Australian of the Year: Businessman Ron Finkel has faith in healing project

When Ron Finkel’s first son was born in Jerusalem in 1981, he realised something special was happening around him.

Ron Finkel.

When Ron Finkel’s first son was born at Hadassah Hospital’s Ein Kerem campus in Jerusalem in 1981, he realised something special was happening around him.

In the hospital, which treats all patients regardless of religion, Mr Finkel saw how medicine could breakdown barriers and connect communities.

“When you’re stripped of your strength, and you’re exposed and in need, it’s a very vulnerable situation to be in,” he said.

“Your humanity is inherently exposed in those situations because you are tested.”

Mr Finkel, 69, has earned a nomination for The Australian’s Australian Of The Year for his groundbreaking work as chair of Project Rozana and as the founding president of Hadassah Australia. The multi-faith program — it has Jewish and Muslim directors on its board — trains Palestinian doctors, nurses and therapists at the Hadassah Hospital, as well as treating critically injured Palestinian children in Israeli hos­pitals, with the long-term mission of helping Palestinians develop medical self-sufficiency.

“It became clear to me that health is a space where bridges to better understanding can be built respectfully,” he said.

“To work together to find paths to make a difference and provide something largely missing in the Middle Eastern region, which is hope.”

Mr Finkel, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017, said he was humbled by the nomination. “It’s a great honour,” he said.

He said an important aspect about Project Rozana was that it allowed Israelis and Palestinians to get to know each other.

“With the absence of knowing the other … narratives, often ­extreme narratives, can take hold,” he said.

Readers are encouraged to nominate their Australian of the Year by sending an email to [e-mail]. The Australian’s Australian of the Year will be announced on Saturday.