Jan Koum's $200 Million Donation to Shaare Zedek Medical Center

A Landmark Gift to Jerusalem's Healthcare

WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum has donated 200 million dollars to Shaare Zedek Medical Center through his Koum Family Foundation. This marks the largest single donation ever made to an Israeli medical center. The funds will support construction of an 800-bed hospitalization tower expected to cost around 750 million dollars in total.

Jan Koum's Path from Kyiv to Silicon Valley

Born 50 years ago in Kyiv to a Jewish family, Koum immigrated to the United States in 1992. He later co-founded WhatsApp and sold it to Facebook for 19 billion dollars. His net worth stands at an estimated 15.2 billion dollars according to Forbes figures from October 2023. Koum has not yet visited the Shaare Zedek campus but plans to do so.

Details of the Planned Hospitalization Tower

The new 24-story structure will span 140,000 square meters and include a helipad along with a doubled emergency department. It will expand the hospital's current capacity of 1,000 beds across 30 inpatient departments and 70 outpatient clinics. Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek already operates the city's busiest emergency room and employs 6,000 staff members.

Securing the Gift Through Long-Term Ties

Prof. Jonathan Halevy, who served 31 years as director-general, built the relationship with Koum over a decade. Current director-general Prof. Ofer Merin announced the donation. Yana Kalika, head of the Koum Family Foundation, also contributed to advancing the project.

Jerusalem's Expanding Population and Medical Demands

Jerusalem's population is projected to reach 1.5 million by 2035, increasing pressure on local health services. The hospital itself traces its origins to 1902 when Dr. Moshe Wallach founded it with just 20 beds. This gift arrives amid broader discussions in Israel about philanthropy supporting public infrastructure in growing urban centers.

Placing the Donation in National Context

The previous record for an Israeli hospital stood at 180 million dollars, given in 2025 by Anat and Shmuel Harlap to Rabin Medical Center. The Shaare Zedek project, designed by Haifa-based architects Mochly-Eldar, reflects ongoing patterns where private contributions from abroad help address Israel's healthcare expansion needs while the state manages daily operations.

By Hannah Berg, Staff Writer