Mr Sam Smorgon AO OBM, was a renowned businessman, an extraordinarily generous philanthropist and great friend and supporter of AUSiMED. As a philanthropist Sam gave freely of his time and energy in addition to providing financial support to a wide variety of Jewish and general community causes including serving as Chancellor of RMIT and being the number 1 male ticketholder at Carlton Football Club for many years.
Thanks to the unparalleled generosity and commitment of Sam and Minnie Smorgon and their family, AUSiMED has supported the Goshen Project in Israel since 2014. Goshen is working to ensure optimal development and wellbeing of children and families by transforming the delivery of paediatric healthcare in Israel — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Over six years, AUSiMED has supported the establishment of Goshen programs in Israel, Fellowships for two Israeli paediatricians to receive training in Community Paediatrics with Prof Frank Oberklaid at the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital and the expansion of Goshen’s programs in disadvantaged communities in the Negev and in northern Israel.
Sam Smorgon’s life-time commitment to Israel and to looking after disadvantaged children will have an enduring impact on Israel’s future.