Art & Culture

An exciting visit by the President's wife Mrs. Michal Herzog at The Yuri Shtern Holistic center for people dealing with cancer
Israeli president's wife Mrs. Michal Herzog visited the voluntary community clinic of the Yuri Shtern Holistic center for people dealing with cancer On Monday, 9.1.23 in Jerusalem, Mrs. Herzog came to learn and get to know the variety of volunteer activities of the association.

Mrs. Herzog, who is very interested in initiatives and projects for the community, issues that are close to her heart, was interested in the details of the various therapeutic activities that are given to patients at the center, she was interested and moved to personally hear the stories of the therapists and patients, shed a tear during a demonstration of musical spiritual accompaniment - as part of therapy, And in her words she stated: "You really have built a community here that supports not only physically but also emotionally"/

Mrs. Herzog presented questions to the team about the types of treatments, listened very attentively to Prof. Nir Peled, director of the cancer department at Shaari Zedek Hospital and Prof. Natan Charni, Director of Supportive Care at Shaari Zedek Hospital. They talked about the uniqueness of the model not only in Israel but also in the entire world, about the holistic support that is so lacking in dealing with cancer. Dr. Olga Klavanov, a former patient (also a cancer researcher) told on how extent did the treatments affect her ability to return to work and a normal life. And overall, how accessible the complementary treatments at the Yuri Stern Center for Holistic Treatments infused life force and renewed hope into her and the other patients.

Mrs. Herzog's tour was led by Mrs. Lena Stern, who founded the association after a difficult battle with the illness and death from cancer of her husband Yuri Stern, who was a member of the Knesset and an important public figure. Mrs. Herzog stated that Yuri's death was a big loss for the family and for the entire nation of Israel. She said: "Lena you and your family turned his loss out of the personal pain and built here a community that supports and helps those who live the difficulty and pain of the disease."

About the Yuri Shtern Holistic center for people dealing with cancer:

The association  "Yuri Shtern Holistic center for people dealing with cancer" was established by Lena Stern, family and friends in 2007.

The association was established to commemorate the late MK Yori Stern who died of cancer, to strengthen, relieve and support people dealing with cancer.

The Yuri Stern Center operates according to a unique model of professional volunteering; The association recruits qualified therapists from various fields of complementary medicine, trains them in a special course of 55 academic hours for therapeutic work in the oncology field.

The association has been active at Shaare Zedek Medical Center for more than 15 years in close and inspiring cooperation with the medical staff at the Oncology Institute, Children's Hospital and Surgical Department.

The community clinic at Beit Yori Stern was established in 2009 to serve the people dealing with cancer and their families with a wide range of complementary treatments that include: acupuncture, touch therapies, emotional therapies, support groups and community activities (yoga and choir).

About six months ago, the community clinic was opened in Herzliya "by the sea" which operates in the same format as the clinic in Jerusalem.

Complementary medicine treatments contribute to the quality of life of those facing all stages of cancer, reduce the many side effects, lower the level of physical and mental stress and thus improve the chances of recovery, therefore the vision is to enable as many people facing cancer in Israel as possible to receive this type of treatment at an equal price for all soul.

The center employs over 160 volunteer therapists who provide complementary medicine treatments that are provided free of charge at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center and for a nominal fee at the community clinics in Jerusalem and Herzliya.

The team of therapists consists of volunteers who specialize in one of the fields of complementary medicine.

The center trains the therapists, in order to prepare them for dealings related to the treatment of cancer patients and their families, and provides professional advice that accompanies them along the way.

The center's therapists provide over 12,000 treatments a year.

The center won a certificate of appreciation for its contribution to the public health system of the Ministry of Health, a certificate of appreciation from the Israeli Society for Complementary Medicine, an award for its contribution to the community from Channel 9 and more.

The Center for Holistic Assistance is a non-profit institution, operating in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem Municipality, foundations, private donors and income from treatments at the community clinic.