WhatsApp co-founder and former CEO Jan Koum has caused a stir by donating $200 million to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, the largest donation ever given to an Israeli hospital. While Qom is known for its past philanthropic work for Jewish causes, this one is significant because it came amid conflict. “This gift reflects our confidence in the future of medical innovation and research that will benefit patients in Israel and around the world,” Koum said in a statement.This donation exceeds the $180 million donation given to Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Hospital) by Samuel and Anat Harlap in August 2025 for the construction of the “Tower of Hope”.
Where will the money go?
This foundation was founded by WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum. The hospital said the donation followed months of strategic discussions between Shaare Zedek’s leadership and the foundation.The hospital will be officially renamed Koum Shaare Zedek Medical Center.The 24-story building will span more than 1.5 million square feet, including new surgical and emergency care facilities. The hospital said the project was in advanced planning stages and had been approved by the Israeli government and the Jerusalem Municipality.“This is truly a special moment in the 124-year-old history of Shaare Zedek Medical Center,” said Professor Jonathan Halevy, President of Shaare Zedek. “This record donation by The Koum Family Foundation reflects remarkable confidence in our hospital, our staff, the city of Jerusalem, the State of Israel and our heartfelt embrace of Zionism.”The donation follows a $50 million gift last year by The Koum Family Foundation to Soroka Medical Center after it was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile in June 2025.
The American-Jewish billionaire who doesn’t like being called an ‘entrepreneur’
Koum was born in Kiev to a Jewish family and moved to the United States at the age of 16. Koum has donated to several Israeli causes: $600,000 to the Maccabi Task Force, $6 million to Friends of Ir David, and $175,000 to Israel’s Central Fund. In 2022, he donated $2 million to AIPAC during the Democratic Party primaries. Koum has also donated to two universities: $1 million to Fordham and $41 million to Stanford. He once said that he does not like being called an entrepreneur because entrepreneurs want to make money but he wants to create useful products.