In a dedication ceremony of the main entrance to “Bikur Cholim” Hospital which was held this morning (Monday) the original architectural plans of the main building were revealed for the first time, plans that were drawn up about 100 years ago.

This morning the main entrance of the Heiden Building of “Bikur Cholim” Hospital was dedicated. The building and renovations were thanks to the generous donation of Mrs. Annette Grafstein in memory of her late sister and husband. In the entrance, a new cafeteria has been built, which is being run by the Friends of “Bikur Cholim” Hospital, one of them Mrs. Annette Grafstein donated the money for the renovation of the hospital’s main entrance.

As part of the renovation, the special doors of the hospital were reconstructed. The doors to the entrance of the hospital are the masterpiece of Ze’ev Raban z”l, of the Betzalel School of Art and Design. The doors are made of a copper, with the Twelve Tribes interwoven in the background and other animals taken from verses in the Bible.

The Chairman of the Board of “Bikur Cholim”, Mr. David Zilbershlag, noted the symbolism of his dedicating the new entrance to the hospital, heralding a new era for the hospital and its administration and a turning point for the improvement of the services and medical systems of the hospital.

Dr. Raphael Pollack, the Medical Director and acting General Director of the hospital said that the completion of the renovation of the main entrance of the hospital is just the beginning of a number of renovation projects planned for the hospital. Amongst them being the building of a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.U.) and the renovation of the Maternity Ward, started in the last few days. All this in the hope of a wave of rejuvenation, building and renewal for the hospital.

As previously stated, the original architectural plans were revealed at the ceremony, plans which were drawn up about 100 years ago by the architect, Alter David Bornstein. These original plans were framed in a glass case and have been put up in the lobby of the new entrance to the hospital.

Attached is a copy of the original architectural plans, pictures of the doors made by the artist Ze’ev Raban (for details of the artist and his works go to http://lexicon.cet.ac.il/wf/wfTerm.aspx?id=1208) and pictures of the dedication ceremony. Higher quality pictures will gladly be sent upon request.

For more details" Shimon Malka Hospital Spokesman: 054-6718228