The administration of Jerusalem's Sha'arei Zedek Medical
Center has appointed Rav Moshe Peleg to preside as hospital
rabbi. Rav Peleg is replacing Rav Yaakov Strauss, who is
retiring after 20 years of exemplary service.
The selection of the new rabbi has received the blessings of
gedolei Yisroel from all chareidi circles in
Jerusalem, for the venerable medical center founded over 100
years ago by Dr. Moshe Wallach.
The selection of the new rav took a long time. This is a very
responsible position, whose bearer must be well-versed in
general as well as medical halocho. The administration
also sought a congenial person who is capable of maintaining
good working relationships with a large staff, as well as
communicating with patients and their families.
Hospital Director, Professor Yehonoson Halevi, expressed
satisfaction over the choice of Rav Moshe Peleg, and wished
him much success in his new position. He expressed the hope
that Rav Peleg will succeed in the preservation of the
special character of the hospital founded by Torah-observant
Jews, whose modern medical services are known for their
excellence.
The rabbinical committee comprised of gedolei haTorah,
which constitutes the halachic authority of the
hospital, blessed the new rav and promised him its full
cooperation. The committee is headed by HaRav Moshe
Halberstam, a member of the BaDaTz of the Eida HaChareidis
and by HaRav Yehoshua Neuwirth.
Born in Canada, Rav Peleg came to Eretz Yisroel when he was
fourteen. He studied in yeshivos kedoshos in
Jerusalem, and then studied horo'oh and
dayanus. He is very close to the gedolei
horo'oh, who hold him in high esteem. He worked in
chinuch for nearly 20 years, and in recent years
served as director of the Kaminetz educational
institutions.
After his appointment, Rav Peleg worked alongside Rav Yaakov
Strauss, the outgoing rav, for a period. Rav Strauss
expressed his desire to resign a long time ago, but at the
request of gedolei Yisroel as well as the heads of the
medical center, he agreed to continue to serve in this
position, despite the difficulties involved, until a suitable
replacement could be found.
Accompanied by many brochos, Rav Strauss completes his
mission, and Rav Peleg embarks on his. These brochos
are combined with brochos for the full recovery of all
of the cholim of am Yisroel.
