Since I was young, I always knew I wanted to become a physician. With the unwavering support of my husband and parents, I embarked on what would be a most incredible experience- studying medicine at the Technion in Israel.
As I stood at the foot of the steps leading up to the School of Medicine on my first day of medical school, I was filled with trepidation and excitement-not knowing what to expect. Last week, after completing the last day of my clinical studies at Rambam Hospital, I once again stood atop those very same steps. A different person, a changed woman than the one who arrived four years ago.
The greatest lesson I take with me is that of respect, and “achdut,” - camaraderie. This was certainly true of the close-knit and warm atmosphere at the Technion School of Medicine. I loved that I felt as though I was among family. My professors and attendings were genuine, real, and candid. I will miss the quaint and unique dialogues with patients- often times, during an exam. I will miss engaging in delightful games of Jewish geography with Jewish “Bubbies” and “Zaidies” who would beam with joy showing me pictures of their children and grandchildren during follow-up visits. I will miss the myriad of gestures and kindness that others bestowed upon me which epitomize the Israeli mindset of “Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael”-- we may all be different, but we are all family….the time that I had a bit of a coughing spell in my car at a red light, the motorcycle rider that pulled up beside me handed me a water bottle and said “drink up and feel better”….During a routine clinic exam, one of my patients begged me to sit down and relax for a moment, as my pregnancy, she insisted, appeared to be getting closer to the delivery stage….the woman who said she thought I should bundle my kids up because she was cold. There are certainly a plethora of stories- but they all have a common theme. I have grown to see each individual with a greater amount of respect than I ever had. People here are uncannily honest, unassuming, and sincere, and I will miss them.
This letter, and in fact no words, can truly express my heartfelt appreciation to all the people who helped me get to this point in my life. First and foremost, my husband Daniel, who continues to encourage and help me in any way he can – I couldn’t have gotten here without him. Also- my wonderful parents, sisters and my two precious sons - I will be forever grateful for their belief in me, and for being able to keep me grounded, never losing sight of my priorities. I wish to thank all my mentors and friends – from my hometown of Denver, as well as from New York and all the other places I this journey has taken me, whose encouragement and advice has helped me so much over the years. I wish to thank Dr. Levy, all my professors and attendings, as well as the numerous individuals I had the pleasure of working with these past four years at the Technion. You have *all* inspired me. Thank you for the incredible opportunity you have given me.
"לבי במזרח ואני בסוף מעריב"
“My heart is in the east and I am at the farthest west”
- Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, Spanish Physician and Poet (1075-1141)
With Sincere Admiration and Appreciation,
Eliza Moskowitz-Kassai, M.D. (2014)