ALLERGISTS FOR ISRAEL

Dear AFI Members and Friends:

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this year at the AFI Welcome Reception KiddushFriday night which begins at 6 p.m. and the Gala event on Sunday which will be at the HealthMuseum where you will have the opportunity of touring the Amazing Body Pavilion, the YOUexhibits and the Whitfield Gallery. We have two excellent speakers, Dr. Jordon Orange whowill talk about The Genetic Basis of Immune Disease: New Experiences, New Biology and NewDiscoveries and Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld who will talk about Medicine after the Holocaust. Weare very thankful to our Corporate sponsor, TEVA, for their continued generous support of AFI.Their unwavering support of our organization has allowed AFI to successfully achieve our mission to fosterresearch, education and collegiality with our Allergy/Immunology colleagues in Israel and around the world. This year MEDA has agreed to be a Gold sponsor and we would like to thank them for their support and welcomethem to the AFI family. Special thanks to Beth Goldfarb and her husband Richie who are avid supporters of AFI.Beth is amazing and takes a lot of time and always makes a special effort to plan events that everyone will findmeaningful and enjoyable. And of course if Richie weren’t supportive of Beth and AFI, it wouldn’t happen. Asalways our organization is only as strong as its membership. We thank everyone for their participation by paying the annual dues and attending our functions at the AAAAI and ACAAI meetings. To join AFI or renew your membership, simply go on-line to our website, www.allergists4israel.org, and submit your dues for 2015.Although there are many competing functions on Sunday including the ART walk-a-thon and many trainingprogram reunions we welcome everyone to attend even if you have to come late or leave early due to otherobligations. We encourage you to RSVP and share your presence with us even if you can’t stay the entire program.

AFI has been very busy this past year. The most notable announcement is confirmation that the WAO will holdtheir 2016 WISC conference in Jerusalem, Israel. This is very exciting news and we are hoping to attract at least1,500 Allergists from around the world to this meeting. Details are forthcoming but the tentative dates will beearly December 2016. In late March 2014, AFI presented a symposium at the INTERASMA meeting organized by the late Dr. Carlos Baena Cagnani in Mexico City where I presented two talks, Chronic Traffic Pollution andInflammation in Older Adults and Asthma Management: Beyond Pharmacotherapy, Dr. Edgardo Jares spoke on Occupational Asthma: Diagnosis and Treatment and Dr. Lyndon Mansfield spoke on New Advances in thePharmacologic Treatment of Asthma. We are all very saddened by the recent passing of Carlos who was a greatman and friend of AFI and Allergy. He will be deeply missed but his spirit is alive in all of the organizationalactivities he worked hard to make a success. AFI presented the symposium Update on Drug Hypersensitivity recentlyin Rio De Janeiro as part of the WAO, WISC conference. Dr. Mario Geller from Brazil moderated and Dr. EdgardoJares spoke on the epidemiology of drug reactions, Leonard Bielory spoke about NSAID and ASA drug reactionsand yours truly spoke on the approach to drug desensitization. It was a very big success as evidence by the largeattendance (see pictures). During this meeting, AFI also sponsored a small get together dinner with Drs. EliMeltzer and Gary Gross who were in attendance at the meeting. In March of 2015, AFI will again be presenting a symposium at the Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, (SLaai) entitled The Impact ofEnvironmental Determinants on Asthma. Our speakers include Dr. Edgardo Jares, Dr. Bill Silver, Dr. LeonardBielory and myself.

This year AFI was again privileged to provide support for the annual IAACI pre-meeting reception in Haifa. This was a very successful meeting attended by several AFI members including Drs. David Bernstein and BruceMazer. AFI also sponsored Dr. Sheldon Spector, who traveled to Israel in January and gave several talks on behalfof AFI. He spoke at Dr. Shmuel Kivity’s Clinic at the Tel Aviv Medical Center on Rhinosinusitis, Bronchial Challenges forAllergists and Pulmonologists as well as Case Discussions on Urticaria. Finally, AFI is providing a small grant to LironGrossmann, an Israeli medical student who just completed a month long rotation at the CCHMC in Cincinnati and is now doing a rotation in Immunology with Jonathan Spergel at CHOPs in March. Finally, we would like tocongratulate the recipients of this year’s AFI research awards: Drs. Meital Almog (Research Related to Pertussis),Alon Hershko (The Mechanisms Involved in IL-2 Production by Regulatory Mast Cells in Chronic Allergic Dermatitis),Yuval Tal (Identification of Genetic Loci in Family Members Afflicted with SLE and other Autoimmune Diseases) andOri Toker (Anaphylaxis-Induced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Retrospective Analysis). We are very proud of youall and look forward to seeing your work presented at future scientific meetings.

We continue to welcome any Allergy training program to participate in hosting Israeli allergy fellows or allergistsas part of our mini-fellowship/sabbatical program. Please contact Beth or myself at jonathan.bernstein@uc.edu if youare interested in being a host institution.

On behalf of the AFI board of directors and staff, I sincerely thank you for your continued support andencouragement. I look forward to seeing you all at the AAAAI meeting in Houston, Texas.

Shalom and Yeehaw,

Jonathan A. Bernstein, M.D.Chairman, Allergists for Israel

Vol 12, Number 1 – February 2015

Allergistsfor Israelwww.allergists4israel.org

AAAAI 2015Annual Meeting

Houston, TXFebruary 20–24, 2015

AFI Annual Gala Dinner EventSunday, February 22

6:30–9:30 p.m.The Health Museum1515 Hermann Drive

Guest Speakers:Jordan Orange, M.D., Ph.D.The Genetic Basis of Immune

Disease: New Experiences, NewBiology and New Discoveries

Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D.,F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.

Medicine After the Holocaust

Support provided by Teva Respiratory

and MEDA

n n n n n n n

AFI Religious ServicesThe following events take place at the Hilton Americas – Houston

Kiddush ReceptionFriday, February 20

6:00 p.m.Level 2

Ballroom of the Americas F

Shabbat ServicesFriday, February 20

5:45 p.m.Level 2

Ballroom of the Americas CSaturday, February 21

6:15 a.m. ShacharitLevel 3 Room 340 AB

5:45 p.m. Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit,

Maariv and Havdalah at 6:51 p.m.

Level 3 Room 330

Weekday ServicesSunday, February 22

6:15 a.m. Shacharit Level 3 Room 329

Monday, February 23 6:15 a.m. ShacharitLevel 3 Room 330

Mission/Vision of Allergists for Israel

Allergists for Israel was founded in 1984 and the evolving vision of our group is to:

1. Develop camaraderie by the gathering (nationally and internationally) ofAllergists/Immunologists and other supporters of allergy in Israel at nationalAcademy and College allergy meetings.

2. Provide financial support for Israeli allergy fellows for scholarly activities.

3. Establish an international network of Allergists & Immunologists in order tofoster and enhance communication and interaction with Israeli professionalcolleagues.

4. Develop linkages between Allergists/Immunologists from around the world andIsraeli Allergists/Immunologists by sponsoring Allergists/Immunologists to visitand speak in Israel.

ChairpersonJonathan A. Bernstein, M.D.

Board of DirectorsLeonard Bielory, M.DJohn Cohn, M.D.Daniel Ein, M.D.Beth GoldfarbGary Gross, M.D.Edgardo Jares, M.D.Michael Kaliner, M.D.Greg LundLyndon Mansfield, M.D.Randee MansfieldJonathan Matz, M.D.Sam Patel, R.Ph., MBADavid Rosenthal, D.O.Marc Rothenberg, M.D.Nathan Segall, M.D.Bernard Silverman, M.D.William Silvers, M.D.Jonathan Spergel, M.D.

IAACINancy Agmon-Levin, M.D.Ilan Dalal, M.D.Alon Hershko, M.D.Aharon Kessel, M.D.Menachem Rottem, M.D.Valerie Teplitsky, M.D.

WebmasterDavid Rosenthal, D.O.

AdministratorBeth Goldfarb

TreasurerRandee Mansfield

Founder (1984)William Silvers, M.D.

Past ChairpersonsLyndon Mansfield, M.D.William Silvers, M.D.

Allergists for Israel is a 501- (c) 3 organization

ALLERGISTS FOR ISRAEL

HELP AFI GROWSHARE OUR INFORMATION!

You can also give our Board Members names of friends and colleagues

whom you would like for AFI to invite to our programs.

Contact Beth: afiadm@gmail.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 • 6:30 –9:30 p.m.

1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004

GUEST SPEAKERS

Annual Gala Dinner

AFI would like to thank our sponsors for their interest and support

CORPORATE SPONSOR GOLD SPONSOR

Jordan Orange, M.D., Ph.D. The Genetic Basis of Immune Disease:

New Experiences, New Biology and New Discoveries

Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D.,F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.

Medicine After the Holocaust

Jordan S. Orange, M.D., Ph.D.

As Chief of the Section of Immunology,Allergy and Rheumatology at Texas Children’sHospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr.Orange is committed to the strongest, mosteffective, compassionate and innovative clinicalprograms related to immunologic, allergic andrheumatologic diseases that affect children andtheir families.

As Director of the Texas Children’s HospitalCenter for Human Immunobiology, Dr. Orange is also committed to delivering innovativeadvances to these and related fields throughcutting-edge research.

As an overarching theme, Dr. Orange aspiresto synthesize clinicians, researchers, andadministrators to synergize for the purpose ofgenerating atypical solutions for patients in thehospital, clinics, laboratory and community. Dr. Orange’s personal clinical interests are inprimary immunodeficiency diseases and naturalkiller cell deficiencies. In research, he hasfocused also upon primary immunodeficiencydiseases, the genetics of immunologic diseaseas well as the immunobiology of human naturalkiller cells.

Dr. Orange received his medical degree and adoctoral degree in immunology from Brown

University and served as a resident in pediatricsat the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Hereceived subspecialty training in allergy,immunology, and rheumatology at BostonChildren’s Hospital. Prior to his current positions,Dr. Orange was an attending physician in theDivisions of Allergy and Immunology at theChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where heheld the Jeffrey Modell Endowed Chair ofImmunology.

Dr. Orange is a Fellow of the AmericanAcademy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology(AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). He is aformer chair of the AAAAI Basic and ClinicalImmunology Interest Section and is presentlyan elected councilor of the Clinical ImmunologySociety and will serve as its 2016 president. In2010, Dr. Orange became an elected member ofthe American Society for Clinical Investigation. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewedmanuscripts in both basic and clinicalimmunology. In recognition of his research, Dr.Orange received the 2009 Judson Daland Prizefrom the American Philosophical Society foroutstanding patient-oriented clinicalinvestigation.

Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld is Clinical Professor ofMedicine at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)and Clinical Professor of Nursing at theUniversity of Texas School of Nursing in Houston (UTSON). He was in the private practiceof endocrinology and internal medicine for 36 years until his retirement in June 2014. Dr. Rubenfeld published scientific papers on endocrine disorders and two editions ofCould It Be My Thyroid?, and has taught JewishMedical Ethics at BCM and Healing by Killing:Medicine in the Third Reich at BCM and UTSONfor seven years.

In 2007, Dr. Rubenfeld created Medical Ethicsand the Holocaust, which included a six-month

exhibit How Healing Becomes Killing: Eugenics,Euthanasia, Extermination at Holocaust MuseumHouston and the 17-part The Michael DeBakeyMedical Ethics Lecture Series. He publishedMedicine After the Holocaust: From the MasterRace to the Human Genome and Beyond in 2010and Human Subjects Research after theHolocaust in 2014.

Dr. Rubenfeld is the founding chairman ofthe Center for Medicine After the Holocaust,whose mission is to is to challenge doctors,nurses, and bioscientists to personally confrontthe medical ethics of the Holocaust and applythat knowledge to contemporary practice and research.

Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.

Recipients of AFI Research Awards

Meital Almog, M.D.Pertussis

Alon Hershko, M.D., Ph.D.The Mechanisms Involved in IL-2 Production by Regulatory Mast Cells in Chronic AllergicDermatitisAlon Hershko is a SacklerFaculty of Medicinephysician at Tel AvivUniversity in Tel Aviv,Israel. He is also with theDepartment of InternalMedicine at the MeirMedical Center. He receivedhis medical degree as wellas his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at HebrewUniversity in Jerusalem, Israel. He has co-authored multiple publications including bookchapters, reports, reviews and case reports.

❝It is a great privilege and honor to receive the AFI award for 2014. I am profoundlyindebted to the AFI for their support over theyears. The support has included funding ofscientific projects as well as heartwarmingsocial events and a sense of home away fromhome at AAAAI meetings. Toda Raba!❞

Ori Toker, M.D.Anaphylaxis-Induced Post-Traumatic StressDisorder: A Retrospective AnalysisOri Toker is on faculty at the Shaare ZedekMedical Center in the Pediatric Department. Heserves on the Pediatric Educational Committeeat the Hebrew University. He is an instructor of4th year medical students at Shaare ZedekMedical Center. He received his medical degreeat the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

Yuval Tal, M.D.Identification of Genetic Loci in Family MembersAfflicted with SLE and other AutoimmuneDiseases Yuval Tal was born in 1968 in Israel. He served in the army until 1990 and is now a Major in the reserved forces. He completed his B.Sc. in Biology at Tel AvivUniversity and his medicaldegree at the HebrewUniversity along with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in CellBiology with the faculty of Medicine inJerusalem. Yuval completed his residency inInternal Medicine and a Fellowship in Allergyand Clinical Immunologyat Hadassah UniversityMedical Center in 2011.He has worked as asenior physician atHadassah Hospital in the Allergy and ClinicalImmunology Unit,Internal MedicineDepartment, as aconsultant in Allergy and Immunology and alecturer in the Faculty of Medicine. He hasparticipated in severalclinical researches inboth allergy andautoimmunity, and has published severaloriginal articles, reviews and clinical reports.

❝All along the way since I started myfellowship in Allergy and Clinical Immunologyat Hadassah University Medical Center, underthe supervision of Prof. Meir Shalit, theAllergists for Israel were always thereextending their hand in genuine friendship,support in research and teaching. In time, I gradually became personally familiar with some of the AFI members and realized how unadulterated and caring that help is. I would like to thank each of the AFImembers for their support.❞

Yuval Tal’s poster presentation willbe on Sunday February 22 from9:45–10:45 a.m. in Exhibit Hall B2,Level Three at the George R. BrownConvention Center, during thesession on Urticaria. His abstract,(poster number 410 session number3208) is entitled, SuccessfulOmalizumab Treatment of a 6-YearOld Child with Severe Solar Urticaria.

IAACI 2014 CONFERENCE

The 2014 IAACI meeting was held inDecember in Haifa, Israel. Cheryl and DavidBernstein, M.D. were two of our AFI colleagueswho traveled to Israel for the conference.David’s presentation at the meeting wassponsored by the American College of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology.

“I spoke on environmental determinants ofchildhood asthma, mainly presenting data fromour 13-year-old Cincinnati Allergy and AirPollution Birth Cohort Study,” says David.

“I had a wonderful professional experienceattending and speaking at the 2014 IsraelAllergy Society meeting held in Haifa at the DanCarmel in December. The conference was firstrate and well attended by leading allergist andimmunologists from Israel and North Americaand featured an excellent symposium onPrimary Immune Deficiency Disorders.”

Dr. Bernstein is a Professor of Medicine andEnvironmental Health and is with the Divisionof Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology atthe University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

And Then You Walked In…Nofar Kimchi

With a new year beginning and the next AAAAIconference coming up, it is impossible for me not to reflect on the pastyear. Personally, the highlight of my year was the 2014 AAAAI conference. Indeed, it was a greatopportunity for me to share my research. However, while it was a big part, it was not the only reasonfor this experience being so special.

Upon my arrival to the conference, I was nervous, excited, and very thankful that my mothersurprised me by joining me in San Diego, because other than my research team, I knew the grand totalof zero people and the prospect of having Friday night dinner alone was unappetizing.

It is exactly at this point, between smiling from ear to ear thinking that I had entered Disneyworldfor healthcare professionals and having Friday night dinner with my mom, that Allergists for Israelcompletely changed the picture.

We were sitting in the lobby Friday night, when suddenly we spotted a huge group of men (withyarmulkas) and women walking. I turned to my ima and said, “let’s follow them”! Within 30 seconds,we reached a room with a poster sign saying Allergists for Israel. We decided to turn around, but justthen someone approached us and asked, “have you heard Kiddush yet?” From this point on everyoneinvolved in Allergists for Israel, was such a huge support system for me, both throughout the conferenceand ever since.

The entire team of Allergists for Israel, ensured that I gained as much as I could from the conference,as well as enjoy every second. While, I was not a member previously, my mom and I were invited to allthe events organized by AFI. It is truly thanks to Allergists for Israel, that the conference became morethan just a platform for me to showcase my research in. Throughout those four days, I met AFIphysicians and other healthcare professionals who reminded me of exactly why I chose to pursue

medicine. In my opinion, it is the one profession which includesso many others, is continuously evolving, and involves everythingfrom the love of our fellow man to science to the arts.

As a medical student, it is very easy to drown in exams,quizzes, schedules, and a general state of perfectionism. I can’tthank Allergists for Israel enough, for not only taking me undertheir wing, but for also reminding me of what lies after all the exams.

I hope that 2015 will give all of the members of Allergistsfor Israel the strength to continue in your amazing work and theknowledge that you truly do have the power of inspiring the nextgeneration of allergists! Yishar Koach!

❝…everyoneinvolved inAllergists for Israel,was such a hugesupport system for me, boththroughout theconference and ever since.❞

We are pleased toannounce that Dr. AlonHershko was chosen bythe American Academy of Allergy, Asthma andImmunology as the 2015 Bernard B. SiegelMemorial Award recipientfor his abstract, TheMechanisms Involved in IL-2 Production byRegulatory Mast Cells inChronic Allergic Dermatitis. His award will bepresented at the AAAAI Annual Meeting inHouston, Texas.

Dr. Hershko graduated from the HebrewUniversity and Hadassah Medical School in1995. Following one year of internship atHadassah Medical Center, he joined thelaboratory of Prof. Aharon Razin at the HebrewUniversity for a formal program of Ph.D. studiesin molecular biology. The topic of his work wasDNA methylation. Methylation is an intriguingmechanism of gene regulation, in which DNA ischemically modified. As a result, binding of

regulatory proteins is inhibited resulting ingene silencing.

Alon completed his training at HadassahHospital in Internal Medicine and Allergy andClinical Immunology. He continued laboratorywork and published research on autoantibodies,lupus and vasculitis. Dr. Hershko spent threeyears in the laboratory of Juan Rivera at theNational Institutes of Health in Bethesda,Maryland. “I investigated mouse models ofallergic diseases. My work was focused onallergic skin disease and on allergic asthma. I found that mast cells, known to mediateallergic responses can also inhibit inflammationunder specific conditions,” reported Hershko.These findings were subsequently published inleading scientific journals.

Upon returning to Israel, Alon joined theDepartment of Medicine at Meir Medical Centerin Kfar Saba and is with the Sackler Faculty ofMedicine at Tel Aviv University. He is alsoDirector of Meir Hospital Research Authority.

Allergists for Israel wishes to applaud Dr. Alon Hershko

The Bernard B. Siegel Memorial Award

Recipients of the Bernard B. Siegel Memorial Award

1984 C. Springer M.D. Hadassah Hospital (Mount Scopus)I. Ben-Dov M.D.

1985 Chana Maayan M.D. Hadassah Hospital (Mount Scopus)1986 Shlomo Bar-Sela M.D. Hadassah Hospital (Ein Karem)1987 Avner Reshef M.D. Zieff Medical Center, Zafed1988 Meir Shalit M.D. Hadassah Hospital (Ein Karem)1989 Yitzhak Katz M.D. Assaf Harofeh Hospital, Zerifin1990 Francesca Levy-Schaffer Ph.D. Hebrew University of Jerusalem1991 Yoseph A. Mekori M.D. Meir General Hospital, Kfar Saba1992 Michael Levy M.D. Jerusalem (private practice)1993 Arnon Goldberg M.D. Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba1994 Rami Hershkowiz M.D. Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba1995 Meir Shalit M.D. Hadassah Hospital (Ein Karem)1996 Ronit Confino-Cohen M.D. Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba1997 Dana Baram Ph.D. Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba1998 Ilan Dalal M.D. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon1999 Morli Hartman Ph.D. Hebrew University, Jerusalem2000 Michael Stein M.D. Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot2001 Yachov Beerkum M.D. Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem2002 Kobi Sade M.D. Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv2003 Adi Cohen M.D. Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin2004 Valery Teplitzky M.D. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon2005 Amit Nachum M.D. Ph.D. Schneider Children Hospital, Petach Tikva2006 Nirit Segal M.D. Schneider Children Hospital, Petach Tikva2007 Mona I. Kidon M.D. Children Medical Clinic, Rishon Lezion 2008 Nily Mazur M.D. Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 2009 Adam Mor M.D. Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 2010 Michal Cohen M.D. Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin20112012 Arnon Elizur M.D. Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin2013 Eduardo Shahar, M.D. Rambam Health Care Center, Haifa2014 Vered Schichter-Konfino, M.D. Bnai-Zion Hospital, Haifa2015 Alon Hershko, M.D. Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba

Dr. Bernard B. Siegel was along standing Fellow of the AAAAI, Editor of theAllergy Abstracts of theJournal of Allergy and ClinicalImmunology and recipient of the Distinguished ServiceAward of the Academy. “It was my privilege to trainwith Bernie Siegel in theAllergy Division of the JewishHospital of Brooklyn under Dr. Mathew Walzer M.D.” says Israel Glazer.

Dr. Siegel was very interestedin medical affairs in Israel,particularly in the field ofallergy. After his death inOctober 1982, family andfriends established a fund in his memory. Since 1985 a leading Israeli Allergist/Immunologist and author of a paper accepted forpresentation at the AmericanAcademy’s annual meetinghas received the Bernard B.Siegel Memorial Award.

The Trustees of this fund arethe Head of the Allergy Unit of the Hadassah Hospital inJerusalem, currently Prof. MeirShalit, and Israel Glazer, M.D.,Founder and head (retired) ofthe Allergy Unit at the ShebaMedical Center, Tel Hashomer.

Dr. Alon Hershko

After reading the informative editorial by Dr.John Cohn in the Jewish Exponent on September23, 2014 entitled Taking Action To Counter ThePoliticization Of Medical Journal, I was moved tojoin an international group of physicians on afact-finding mission to Israel seeking fairness inmedical reporting. On that trip I was witness toan Israeli hospital taking care of Syrian citizensinjured in the brutal civil war across the border.Without hesitation, Israeli healthcare workersare treating men, women and children who arecasualties of that conflict. A military fieldhospital first evaluates and treats “thousands”of injured and transfers the more seriouslywounded to hospitalcare. In the last 18months, two hospitals innorthern Israel, using themost advancedtechniques in modernmedicine, have treatedalmost 1,000 injuredSyrians, most withhorrific injuries. On theday we visited onehospital, there were eightseverely injured youngpatients. One 12-year-oldboy most certainly wouldhave died from hisinjuries which necessitated amputation of anarm, one leg and loss of both eyes. Despite hisinjuries, he remains in excellent spirits, a tributeto his treatment and youthfulness. Anotheryoung Syrian who had lost his father in the warwas reported to have pleaded with his Israelidoctors to let him die as his family would notbe able to pay for his medical care. Of course hewas treated without regard to his or his family'sfinancial needs.

In another area of Israel, at the Eretz crossingbetween Gaza and Israel, the Commanderinformed us that 700 sick and injuredPalestinians were similarly transferred andcared for in Israeli hospitals even in thepresence of belligerence and the all-out warfarethat took place this summer.

At the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, twenty twoof thirty six patients in the oncology ward werefrom The Palestinian territories.

Despite claims in the news of Israeli war crimes, genocide and poor treatment of the

Palestinian people, thistrip confirmed just theopposite. The Israeligovernment continues to perform untold effortscaring for the injured and sick who presentthemselves to theirborders. Theirhumanitarian effortsshould be applauded, not derided.

In addition, I salute theJewish spirit that respectsall life and cares for those

in need. The world must be made aware of thecompassionate work being done by the Israeligovernment and the dedicated physicians I meton this trip.

—Marc Zimmerman, M.D.Wynnewood, PA

AFI would like to commend John Cohn, our member, friend and colleague who organized aphysicians educational mission to Israel which took place October 31–November 4, 2014. Themission was entitled, “Responding to the Abuse of Civilian Populations for Political Goals in an Eraof Asymmetrical Warfare.”

Below are the comments of a participant on the mission.John Cohn

The Israeli governmentcontinues to performuntold efforts caring for the injured and sickwho present themselvesto their borders.

Doctor Hails Israel’s Wartime Medical Aid

My name is Liron Grossmann and I am 34 years old. I have just completed my medicalstudies at the Tel Aviv University Sackler Medical School, Israel.

Before studying medicine, I completed myundergraduate degree in electrical engineering(with honors) at the prestigious TechnionUniversity in Haifa, Israel (the Technion).Afterwards, I worked for a Hi-Tech company in the Silicon Valley, California for a period ofthree months. Afterwards, I completed amaster’s degree in electrical engineering (again with honors) at the Technion.Concurrently, I was a teaching assistant for anumber of courses in the Technion's electricalengineering department. After completing mymaster’s degree, I worked as a physics lecturerat Ariel College as well as for two courses atShankar College.

In 2007, I attended the Beit Zvi School ofStagecraft where I studied for approximatelytwo and a half years. The time spent at theacting school was a powerful and motivatingexperience which provided me with tools and unique interpersonal skills, especially inrelation to children.

At the end of my course of studies at theacting school I knew in my heart, and thusdecided, that I would be a pediatrician. Ienrolled in a 4-year medical program aftercompleting six courses at the Tel Aviv Universitydepartment of biology (completed thecoursework cum laude).

Long before enrolling in medical school, I dreamed of being a pediatrician. After my

internship in pediatrics at Tel-HashomerHospital last year, I knew that I was in the rightplace and that my dream would become reality.I see myself joining the staff at one of thechildren’s hospitals in Israel in a few years andadvancing the field of pediatrics in the specialtyin which I will choose.

I wish to acquire as much experience andtraining in pediatrics as possible, and to beexposed to different and varied methods. Tothat end, I believe that gaining experience in aforeign country, especially one as advanced asthe United States, will advance my professionaland scientific abilities. In addition, should I wishto work outside of Israel in the future, thiswould be an excellent opportunity to buildconnections for the future.

I take a particular interest in pediatrichemato-oncology, immunology and genetics.

In addition to my professional interests,during my free time, I play the piano, singOpera, read books, swim, and engage in various social activities. Moreover, I work as a Physician’s Assistant at the Tel-HashomerHospital's pediatrics department as well as in an internal medicine department at theSorasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv.

Prior to being accepted to medical school, I was a research assistant at a diabetes researchlaboratory at the Tel Aviv University. During my pre-clinical studies, I worked in a cancerresearch facility at Tel-Hashomer researchingpediatric leukemia.

That is me in a “nutshell.”

Liron Grossmann

Sheldon Spector, M.D. presented to a group atDr. Shmuel Kivity's Clinic at the Tel Aviv MedicalCenter on behalf of AFI in January 2015. He

spoke about Rhinosinusitis, Bronchial Challengesfor Allergists and Pulmonologists as well as CaseDiscussions on Urticaria.

Liron Grossman is arecipient of an AFIgrant to participate in the InternationalDepartment at theChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia for amonth internship. He will be workingwith our colleagueJonathan Spergel, M.D.

We wish Liron much success!

Sheldon Spector, M.D.

AFI Awards Internship Grant to Liron Grossman

Sheldon Spector Speaks on Behalf of AFI

Allergists for Israel is looking forward to participating in the upcoming SLaai conference in Buenos Aires,

March 14–16, 2015

AFI is proud to announce the WISC 2016 WAO International Scientific Conference will take place in Jerusalem, Israel in December 2016.

It is with much appreciation that we acknowledge the WAO, IAACI and members of AFI for their work and dedication towards bringing this meeting to Israel.

Put this on your calendar and stay in touch for upcoming information!

AFI at the WAO Conference in Rio 2014

Mario Geller, Edgardo Jares, Leonard Bielory,Jonathan Bernstein

Lisa Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, M.D.,Judy Meltzer, Eli Meltzer, M.D., Lara Gross,Gary Gross, M.D.

Allergists for Israel was proud to be a sponsor of the 2014 WAOInternational Scientific Conference which took place in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil in December.

AFI Symposium speakers included Drs. Jonathan Bernstein, LeonardBielory, Mario Geller, Paul Greenberger and Edgardo Jares.

Drs. Mario Geller, Edgardo Jares, Paul Greenberger,Leonard Bielory, Jonathan Bernstein

San Diego Conference 2014

I’ve always loved coming up with ideas for my little column, Tidbits from Beth and you’veall been so very kind to read my thoughts. It is actually a big risk to put yourself out there and share ideas. So this time around…I’m really going out on a limb! To be honest,contemplating writing this article for a monthnow, I have sadly come up with no inspiration.For someone who is usually so optimistic…wellthe state of affairs seems to have touched myspirit with a sadness, a fear and perhaps areckoning with reality. Between the untimelyloss of several dear relatives and friends and thehavoc from terrorism reigning worldwide, risinganti-semitism and irrational governmentshaving nuclear power…well, sometimes onewonders if the sun will come out tomorrow.

So, not knowing what to write, I decided toshare something I have only seldom sharedwith mostly family and a few friends, my poetry. And maybe it’s safe going out on a limb here because AFI…well, you feel likefriends and family.

I wrote this after the 2001 suicide bombingoutside of a disco in Tel Aviv. I will hope that you do not mind my sharing with yousomething of a somber nature. But true to the Jewish heritage, despite struggling withdarkness that may seem overwhelming at anygiven time; we know, we believe, we trust andwe work towards a tomorrow when the sunwill always rise.

Tidbits from Beth

Beth Goldfarb

Their eyes lingered on one anotherfor but a moment,filled with anticipation, excitement of youth, scanning the crowd,one with fun-filled expectation,one with firm determination,both with eagerness of a night to be remembered.

The neon lights were beckoningas were the drums beating theirthunderous reverberations.For but a moment it all laid ahead,like a yellow brick road to an Emerald City.Bringing them togethertheir past, present and future.

Could there have been a moment of fear, though undetected, before she closed her eyesas she pulled the pinheralding herself as a human bomb,shattering dreams not yet dreamt.

The national anthem…The HopeThe eternal city…of Peacemourns againas the brick road turns scarlet red. For munchkins and witches, wizards and kings, friend and foe, all bleed the same color of despair.

The ensuing chaos viewed from the Upper Realmtook on a slow motion haze,definitely out of body sensation, sur-real.A dance, as never before performed.

They stood together, again, on a yellow brick path near gates they alwayspresumed to be of pearl.

Eyes clenched in a stare, to last an eternal moment.

Engaged in silence,for their war has no placeHere.

—Beth Goldfarb4/2002

Pearly Gates of Heaven

LEVELS of GIVING

Corporate Sponsorship Levels

Founding Sponsor $75,000 and upDiamond Sponsor $50,000 – $75,000Platinum Sponsor $25,000 – $50,000Gold Sponsor $10,000 – $25,000Silver Sponsor $5,000 – $10,000Premier Sponsor $1000 – $5,000

Membership LevelsWe appreciate the annual support of our membership. Without your commitment,

participation and vision Allergists for Israel would not be sustainable.

$118: Chaver/Friend$180: Ozer/Helper$360: Madrich/Guide$540: Tzadik/Righteous One$1000: Chalutzim/Pioneers

Please contact Beth: afiadm@gmail.com to check on your membership status.

With appreciation

we would like

to thank

TEVAfor being AFI’s

Founding Sponsor.

Gold Sponsor

AFI’s mission is to create and foster research and educational ties between Israel andthe United States, Canada, South America, Asia and Europe. We provide financial supportfor Israeli allergy fellows for scholarly activities and to promote the specialty of Allergy andClinical Immunology.

You can help to advance our mission by considering Allergists for Israel when you makecontributions in honor or in memory of a special person or commemorating an event. Wewill send a donation card to the recipient and mail you an acknowledgement letter of yourtax exempt contribution. Simply email Beth at afiadm@gmail.com with the necessaryinformation.

YOUR 2015 MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CONTINUATION OF OUR WORK.

We appreciate you supporting AFI with your contributions

ALLERGISTS FOR ISRAEL

AFI’s Mission

Corporate Sponsor

The Kvelling Korner:A place to express great pleasure combined with pride!

THE

KVELLIN

G

KORNER

CONGRATULATIONS to families of our AFI family!

Jonathan Bernstein’s daughter’swedding: Jonathan, Ali, Dannyand Lisa

Proud GrandpaAllan Stillerman

Just arrived! Edgardo Jares’sgranddaughter

Congratulations

to Anna Sprunger!

on the birth of her

fourth child, Ava Adele

HAIFARambam Medical CenterProf. Shimon Pollackpollack@rambam.health.gov.il

KFAR SABAMeir Medical CenterDr. Arnon Goldbergarnong@clalit.org.il

PETACH TIKVASchneider Medical CenterProf. Yehuda Danonydanon@clalit.org.il

TEL AVIVSourasky Medical CenterProf. Shmuel Kivityallergy@tasmc.health.gov.il

HOLONWolfson Medical CenterDr. Amir Tanaitanai@post.tau.ac.il

RAMAT GANSheba Medical CenterDr. Avner Reshefaresh@netvision.net.il

REHOVOTKaplan Medical CenterProf. Zev ShtoegerZev_s@clalit.org.il

RISHON LEZIONAsaf Harofeh Medical CenterProf. Yitzhak Katzykatz@post.tau.ac.il

JERUSALEMHadassah Medical CenterProf. Meir Shalitshalit@hadassah.org.il

Locations of Allergy Training Programs in Israel

AFI M

embe

rshi

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15Allergists for Israel 2015 Membership Application Form

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Please let us know what you are interested in seeing Allergists for Israel achieve. Your comments and suggestions will help us to improve our organization.

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Our primary mode of communication will be e-mail since it is easy to use and inexpensive. Please let usknow if you would rather be contacted via an alternate method. nn Phone nn Fax

Please consider these levels of giving:

nn $118: Chaver/Friend

nn $180: Ozer/Helper

nn $360: Madrich/Guide

nn $540: Tzadik/Righteous One

nn $1000: Chalutzim/Pioneers

Method of Payment

nn Check made payable to ALLERGISTS FOR ISRAEL

nn Paypal — Click on PAY DUES on our website: www.allergists4israel.org

Please visit our website: www.allergists4israel.org

For questions or comments, contact Beth at afiadm@gmail.com

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. PLEASE MAIL OR FAX TO:

Randee Mansfield, TreasurerAllergists for Israel

2121 Wyoming Ave., El Paso, TX 79903PHONE 915-544-2557 • FAX 915-544-1817

Your 2015membership

pledge isappreciated

for thecontinuationof our work!