Or-Ahayim Balat Jewish Hospital
The story of Balat Or-Ahayim Hospital, a charitable institution with a history spanning over a century from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic, is one of solidarity and sacrifice. It traces back to the late 1800s, when a group of young individuals dedicated themselves to providing medical assistance to patients in need within their homes, continuing this mission to the present day…
Or- Ahayim Hospital, which means “Light of Life” was founded in 1898 as a small health centre with the contributions of idealistic doctors and philanthropists by decree of Sultan Abdülhamid II.
The father of the idea and president of the founders is Dr. Captain Rafael Dalmediko, other founding members are Dr. Avramino dö Kastro, Abraham Gerson, Admiral Dr. Izak Molho Pasha, Jakob Habib, Jozef Halfon, Robert Levi, Yuda Levi Kebabpçıoğlu, Samuel Rizo, Elia Suhami Rafael Levi, Dr. Izidor Grayver Pasha, Dr.Eliyas Kohen Pasha.
One of the doctors who played an important role in the history of the hospital was Dr. Samuel Abravaya Marmaralı, who was also Atatürk’s physician. Marmaralı taught at the Haydarpaşa Medical Faculty, where he graduated, for 25 years, served as a member of the Ottoman Supreme Health Council for 15 years, which he was appointed after the declaration of the 2nd Constitutional Era, was elected as an in independent deputy from Niğde in the 4th and 5th terms of the Turkish Republic of Turkey, and served the Or-Ahayim Hospital for 40 years.
The foundation of Or-Ahayim Hospital was laid with 11.000 gold coins collected through various activities such as donation boxes distributed to homes, appeals for aid abroad, balls, plays and the sale of badges on the streets. The construction of the hospital, designed by architect Gabriel Tedechi, was completed in two years.
Or-Ahayim has witnessed two world wars, the Balkan War, the occupation of Istanbul, and various migrations. During Worlds War I in 1914, the hospital allocated its initial 30 beds and then an additional 40-bed quarantine unit to the Red Crescent ( Hilal-i Ahmer) for the care of wounded soldiers. The hospital staff were awarded an honorary medal by the Red Crescent for their outstanding efforts. In 1921, it hosted migrants from Russia, and in 1934, it welcomed migrants from Poland.
The second significant milestone in the history of Or-Ahayim Hospital occurred in the 1920s. On this date, Baghdad businessman Sir Elllie Kadoorie appeared on the scene and made a large donation to the hospital. Whit this donation, 3 large buildings were constructed on the hospital grounds and from then on, the face of Or-Ahayim changed completely. From this point onward, real and modern hospitalisation begins. Two of the buildings constructed with Sir Kadoorie’s donation are still in use today. The third building was restored in 2004 to be replaced with a new one.
A recent example of a milestone in the hospital’s history is the construction of a new building in place of the one demolished in 2004. This new facility opened in 2005 as the Alegra Torel Geriatrics Unit, marking a significant development. This section, which includes 30 rooms, 50 beds, an Our patient Department, an Emergency Department, and a laboratory, is equipped with modern medical devices.
In summary, the donations collected over time, including Sultan Abdulhamid II’s contributions of bread and meat, were utilized step by step with a profound love for humanity and a deep belief in serving it. Every effort was meticulously woven like lace, leading to what we see today, as over a century’s worth of dedication steadily built upon itself.
A parable in the Talmud tells the story of an elderly man who plants a tree in his garden all alone. The monarch passing by asks the old man, with a mocking expression, how he expects to taste the fruit of the tree that will bear fruit in 70 years. The old man points to the other trees around him and responds: “My ancestors worked hard so that I could eat the fruit of these trees. Now it is my turn to strive, so that future generations can benefit from them.”
The Private Balat Hospital is no different from the tree mentioned above. Those who established our institution a century ago, those who have kept it alive over the years, and those who are now preparing and advancing it for the future are no different from the wise elder described in the Talmud. To summarize, being part of Or-Ahayim means keeping alive a tradition, a ritual. It means seeing the distant future and being prepared to be the unrecognized heroes for the generations to come.”
Interfaith Service
The hospital, which has established its own management tradition, continues its existence through the dedicated, voluntary, and selfless efforts of groups such as the Hospital Committee, Women’s Commission, Youth Branch, and Pink Angels. As a humanitarian organization, Balat Or-Ahayim Hospital spreads healing with an interfaith approach, embracing everyone in need of healthcare in accordance with its founding mission.