WhatsApp billionaire Jan Koum donates $200 million to Jerusalem hospital Shaare Zedek

A Landmark Gift for Israeli Healthcare

Jan Koum, the co-founder of WhatsApp, has made a historic $200 million donation to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem through his Koum Family Foundation. This is the largest single donation in Israeli healthcare history, surpassing the previous record of $180 million by Shmuel and Anat Harlap to Rabin Medical Center in 2025.

Renaming and Expansion Plans

In recognition of this transformative gift, the hospital will be renamed the Koum Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The funds are primarily earmarked for a massive expansion project that will triple the hospital's physical footprint and patient capacity.

A New 24-Story Medical Tower

The centerpiece of the expansion is a 24-story tower encompassing over 1.5 million square feet. This facility will house new surgical suites, advanced emergency care facilities, and state-of-the-art medical technologies, making it the largest and most advanced medical building in Israel, according to the hospital.

Addressing Staff Housing and Capacity

The donation also includes provisions for on-site staff housing, a key concern in Jerusalem's expensive real estate market. The expansion is expected to scale the current 1,000-bed capacity significantly, helping alleviate overcrowding in Jerusalem's largest medical center.

Design and Planning Progress

The tower is being designed by Mochly-Eldar Architects, with Margolin Bros. Engineering and Consulting serving as project manager. The hospital announced that plans are in advanced stages and moving through Jerusalem's planning authorities.

Jan Koum's Philanthropic Journey

Koum, who made his fortune from the $19 billion sale of WhatsApp to Facebook, has increasingly focused on Jewish causes. His philanthropy includes earlier undisclosed donations totaling $25 million to Shaare Zedek for pediatrics facilities, as well as substantial support for Jewish organizations aiding Ukraine after the 2022 Russian invasion. This new $200 million gift cements his legacy as one of the most significant benefactors of Israeli healthcare.