Spotlight on: Irving Matlow
For many years, my late wife, Esther, and I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with you to give the Shamir Medical Center’s patients hope and light,” says Irving Matlow in an interview in which he also talks about his volunteer service as a Canadian soldier in Israel’s War of Independence, a life of Zionism, and saving lives.
Last November, the third advanced OR was inaugurated at the Esther Matlow Ophthalmic Unit.
Who is the Matlow family?
“I was born in Toronto in 1927. My parents came to Canada after the First World War from the town of Prozhna in Belarus. My grandfather and parents – Goldie and Archie Matlow z”l, were devout Zionists, who believed that Jewish continuity could only be realized in the sovereign state of Israel. Being practical, they also taught us that while living in Canada, commitment to the Jewish state is imperative.
My mother was a strong woman, who regularly spoke about the importance of the Zionist vision and donated to the Ha'aguda Lema'an Hachayal (Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers). My father ran a successful textile retail business.”
“In 1948, as a 21-year-old university student, I volunteered together with a group of Canadians to secretly come to Israel and help the young State of Israel defend itself against the invasion of Arab armies.” Matlow wrote about his experiences with the Israel Defense Forces in a novel titled At the Family Table, published in 2018. “It’s a success story that we were a part of,” he says.
One October day, Matlow’s platoon came under attack and Matlow’s quick call for help on the radio saved the life of his American commander, Norman Schutzman. Unfortunately, Lt. Zachariah “Iya” Feldman was killed in that incident. Matlow is also credited with saving the lives of several members of his platoon during the fighting at Sassa Junction in October 1948, as part of Operation Hiram.
“I think a number of lives were saved and that makes me very proud of my participation,” Matlow said.
“In 1955, my parents made aliya to Israel and lived in Ramat Gan. Throughout their lives, my parents contributed to the Zionist project; my mother was active in the pioneer houses together with Beba Idelson; I opened the Toronto branch of the Ha'aguda Lema'an Hachayal and, for 15 years, headed the local chapter. Esther z”l and I provided our children with a Jewish education, and they, in turn, do the same with their own children. We were especially proud of their commitment to Judaism and the Hebrew language.”
The couple had four children: Anne, Ruth, Elaine (Ayala), and David. Elaine made aliya and resides in Jerusalem, while the others live in Canada.
How was the relationship between the Matlow family and the Shamir Medical Center born?
"My late wife, Esther, was active in Hadassah WIZO Canada and served as president of the organization in 1990-1993. When she concluded her term in office, the organization decided to honor her by dedicating one of its leading projects to her – and Shamir Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Department was chosen for this purpose. We have always felt a responsibility for this department, as it bears her name.
“Over the years, a warm and close relationship evolved with the department’s managers – Dr. Avni and later Dr. Eran Peres.”
Does the connection with the Ophthalmology Department and Dr. Peres continue – and how?
“Our close connection with the department is a warm and continuous relationship. Shamir’s management and Dr. Peres regularly update us on the department’s endeavors, and we, on our part, have always been happy to help. The donation of the third operating room in 2021 was our largest donation to the department to date and this gives our family great satisfaction and delight, to see the Esther Matlow Ophthalmology Department develop and grow to become one of Israel’s leading ophthalmology departments.”
Tell us about the “donor experience” at the Shamir Medical Center, from your personal experience.
The medical center is developing at breakneck speed, just like the State of Israel. Each time I visit Shamir, I am amazed by the pace of change, development, and construction. The population that surrounds the medical center is also growing rapidly. We realize how significant our contribution is to the medical center and its patients, and feel great pride to see our name on the department’s walls; it feels like we have a significant part in the development of both the department and the medical center.
What can you say to other donors who are considering a donation to the Shamir Medical Center?
“Kol Israel arevim zeh lazeh – all Jews are responsible for one another” was the sentence I heard from childhood from my grandfather, my parents, and it is also my legacy to my children: It is our job to do everything we can to help and impact the whole.
More than ever, Israel’s hospitals need philanthropic support and I believe this is one of the most wonderful ways to help and have a positive impact on the whole.”
A few final words...
“For many years, Esther z”l and I had the pleasure and privilege of working with you to give Shamir Medical Center patients hope and light. We feel a part of the amazing team here, which toils to save and correct vision for so many patients every year. It is a great and very exciting privilege for my family and for me. Thank you all for this good light.”