Zoe Reikes from Omaha was nominated in America this week as President of American Friends of Western Galilee Hospital and will work to strengthen the hospital with the association president in Israel, Raya Strauss Ben Dror. Ms. Reikes is was appointed at an event held in Omaha, Nebraska, which was attended by dozens of guests and dignitaries.

The hospital was represented by hospital director, Dr. Massad Barhoum, foreign liaison director, Aya Kipershlak, and the acting director of the Friends organization, Amir Yarhi. Dr. Barhum and Ms. Strauss gave Reikes a parchment scroll signed by prominent religious leaders of the region, and thanked her on behalf of the 500,000 residents of the Western Galilee for her efforts on behalf of the hospital.

The special letter was signed by Rabbi Meitlis, Chief Rabbi of Nahariya, Archbishop Elias Shakur, archbishop of the Greek Orthodox community, and Sheikh Samir Aasi, imam of the Al-Jazzar mosque in Acco. Hospital director Dr. Barhum said, "The widespread support for the hospital by the religious leaders of the region proves beyond a doubt that the Western Galilee Hospital serves the entire regional population and is extremely important to its residents.

The hospital's American friends will be working with the hospital's friends in Israel to strengthen and support the hospital so we can continue to develop our health services for the regional community."