Magen Lacholeh

Magen Lacholeh (Hebrew: מגן לחולה‎), Shield and Protector of the Sick, is a Jerusalem, Israel-based non-profit organization, created in 1991 to facilitate the link between patients and health professionals. It provides the knowledge, contacts, support and equipment that allow every patient to receive the right medical care.

The organization is headed by Rabbi Benjamin Fisher and operates six branches throughout Israel.

Background

Magen Lacholeh was founded at the initiative of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, a renowned Rabbinical leader in the Jewish world. Rabbi Auerbach started the organization as he saw a need for guidance to those who seek medical attention. He envisioned an organization that helps patients find the best possible medical care by directing them to those health professionals who are the best suited to deal with their specific situation. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman personally opened Magen Lacholeh’s first bank account, bought Rabbi Fisher's first beeper [1], and continued to fund the organization until his passing [2].

Magen Lacholeh's services are provided free of charge and without regard to religion. The organization is structured to provide emergency response in life-threatening situations and operates day and night.

Services

• Medical Referral Hotline
• Emergency Hotline (24/7)
• Appointment Scheduling
• Counseling
• Ambulance Service
• Air ambulance and Surgery Abroad
• Medical Equipment
• Bureaucracy and Red Tape
• Advocacy

External links

• Magen Lacholeh website

References

• Malky, Levitansky (December 3, 1999), "Magen Lacholeh's Binyamin Fischer - A Miraculous Recovery", Yated Ne'eman (Israel): 32–33, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/yated-1999-12-03.pdf 
• Katz, Yaakov (September, 2003), "Rabbinic leader Elyashiv hospitalized in serious condition", The Jerusalem Post, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/jpost-elyashiv-2003-09a.pdf 
• Kahn, J (May, 2004), "Rabbi Benjamin Fisher (French)", Kountrass 101: 25–28, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/kountrass-2004-05.pdf 
• Chevroni, M (October 1, 2003), "Ten years to Magen Lacholeh (Hebrew)", Yated Ne'eman (Israel): 20–24, 32, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/yated-2003-01-10.pdf 
• Sela, Kobi (September 26, 2003), "Rabbi Eliashiv is home; medical treatment coordinated by Rabbi Benjamin Fisher (Hebrew)", Bakehilla, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/bakehilla-2003-09-26.pdf 
• Elitov, Yossi (September 25, 2003), "Rabbi Eliashiv is released from the hospital (Hebrew)", Mishpacha, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/mishpacha-2003-09-25.pdf 
• Ayalon (April 4, 2003), "Ravitz: to amputate my leg or to risk my life (Hebrew)", Iton Tel Aviv, http://www.tam.co.il/4_4_2003/magazin2.htm 
• Weinstein, Motti (January 25, 2001), "Mother suffering from dangerous internal bleedings - referred to psychiatrist (Hebrew)", Iton Yerushalayim, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/jerushalayim-1997-01-25.pdf 
• Kahn, Betzallel (March 19, 2000), "Round the clock medical services (Hebrew)", Yated Ne'eman (Israel), http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/yated-2000-03-19.pdf 
• Kahn, Betzallel (October 10, 1999), "Life of patient is saved thanks to surgery in the USA (Hebrew)", Yated Ne'eman (Israel), http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/yated-1999-10-29.pdf 
• Berger, Gadi (January 15, 1999), "Charity Around the Clock (Hebrew)", Bakehilla: 11, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/bakehilla-1999-01-15.pdf 
• R, Hadshai (August 24, 1998), "200 Beeper messages per day. Profile of: Magen Lacholeh (Hebrew)", Bayit Ne'eman: 25–26, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/bayit-1998-08-24.pdf 
• Feld, Avi (May 24, 1998), "13 year old flies to Belgium on Shabbat for a liver transplant (Hebrew)", Maariv, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/maariv-1998-05-24.pdf 
• Zinger, Tzvi (December 5, 1997), "Israelis stuck overseas (Hebrew)", Yedioth Ahronoth, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/yediot-1997-12-05.pdf 
• N, Katzin (November 11, 1997), "Student is flown for overseas by Magen Lacholeh for a heart transplant (Hebrew)", Yated Ne'eman (Israel), http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/yated-1997-11-17.pdf 
• Shaul, Shiff (March 15, 1996), "Medical Guidance (Hebrew)", Hatzofeh, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/hatzofe-1996-03-15.pdf 
• Hertzberg, Chaya (October 6, 1995), "Benny, Save me (Hebrew)", Mishpacha: 22–24, http://www.magenl.org/press/clips/mishpacha-1995-10-06.pdf