The Maimonides Society has been at the forefront of Jewish philanthropy, social action and education for members of the healthcare profession since its inception in 1985. The society was developed to foster a sense of common purpose and commitment among healthcare professionals to work towards the betterment of Jews wherever they may be.

In addition to contributing financially to the JFLV annual campaign, members serve the local community by providing free medical care to those in need. Our Visiting Physicians Program has provided Israeli physicians the opportunity to come to the Lehigh Valley and learn valuable procedures while at the same time benefiting our community members with valuable collegial and social exchange.

Unique to the healthcare division within the Annual Campaign, the Maimonides Society is able to direct 5% of the total healthcare funds raised annually. These funds enable us to allocate our dollars to special projects. Such projects include the provision of  computer equipment for the medical library at Western Galilee Hospital, providing funds to for needed medical support in Kiev, Ukraine, contributing toward the purchase of a medical vehicle to reach Jews in need and much more. 

We are also proud to provide our community with an annual directory of Maimonides Society members, a convenient and comprehensive resource, with members listed by specialty. The directory also provides a cross-referenced alphabetical index by doctor's name.

The Maimonides Society was pleased to host Judith Jochnowitz, International Liason for the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, Israel. During her visit, Jochnowitz met with Maimonides physicians at the home of Dr. Jeff Gevirtz for a private briefing. She also addressed audiences of Emergency and Trauma healthcare providers and security personnel at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem and Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. Jochnowitz’s hospital presentations focused on emergency preparedness, mass casualty response and the Emergency Response Group course offered by WGH for CME credit. For more information about the CME credit course in Israel, please contact Judy Diamondstein, Director of Development.

This year, the Maimonides Society will host Drs. Moshe and Naomi Kofman from our Partnership 2000 community in Israel, the Yoav Region. Dr. Moshe Kofman is a family practitioner and his wife, Dr. Naomi Kofman, is an ob/gyn. Dr. Moshe currently works in five rural clinics in the Yoav area, as well as on the staff of Ben Gurion University Medical Department. Dr. Naomi will only be with us for the first week of Dr. Moshe’s three week visit, beginning Sunday, March 15th. Dr. Jeffrey Gevirtz is coordinating an academic rotation for each physician, filling their days observing and interacting with members of our medical community. Dr. Debbie Kimmel is coordinating their social schedule. As is the traidion of the program, social interaction opporuntities are not limited to members of the medical community. If you are interested in meeting the Kofmans, kindly contact Judy Diamondstein.

Dr. Robert Wilson, Maimonides Society President
Judy Diamondstein, Director of Development

Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
(formerly “Jewish Federation of Allentown”)

Year                PRESIDENT
1985-86           Doug Blake
1986-87           Gene Ginsberg
1987-88           Gene Ginsberg
1988-89           Gene Ginsberg
1989-90           Gene Ginsberg
1990-91           Michael Ufberg
1991-92           Lawrence Levitt
1992-93           Lawrence Levitt
1993-94           Steve Klasko
1994-95           Steve Klasko
1996-97           Stuart Schwartz
1998-2004        Jeffrey Gevirtz
2004-2006        Marc Berson
2006-2007        Neil Belman
2007-               Robert Wilson