“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and celebrate,” said Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, immediate past Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization, quoting from Psalms at the Moving In ceremony of the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower.

It was indeed an occasion to celebrate as the first patients were moved into the new building into the first department to open – the Department of Urology.

It was also a day of gift giving, beginning with presents that were distributed to the patients by Hadassah leaders and representatives of the Davidson family, Emily Reaser, Mrs. Davidson’s daughter, and Jonathan Aaron, Mr. Davidson’s son-in-law.

The highlight of the day was Emily Reaser’s announcement of a matching gift up to $12.5 million to ensure the Davidson Hospital Tower is completed and fully equipped.

Judy Swartz, who serves as Campaign Co-chair with her husband Sidney, chaired the festivities marking the day. “Today we rejoice,” Mrs. Swartz said to the large audience gathered in the impressive Shapell Gateway to Health, the three-story glass enclosed atrium that welcomes people into the new building. “It is appropriate that we open this new building just ten days after Purim,” Mrs. Swartz said, noting that this Purim was the 100th anniversary of the founding of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. On this occasion “surely this magnificent building can be seen as a gift to all mankind; to Jerusalem; to the State of Israel. It will represent pioneering medicine for today and for the future.”

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat took the opportunity to praise the women of Hadassah for their major contribution to Jerusalem throughout the decades. “This is one of the most important buildings in the city,” he said. “Thank you for your dedication and devotion to Hadassah. Thank you for your show of love for the people of Jerusalem.”

After presenting Mayor Barkat with a key to the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower, Hadassah National President Marcie Natan praised “those who envisioned this building from its very inception. This building especially recognizes the very early connection of Karen and the late Bill Davidson, his love for his mother and his love for Israel.”

“Our feet are standing within thy gates, Oh Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city that is bound firmly together,” said HMO Director General Prof. Ehud Kokia. Continuing, he pointed out the special role Hadassah plays in connecting Israel and the Diaspora, the past and the future. “I am grateful to my predecessors who had the vision and the courage to take this enormous mission upon themselves and I am privileged to receive this gift on behalf of the Hadassah Medical Organization. I promise to continue to advance the vision that has guided us for generations.”

Mrs. Natan then took to podium to announce a gift honoring Prof. Mor-Yosef’s 11 years of leadership and his role in the construction of the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower. “The Shlomo Mor-Yosef Prize for Excellence,” will be awarded annually to an outstanding young doctor acknowledging Prof. Mor-Yosef’s commitment to the next generation of physicians.

After Ms. Reaser unveiled the Davidson family inscription at the entrance to the building, Chief Rabbi of Israel, the Rishon Lezion Rabbi Shlomo Amar, and Sidney Swartz concluded the festivities with the affixing of the mezuzah and the appropriate blessings.

It was indeed a day of rejoicing and celebration.