The family of a British rabbi who died in a Jerusalem terrorist attack has launched a campaign to fund emergency facilities for the hospital that treated casualties on the day.
Rabbi Abraham Goldberg, a 68-year-old great-grandfather from Liverpool, was killed in November by two Palestinian terrorists while praying at Kehilat Bnei Torah Synagogue in Har Nof. Three other worshippers and a policeman died in the attack.
North-London-based Michelle Hirschfield, Rabbi Goldberg's cousin, said that following his death, the family decided to raise £67,000 for a three-bed unit in the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre emergency department.
"We didn't want him to be forgotten," she explained. "There's been a connection to Shaare Zedek for decades. His six kids and grandchildren were all born there."
Ms Hirschfield had feared the target was "too ambitious". But on the day she first distributed requests for support, £2,500 was received in donations from friends of the rabbi.
She attributed the response to Rabbi Goldberg's "kind, understanding, personable" nature. "He was an only child and to have such a big family was a lovely thing for him. He had so many friends, he took an interest in everybody and he was very charitable."
Immediate family members were "still very shocked and emotional" by the manner of his death.
Simi Ben Hur, executive director of Shaare Zedek UK, said the campaign was "a testament to the family. At a time when they're grieving, they're thinking about how they can help others.
"It's particularly special that they would support our emergency department. Sadly, we've had plenty of experience in dealing with victims of attacks and this new unit will help us to save more lives. That's really what it's about for us."
Further information via www.shaarezedek.org.uk
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