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Helena Kagan

KAGAN, HELENA (1889–1978), physician and social worker. Kagan was born in Turkestan and received her medical education in Switzerland. In 1916 she founded the first children's hospital in Jerusalem, and from 1923 until 1943 was medical director of the Spafford Baby Home for Arab Children in the Old City of Jerusalem. After the establishment of the State she was associated with the Bikkur Ḥolim and Hadassah hospitals, and was prominently associated with WIZO and the Hebrew University. In 1958 she was awarded the Freedom of the City of Jerusalem for her outstanding services and in 1975 was awarded the Israel Prize.


Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.