Hadassah's new Center for Pediatric Genetic and Chronic Diseases was dedicated in the name of Elie Douer and his family at an emotional ceremony at the Hadassah University Hospital on Mount Scopus. Fittingly, it took place in front of the Medical Center's Henrietta Szold Museum, which was open in honor of the occasion. Hadassah Mount Scopus director Prof. Zvi Stern, presiding over the ceremony, noted that the center's temporary premises had once stood at this site. Prof. Eitan Kerem, the director of the new center, shared his dream of establishing such a center, and described the15 years it had taken to bring it to life. Its purpose, he explained, is to provide comprehensive treatment for chronically ill children, as well as their anxious parents and siblings.
Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the director-general of the Hadassah Medical Organization, emphasized the uniqueness of this one-of-a-kind center in Israel, in which all necessary clinical and psychosocial therapies are offered under a single roof. He commended Mr. Douer for his leadership and thanked all of the many donors who helped to fulfill this long-held dream. In particular, he noted Adele Roman, whose generous contribution helped to create the center's Children with Chronic Diseases Unit, and Hadassah International for its generous support.
Mr. Douer then explained his decision to support the project. He recalled his flight from Syria to Israel, aided by members of kibbutzim. This experience left a strong impact on him, convincing him of the vital necessity of a strong Israel, he said. Mr. Douer added that Hadassah has impressed him deeply, and he praised the leadership and vision of Prof. Mor-Yosef. The new center, Mr. Douer said, reflects and expresses his own deepest beliefs.
Prof. Mor-Yosef presented a Chagall certificate to Mr. Douer and his wife Mimi, as well as a
painting by Ronia Epstein, one of the center's young patients. The dedication ended at the new center itself, with the unveiling of the sign for the building and a tour of its facilities led by Prof Kerem. The center's mezuzah was affixed by Rabbi Avraham Hamra, the former Chief Rabbi of Syrian Jewry, who is known worldwide for helping Jews emigrate from Syria
and Lebanon, particularly young Jewish women who lacked marriage opportunities there. He immigrated to Israel in 1994.
Among the dozens of people who attended this long-anticipated event were Mr. Douer and his wife Mimi's family and friends, Rabbi Hamra, Major General (Ret.) Amram Mitzna, World Keren Hayesod Chairman Avi Pazner, and HWZOA National Board member and Northern New Jersey Region president Miriam Aron. From the Hadassah Medical Center came patients and their families, medical and administrative staff, and, of course, the proud
and excited team that will run the new center, headed by Pediatric Department head Prof. Eitan Kerem and the new center's head nurse, Yael Kastiel.