book about the events of those days was published by the author Pinchas Grayevsky who also served as the treasurer of “Bikur Cholim” for more than forty years. One of the wounded from the Miklev family became the Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Defense Force.

The medical staff of the hospital administered treatment to all the members of the various underground movements such as the E.Z.L. and Lechi who were wounded during military operations before the establishment of the State. In fear of the British rulers, many of them were hospitalized in underground conditions.

תרצ"ג - 1933

The Director of the Hosptial, Rabbi Avraham Ya’akov HaCohen who was the founder of Bikur Cholim and planned the building in the new part of the City passed away on Rosh Hashana after a road accident near Motza area, just before the Kastel.

תרצ"ה - 1935

The administration of “Bikur Cholim” was active throughout all the years to increase the number of beds in the hospital. It also added excellent doctors to the staff and as always, was an intrinsic part of the life in the city.

It is told that hospital representatives were members of the municipality and of every important institution in the city. Its members were also signatories in the appointment of HaGaon HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook as the Chief Rabbi of Israel and other important official documents. At the same time, the Chief Rabbinate would approve the appointment of members of the administration of Bikur Cholim Hospital.

The harsh conditions of those days impaired the continuous administration of the hospital. A Jerusalem resident described how they would call the various members of the hospital administration to a meeting:

“Naftali Berkowitz came to the country when he was only 18 and came to work at the hospital. At first he helped carry heavy stones on his shoulders. He worked in Bikur Cholim for 50 years and ended up as the Head Nurse of the Operating Theatre.”

“At first he would co-ordinate between the members of the administration regarding the date of the meeting. He rode on a donkey and got to the home of one of the members who would agree on a certain date. Thereafter he went to the next member who claimed that he couldn’t make it on that date but rather on another day.”

“He was forced to go back and forth between the administration members for about a month until they reached a date acceptable to all.”

תש"ו - 1946

Despite the development of the hospital and the growing Jewish establishment, poverty was still rife in Jerusalem.

The number of needy people grew especially after the Holocaust when many of the surviving refugees came to settle in Israel.

Once again “Bikur Cholim” proved itself as a house of caring and loving-kindness. Anyone who needed castor oil or various medicines received them free of charge.

There was more food in the hospital than in any other place, even though it was forbidden to bring in food supplies from abroad. This problem was solved by the members of the administration and senior workers ordering packages to be delivered privately to their homes.”

“The dedication of the administration members to the hospital was proven by the fact that on Fridays they would go around the suburbs collecting soaps, linen and any other items that were lacking in the hospital.”

“One of the most famous clinics in the city in those days was of Dr. Magaro, a well known doctor of Internal Medicine. His clinic was in the Old City of Jerusalem and he said that even Arab patients from Jordan came to see him and paid 25 pennies (grushim) for each visit. He said that with their payments they cover the expenses of the poor Jewish patients who couldn’t afford to pay for their treatment.”

There were 7 departments operating in “Bikur Cholim” at the time. 2 Departments of Internal Medicine headed by Prof. Zondak and Dr. Naiman. 2 Surgery Departments headed by Dr. Wolfson, a small Pediatric Department headed by Dr. Helena Kagan, an Ob/Gyn Department headed by Dr. Sapir and an Ear, Nose and Throat Department headed by Dr. Branfeld who was the only E.N.T. specialist in the country at the time. The Director was Dr. Wallshtein.

The pharmacy of the hospital was headed at the time by a Chassidic Jew known as R’ Faivel Aptaker - chemist - (from the Labelle family). He invented a special medicine against freckles. R’ Avraham Aptaker (chemist) preceded him.

תש"ז - 1947

With the outbreak of the fighting in the Jerusalem area, the Chronic Disease Patients who were situated in the hospital building in the Old City demanded to be transferred to the new city.

The request was forwarded to the British army with the help of Mr. Yitzchak Ben Zvi who was the Chairman of the National Committee.  The Red Cross and the British Soldiers managed to move the patients outside the Old City walls. Due to the fact that there was no way for vehicles to approach the old building, the soldiers took the patients by hand or on stretchers to the awaiting ambulances in the parallel street. 25 males and 35 females, all suffering from Chronic Disease, were transferred in this operation  

תש"ח - 1948

Jerusalem was besieged and bombed. Many patients were hospitalized in the shelters of the hospital. Bikur Cholim Hospital played an important role in the defense of Jerusalem when Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospital was cut off from the city. Hundreds of wounded patients were hospitalized in Bikur Cholim Hospital, way beyond its capacity. The wounded were brought in from all over the Jerusalem area.

The Jordanian Legionnaires bombed the hospital, but the doctors, nurses and all the staff continued to administer medical help to all those who turned to the hospital.

An interesting story is told my numerous veterans of the hospital:

“The nurse Ella Frankel had a “madness” of storing various medical equipment and supplies in cupboards behind doors and in each corner of the hospital. This “madness” saved the hospital in the time of the siege of Jerusalem. They said it was a “madness” but thanks to her, the hospital had a vast supply of cotton wool, syringes, iodine, bandages, alcohol, plasters, scissors and more.”

With the declaration of the State of Israel, “Bikur Cholim” continued its activities more fervently than ever before, expanding its medical services by increasing the number of Departments, Clinics and Doctors.

תשי"ח - 1958

The events that befell Jerusalem greatly impaired efforts to continue building the hospital according to the original plan. Nonetheless, the various members of the committee did all in their power to bring the work to completion.

The building lasted more than a year before the third floor of the hospital was complete.  

תשכ"ז - 1967

The six day war put the hospital to its highest test, where it was close to the war front in Jerusalem and operated on a special emergency basis.

The hospital prepared 255 beds to accept the wounded. Operating theatres were set up in the shelter and on the ground floor. A special staff of surgeons operated incessantly. 482 wounded were treated and of those more than 300 were operated upon.

The medical work of the hospital was praised by the Head of the Central Command who expressed his appreciation in writing. The hospital was awarded a medical by the Israeli Defense Force.

At the end of the war representatives of the hospital went out to see the old building of “Bikur Cholim” in the Old City which served the residents of Jerusalem for more than 100 years.

With deep sorrow they looked upon the destruction wrought upon the building by the Jordanians. It was almost completely destroyed with only part of the ground floor and second floor remaining of the 3 floors of what was once a glorious building.

By contrast, the building of the new hospital building continued and much effort, hard work and initiative was put into this project. The building was renovated, expensive equipment was purchased and the laboratories were upgraded and expanded.

תשל"ג - 1973

The Yom Kippur war once again proved the importance of the hospital both as a central hospital in Jerusalem and as an aid to the health system country wide

תשל"ו - 1976

The Ob/Gyn and Neonatal Wards were moved to new and spacious premises in the “Ziv” Building. A modern and sophisticated Ophthalmology Clinic was also opened here.

תשל"ט - 1979

The hospital opened an additional department for Cardiology with the generous help of the donors Mr. and Mrs. Alexander and Eva Heiden. This department is the crown jewel of “Bikur Cholim” which is at the forefront of Cardiac treatment in the entire country

תשד"מ - 1984

The Surgery Department was reopened and headed by the famous Prof. Natan Saltz, a recipient of the Israel Prize for Medicine. The Department and its equipment operate thanks to the generous donation of the Reichman brothers.

תשנ"ד - 1994

The hospital expands despite the limited physical conditions and has many departments and units as well as many beds at its disposal.

תש"ס - 2000

“Bikur Cholim” Hospital experiences a wave of development and is equipped with the best medical equipment available, putting it at the forefront of the Medical Institutions in Israel.

The hospital departments and the outpatient departments are spread out and are undergoing intense renovations.

The Internal Medicine Department in the Main Building, the Ob/Gyn Department in the Ziv Building and the Outpatient Clinics in the “Beit HaRofeh” Building and its crowning glory, the new and renovated Emergency Medicine Department, for which a great fund raising banquet was held upon its completion.

The new and renovated Emergency Medicine Department is gradually fulfilling its new role as a central location for the wounded from all over one of the biggest cities in Israel, Jerusalem.

Thanks and acknowledgement

The founders of the first Jewish Hospital in Israel fulfilled the commandment of “visiting the sick” over and above what was accepted and expected of them in those days. They took upon themselves an eternal obligation to do, increase and glorify acts of kindness with the sick and infirm with strict adherence to Jewish laws and tradition.

Since 1826, nearly 180 years ago, there have been words of gratitude and praise to those people, who despite all obstacles, managed to establish an institution for the benefit of the public and the welfare of the sick.

The great Rabbi’s of Israel  were always amongst the supporters of the hospital - Jerusalem Rabbi’s such as Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz Teomim (Ha’aderet) , Rabbi Ya’akov Moshe Charlap, Rabbi Zvi Pesach Frank and Rabbi Betzalel Zolti. It is with their guidance that the hospital operated with strict accordance to Jewish Law.

Ingenuity and strict supervision were always part of the hospitals development in every sphere. Advancements in both medical knowledge and technology found its place in “Bikur Cholim” which was always looking to develop and adapt these developments to the needs of the population.

“Bikur Cholim” was the first to open a pharmacy, to open an Ear, Nose and Throat Department for the benefit of all population of Israel and the first to open a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.U) for premature newborn babies.

“Bikur Cholim” has the best available specialists in various fields doing research and utilizing the most sophisticated methods of treatment. The senior doctors of the hospital receive international recognition for their work and publications and receive prestigious medical awards.

Amongst the famous doctors that have served the hospital at various times are Dr. Helena Kagan - the children’s’ angel, Prof. Y. Zondak and Prof. Natan Saltz.

The uniqueness of “Bikur Cholim” Hospital - a public hospital that adheres to Jewish tradition, is accepted by the entire population and stands equal amongst other such institutions to achieve its goals - for the sake of everyone.