Dr. Tiffany Schatz, a Philadelphia-born cardiothoracic surgeon, moved her family from the United States to Israel this past April to join the surgical team at Soroka Medical Center, driven by a desire to support the country following the October 7 attack.
Schatz, who originally studied medicine in Israel before returning to the US for specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery, said the events of October 7 fundamentally changed her perspective on where she needed to be.
Dr. Tiffany Schatz
(Video: Lior Sharon)
"After October 7th, I really felt the pull to come to Israel to be a part of supporting the people, the country and even Soroka especially," Schatz said in an interview.
The surgeon had maintained a connection to Soroka since her medical training years, when she and her husband lived in Beersheba. Though the couple had long considered immigrating to Israel, they hadn't viewed it as practical until last fall's attack.
"It was something unfathomable. Could this ever really happen? How could human beings behave this way toward other human beings?" Schatz said of October 7. She described being struck by the sudden wave of casualties that overwhelmed hospital staff and the heroic response of Israeli medical teams.
Schatz joined Soroka's thoracic surgery department, focusing primarily on lung cancer procedures. She works under Dr. Yael Raffaelli and said she looks forward to helping grow the department and train residents.
Moving a family of five to Israel during wartime required full support from her household. Schatz said her three children were enthusiastic about the adventure, with her daughter particularly excited about the move.
The family experienced the reality of their decision firsthand when Iranian missiles struck Soroka Hospital in June. Schatz said they could see smoke rising from the hospital from their apartment near the medical center.
"It was a little eerie with the quiet of everyone at home and seeing that happen," she said. But rather than causing regret, the attack reinforced her conviction. "It felt that certainly we made the right decision to be here and support Israel at this time."
Schatz emphasized that the timing of their immigration, despite the ongoing conflict, felt necessary. "If not now, then when? We have to stand behind Israel. We have to stand with Israel and there's no question about it," she said.
For other Jewish families abroad considering immigration to Israel, Schatz offered an optimistic message despite the challenging circumstances.
"The biggest thing is that there is a future here and that there is a lot of good to being here in Israel," she said. "The intangibles far outweigh any misgivings of making aliyah."
Schatz acknowledged that life in Israel differs from what immigrants leave behind in their countries of origin, but said the non-material benefits make the transition worthwhile.
The surgeon's move reflects a broader pattern of Jewish immigration to Israel continuing despite security concerns, with some families viewing times of crisis as particularly important moments to demonstrate solidarity with the Jewish state.
Soroka Medical Center, located in southern Israel near the Gaza border, has played a critical role in treating casualties from the ongoing conflict. The hospital's proximity to conflict zones has made it both a crucial medical facility and, at times, a target itself.