Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope:
Supporting the Mental Well-Being of our Israeli Dental Community

Dear Friends,

We hope you and your loved ones had a meaningful Yom Kippur and its message of reflection and renewal continues to inspire you in the days ahead. Yom Kippur reminds us that we all have the power to create renewal — not only within ourselves, but also in the ways we care for others.

In that same spirit, this past Sunday, the Alpha Omega International Alliance of Charitable Organizations and the Alpha Omega International Dental Society hosted a program to launch the Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope, an initiative dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of the Israeli dental community. We were delighted to see so many familiar faces in attendance. 

If you were unable to attend the event, you can watch the full recording by clicking here.

The launch brought together members of the Alpha Omega family and friends from beyond the dental field. Our hosts — Dr. Eldad Helft, Dr. Laurie Gordon-Shaw, and Dr. Michael Spektor — together with guest speaker Yotam Dagan, a clinical psychologist, shared powerful insights into how deeply Israelis’ lives have been affected, and how much strength it takes to continue forward.

Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh — All of Israel is responsible for one another.

In the days following Yom Kippur, we are reminded that our greatest strength lies in compassion and collective action to renew our sense of purpose and responsibility — to care for our Israeli family, those who have given so much and now need our support to heal.

We are the only Jewish dental Society. It’s up to us to take care of our own. Members of our Israeli dental community served as first responders, reservists, and witnessed unimaginable horrors. They need our help now more than ever. 

Together, through your generosity, we can ensure the Israeli dental community will receive the care, therapy, and hope they need to rebuild their lives and continue serving others.

With Gratitude,

Laurie Gordon-Shaw

Co-Chair

Michael Spektor

Co-Chair

We invite you to make a heartfelt gift by selecting your preferred country of support.

Learning and Friendship in Dentistry

Dr. Mark Wolff, Morton Amsterdam Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and dental students.

    Dental School Exchange Program Students

Dr. Marc Rothman & Dr. Mark Wolff share challah with dental students.

On Friday, September 12, Marc Rothamn (Chair of the AO US Dental Foundation) and his wife Bobbie graciously hosted a Shabbat dinner at their home to welcome Alpha Omega Philadelphia members and visiting students from the Hebrew University–Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine at Tel Aviv University.

These students are participating in an exchange program organized by the two Israeli dental schools to visit the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry.

The program offers students valuable observational experiences in dental departments, research laboratories, and academic seminars. It aims to foster academic collaboration, student mobility, and cultural exchange through informal interactions with peers from the host universities.

The Alpha Omega U.S. Dental Foundation is pleased to have helped cover some of the travel expenses for several students through generous donations to the US Foundation Tribute Program.

Join the Alpha Omega International Alliance of Charitable Organizations at the AO Convention for an evening that blends culture, tradition, and community on Saturday, December 27th at Holocaust Museum & Cohen Educational Center, Naples.

Enjoy light refreshments and explore the museum’s exhibits beginning at 5:00 PM, followed by a Havdalah service at 5:45 PM.

We’ll welcome Dr. Sharon Perlmutter, as International President, and thank Dr. Eldad Helft for his dedicated leadership. The program will also highlight the Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope initiative and feature a speaker who will tell their story of resilience and hope.

The evening will conclude by 7:00 pm.

All proceeds from this event will support the Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope program.

NATAN Worldwide Relief Organization is seeking dentists to provide medical services to Syrians near the Israeli border, many of whom have not had access to proper medical or dental care for over a decade.

While NATAN has the blessing of the IDF, only volunteers without an Israeli passport are permitted to cross the border. Despite this constraint, NATAN currently has some volunteers from the US and France, but not enough.

Volunteers cover their own travel expenses to Israel; NATAN handles all other arrangements. Anyone interested can contact anat.b@natanrelief.org directly.

Magen David Adom invites doctors and medical professionals from around the world to take part in five
exciting and meaningful days of professional lectures and emergency medical training from some of the
world's most experienced first responder medical teams.

Registration details:

For more information please contact: vickia@mda.org.il or your local MDA Friends Society.

The Alpha Omega US Dental Foundation continues to support meaningful initiatives that bring our communities closer in the United States and Israel. Each tribute you purchase does more than honor someone - it directly funds meaningful programs that touch lives.

How your tribute donations have made an impact:

Honor someone special, commemorate a milestone, or express your gratitude by purchasing a tribute today. Together, we can continue to uplift dental students, faculty, and our global community.

Click here to send a tribute.

Mazal Tov to AO Members Drs. Adam and Ayala Stabholz on celebrating 50 years of marriage.

Their half-century of love, partnership, and devotion is a true blessing and an inspiration to our community. May their journey together continue to be filled with good health, joy, and many more shared simchas.

Mazal Tov to AO Member Fred Simon upon the marriage of his son Harry Simon to Anna Bruns on September 20, 2025!

Mazal Tov to AO Member Alan Heller and his wife Sherri upon the engagement of their daughter Toby Heller to Ben Schor!

On behalf of the Alpha Omega US Dental Foundation, we express our deepest gratitude
for the unwavering support and generous gifts.

Thank you, donors!

Below is a list of gifts received by the Foundation for September 2025

Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope
Supporting the mental well-Being of the Israeli dental community

One Step Forward - $125 to $374

First Signs of Hope - $375 to $1,249

Steady Progress - $1,250 to $3,749

Rebuilding Kibbutz Be'eri

In Memory of Gloria Wurman
Mother of Avi Wurman (PIP), mother-in-law of Dr. Sharon Sussman, and grandmother of Drs. Cory and Ilana Wurman 

Gold

In Honor of Harry Simon upon his marriage, son of frater Fred Simon

Silver

In Memory of Morris Cohen

Silver

A Refuah Shleimah to Marc Herman

Platinum

 Silver: $36.00 | Gold: $72.00 | Platinum: $180.00

Celebrate a friend's birthday by sending a card from the foundation supporting our work, supporting the needs of Israel, and AO US Society Chapters. Click here!

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