A New Haven of Hospitality: Herzog Medical Center Dedicates Guest Caravan for Families
In a moving ceremony held yesterday, Herzog Medical Center marked the dedication of a new melunit—a guest caravan donated by Dr. Rachel and Menachem Yosef Chaim Wirzbourg, in cooperation with Lev Chabad, who arranged its purchase and delivery. The melunit will serve as a temporary home for families of long-term patients, offering a much-needed place of rest—especially on Shabbat—so they can remain close to their loved ones without having to commute from distant hotels in central Jerusalem.
The inspiration behind the gift was deeply personal. Rabbi Gavriel, whose daughter Chaya Ranana Ora is currently undergoing treatment at Herzog following a serious car accident, shared the emotional challenges of being far from her bedside. “A man goes through crisis and gets strengthened,” he said. “But what gives strength is family, and the presence of others.”
Dr. Jacob Haviv, CEO of Herzog Medical Center, reminded attendees that “in Israel, we have wonderful medicine—but we need empathy. That is what defines the difference between great and excellent medical treatment.”
Rabbi Levi Mendelson, CEO of Lev Chabad, spoke of the Rebbe’s teaching that the human heart, located on the left, represents our responsibility to extend compassion to others—those on our right. “Our heart is not for ourselves, but for those we care for,” he said.
Minister of Health Rabbi Yoni Shriki emphasized Herzog’s unique role in Israel’s healthcare landscape. “Herzog is more than a hospital. The spiritual and emotional care it provides is just as important as the medical. There is no other place like it.”
Dr. Rachel Wirzbourg offered her own reflection: “What do we leave behind for the next generation? A bottle of water for the thirsty? A spark in the eyes of those who suffer? A roof overhead? Every act of kindness builds another room in the house of healing.”
Her husband Yossi added, “Rehabilitation is a long journey. This caravan is more than a shelter—it is a symbol of hope, a mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests), and a reminder that giving to others is the truest path to coming closer to Hashem.”
The ceremony served as a testament to Herzog’s belief that healing extends beyond the walls of the hospital—to the hearts of patients, families, and the community that surrounds them.