By COLlive reporter
A small gathering in support of the Sheba Medical Center, the largest hospital in the holy land of Israel, was held at the headquarters of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York on Monday.
Newsweek Magazine has recognized Sheba as one of the world’s best hospitals for five consecutive years, naming it as one of the best ‘smart hospitals’ and a leader in gastroenterology, neurology, and cardiology.
Beth Grafman, Eastern Region Development Director of American Friends of Sheba Medical Center, represented the hospital. He presented a slideshow on the history of Sheba and its crucial role in the current Gaza War.
Sheba has a Return-To-Life rehabilitation unit that aids soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) who have been wounded and with their recovery.
One person who has experienced their work first-hand was Staff Sgt. Matan Falach, a guest speaker at the gathering which brought together Crown Heights businessmen and activists.
Falach was at home on the fateful Simchas Torah on October 7, 2023. When the war broke out, he was immediately deployed to the city of Hebron. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Gaza and was part of the first unit to enter.
While stationed in a building guarding a group of Hamas prisoners, Falach witnessed an armed terrorist approaching his unit. When he ran to warn them, he was shot. Despite sustaining a bullet wound to his hip, Falach managed to alert his men of the imminent danger.
The audience was deeply moved by Falach’s bravery and gained insight into how IDF soldiers respond to combat situations and the important service of Sheba.
Rabbi Yaacov Behrman of the Jewish Future Alliance opened the program. The organizer, Shaya Gordon, spoke emotionally about meeting Falach in the hospital after he was injured and expressed admiration for his bravery and humility.
