On November 3, 2025, a wave of hope swept through Beersheva as Soroka University Medical Center, the largest hospital in southern Israel, received official confirmation of a massive rebuilding budget. The hospital, which serves as a lifeline for the Negev region, had suffered a devastating blow in June when it was struck by an Iranian missile during the height of a 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The attack left parts of the facility in ruins and staff and patients reeling, but now, thanks to a combination of government support and extraordinary philanthropy, Soroka is poised for a dramatic transformation.
The centerpiece of this revival is a $100 million donation from Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams, announced in a meeting of the Israeli Cabinet. According to Globes, this is the largest single gift the hospital has ever received. The Israeli government is matching the sum, allocating NIS 360 million (about $100 million), and Clalit Health Services, the hospital’s parent health insurer, will also contribute, bringing the total initiative to approximately 1 billion shekels ($300 million). This unprecedented funding will not only repair the missile damage but also launch Soroka into a new era as one of the most advanced medical centers in the Middle East.
Prof. Shlomi Codish, Soroka’s director, has been a driving force behind the hospital’s recovery efforts. After the June attack, Codish was adamant that rebuilding should go beyond basic repairs. "I need them to see a mechanical digger working," he said, underscoring the need for tangible progress to boost the morale of Soroka’s staff. He insisted that the reconstruction must include long-promised expansions and reinforced structures to protect against future threats. His persistence paid off: "We welcome today’s decision by the government to allocate the required budget for the rehabilitation and reinforcement of Soroka. The new Soroka, with its devoted and outstanding staff, will combine advanced infrastructure and groundbreaking research and innovation to provide the highest standard of medical care, and will thereby turn the tragedy into growth and ensure the resurgence of the Negev, physically and morally," Codish told Globes on the day of the announcement.
The Iranian missile strike on June 19, 2025, was a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerabilities. It happened at the height of a 12-day conflict with Iran, and the hospital’s damage was severe enough to threaten its ability to serve the nearly one million residents of southern Israel. Prof. Codish estimated that rebuilding Soroka to be missile-proof and to include more protected floors would require an investment of NIS 960 million. Even before the latest budget was secured, donors worldwide had rallied to the cause. The Koum Family Foundation led the charge with a $50 million gift and a public call for others to join in. The Helmsley Charitable Trust, a long-standing supporter of Soroka, contributed another $15 million. These donations, while significant, could not alone close the gap—making this week’s government action and Adams’ extraordinary generosity all the more pivotal.
For Adams, the project is deeply personal and symbolic. "Our answer to Iran is to build back bigger and better," he declared, as reported by the Associated Press. "On the very place where missiles fell, we will build in Beersheba, the capital of the Negev, a state-of-the-art hospital that will be one of the most advanced in the Middle East." Adams, who is president of the Israel region of the World Jewish Congress and was named by Times magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential philanthropists, explained his vision with characteristic ambition: "It’s a great honor for me to announce a donation of $100 million to Soroka Hospital, to build and redesign the hospital as an advanced medical center of the first order, a national asset for the Negev and the State of Israel as a whole. Soroka will represent a beacon of medicine, progress, and peace."
The new funding will support construction of a fortified tower at Soroka, designed to withstand future missile attacks and provide expanded, state-of-the-art facilities. According to the Associated Press, this is part of a broader plan to upgrade healthcare throughout southern Israel. The initiative will introduce advanced technology, more protected floors, and the infrastructure needed to ensure the hospital can continue to serve as a critical hub in times of both peace and crisis. "Alongside the government’s decision, the management of the Clalit Health Fund, the mayor of Beersheva, and a community of donors in Israel and around the world, are partners in the process," Codish emphasized, recognizing the collective effort that has brought Soroka to this turning point.
Adams is no stranger to philanthropy or to the Israeli public eye. Beyond his work in medicine, he has championed causes in sports and education. He is the co-owner of the Israel Premier Tech cycling team, though recent months have seen him step back from an active role. The team, which once carried Israel’s name on the international stage, recently rebranded and distanced itself from its national identity after being excluded from a major race in Italy due to concerns about pro-Palestinian protests and disruptions at other events stemming from Israel’s war in Gaza. Adams, in response to these controversies, stated he would no longer take “an active role” in the team, signaling a shift in his public focus toward projects like Soroka that unite rather than divide.
The Soroka project, then, is more than just a hospital rebuild—it’s a statement about resilience, community, and the power of collective action in the face of adversity. The hospital’s staff and the residents of the Negev are not just recipients of aid; they are partners in a vision for renewal. Codish captured this sentiment in his remarks: "On behalf of the employees of Soroka and the residents of the Negev I thank Mr. Adams for his generous donation, which will change the face of the medical center for many years ahead and position us on a par with the world’s leading medical centers."
The story of Soroka’s revival is also a testament to the importance of international philanthropy in times of crisis. The Koum Family Foundation and Helmsley Charitable Trust, both based outside Israel, played crucial roles in the early stages of fundraising. Their involvement galvanized other donors and demonstrated the global Jewish community’s commitment to Israel’s well-being. But it was Adams’ gift, coupled with decisive government action, that finally closed the funding gap and set the stage for a new era.
As construction equipment moves onto the site and plans for the new fortified tower take shape, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in Beersheva. The scars of June’s missile strike remain, but so too does a determination to rebuild not just what was lost, but to create something even stronger. For the people of the Negev, and for Israel as a whole, Soroka’s transformation is a beacon—a sign that even in the aftermath of destruction, renewal is possible with vision, unity, and generosity.
