A New Chapter Begins: Welcoming Prof. Nachman Ash as Chairman to Lead Reuth

We are honored to welcome Professor Nachman Ash as the new Chairman of both the Reuth Association and Reuth Tel Aviv Rehabilitation Hospital. A seasoned leader with decades of experience in public health and national service, Prof. Ash has served as Israel’s Director General of the Ministry of Health, Chief Medical Officer of the IDF, and a key architect of Israel’s national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership comes at a pivotal time as Reuth embarks on a bold new chapter.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment, as Reuth embarks on the development of a new state-of-the-art hospital campus in Tel Aviv. In a time when the country is still grappling with the aftermath of October 7 and the ongoing war on multiple fronts, Prof. Ash’s leadership brings vision and purpose to this vital project. The new campus will offer expanded, modern rehabilitation services for a growing population in need—including civilians and soldiers recovering from trauma, injury, and complex surgeries—while continuing Reuth’s legacy of compassionate, person-centered care.

This transition also marks the end of a significant era of leadership. Ami Arika, who served as Chairman of the Reuth Association for the past six years, led the organization with humility, dedication, and strategic foresight. Under his guidance, Reuth weathered extraordinary challenges and laid the foundation for long-term growth.

“Ami was a partner, mentor and leader for me—with a huge and open heart and deep management experience,” said Reuth CEO Ido Sharir.

“I thank him from the bottom of my heart for years of joint work. I welcome Prof. Nachman Ash and believe that together we will continue to march Reuth toward new horizons of medical excellence, compassion, and innovation.”

Last month, during a moving Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Reuth’s community housing, Prof. Ash shared his personal connection to the Holocaust. In 1943, his grandfather—also named Nachman Ash—his grandmother, and their two children were deported to Auschwitz. On the ramp, his grandfather said goodbye to his son, Prof. Ash’s father, telling him, “I am lost. You may have a chance to stay alive.” Minutes later, the rest of the family was murdered; his father was the sole survivor. Prof. Ash spoke of the pain that endures even 80 years later, while honoring the strength of those who rebuilt the nation. Just four decades after his grandfather was killed at Auschwitz, his grandson would go on to become the Chief Medical Officer of the IDF—a powerful symbol of resilience and continuity.

He also addressed the present: “On this day of remembrance, we also remember the terrible failure of October 7. I call for every effort to be made for the immediate return of the 59 hostages held in Gaza.”

Prof. Ash’s personal history and professional journey embody the resilience, healing, and hope that Reuth stands for. Under his guidance, the hospital is poised to grow not only in size but in impact—ensuring that every patient and family has access to the care and dignity they deserve.