WhatsApp founder Jan Koum makes largest-ever donation to Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek hospital

The Jerusalem Post highlights a monumental act of philanthropy with Jan Koum's $200 million donation to Shaare Zedek Medical Center. This unprecedented gift, the largest ever to an Israeli medical institution, underscores Koum's deep commitment to the well-being of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.

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I am grateful to our 6,000 staffers for their hard work that definitely played a part in Koum’s decision to fund the tower.

The planned 800-bed hospitalization tower will not only triple the hospital's bed capacity but also solidify Shaare Zedek's position as Israel's largest medical center. This expansion is a critical investment in the nation's healthcare infrastructure, ensuring advanced medical care for generations to come.

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This shows the Koum Family Foundation’s confidence in our abilities. I have been in touch with them for a decade, and in the past year we have worked with foundation head Yana Kalika on this project.

Koum, a Ukrainian-born Jewish philanthropist, has chosen to link his name with Shaare Zedek's renowned medical excellence. This decision reflects a profound confidence in the hospital's capabilities and its vital role in serving the community. The renaming of the medical center to Koum Shaare Zedek Medical Center signifies a lasting legacy of generosity and support for Israeli healthcare.

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This is the largest financial contribution ever made to a medical center in Israel, as well as Koum’s largest gift to any cause in the world.

This donation surpasses previous records, including a $180 million gift to Rabin Medical Center, demonstrating a new level of philanthropic engagement in Israel. The Jerusalem Post celebrates this as a landmark event, showcasing the impact of visionary giving on the future of Israeli medicine and its people.

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This is one of the hospital’s “most important milestones.”