Shaare Zedek Medical Center
The SAMC was founded in 1873 by a committee of rabbis in Germany and the Netherlands. The regulations issued by the committee require that the hospital provide medical services at an excellent level, even to those who will not be able to pay for them, while strictly observing Israeli law in the hospital. Shaare Zedek Medical Center maintains this tradition from its inception until now.
The Schlesinger Institute
The Institute for the Study of Medicine according to the Torah, founded in 1966, is named after Dr. Falk Schlesinger Zt'l (ד"ר אברהם יהושע פאלק שלזינגר זצ"ל, 1895-1968) the second director of Shaare Zedek Hospital, who embodied the aspirations of the founders and made them come true. True to the guidelines of its founders, the institute investigates medical problems according to the standards of Halacha.
With the development of the field of Medical Ethics in the world in recent years, there has also been an increased interest in the position of Jewish law on current issues of Medical Ethics and Morality. As medical science advances, so do many new moral and Halachic problems. The Schlesinger Institute seeks practical solutions to moral and Halachic questions, both in general and in specific matters.
The institute's staff consists of senior physicians and researchers that collaborate with Talmidei Chachamim. There is also a consultation with the great arbitrators – Poskim – on many matters. This combination allows the institute to function professionally and efficiently. The institute sees its mission in introducing Torah values into the scientific medical systems.
Education
In order to implement the goals of the Schlesinger Institute in public education in the field of medical ethics and Halacha, "to encourage medical-scientific research in the light of halakhah and to help advance medical science in the spirit of the Torah", the institute runs various educational initiatives, such as the Summer workshop-seminar "Medicine and Halacha" for medical students and practitioners, as well as the "Winter Seminar in Medical Ethics and Halacha" series of conferences. There are also specialized sessions dedicated to specific topics and professionals such as Mohalim, Community Rabbis, Lawyers, Genetic consultants etc.
Research and publication
As part of the dedication of the Schlesinger Institute for the Advancement of Halachic Medical Research, much effort has been invested in publishing our findings. We believe that satisfying a platform for the publication and discussion of valuable research in this field, making the research as accessible as possible – are essential steps on the way to finding solutions to medical-Halachic problems and public education in this field.
Library and information center
The Haim Kahan Z"l Theoretical Library and Information Center for Research, Ethics and Halacha Research Center.
The library and information center are a wide range of options for reference, locating bibliographic sources, available and up-to-date information for medical professionals, halakhic professionals and anyone interested in medical, general and Jewish ethics, and the relationship between them.
The library consists of a reference library for Rabbinic and Medical literature, as well as digital databases and an evolving virtual library on the Internet, along with other advanced means, maintained in order to promote and develop knowledge and research on medicine, ethics and Halacha.