10 Things You Didn't Know About the Yuri Stern Holistic Center for Cancer Patients

1. The Yuri Shtern Holistic  Center was established in 2007 in memory of Member of Knesset Yuri Shtern, who passed away from cancer. The center was founded by his widow, Lena Shtern, along with his family and friends.

2. Since its inception, we have treated, accompanied, and supported tens of thousands of individuals facing cancer.

3. Holistic therapies (Mind-Body treatments) significantly alleviate the side effects of conventional cancer treatments, strengthen the patients' natural healing abilities, improve their quality of life, and create a supportive, inclusive community for them.

4. Treatments for cancer patients are provided free of charge at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center (within the Helmsley Cancer Center, the Hematology Department, and the Wilf Children's Hospital). They are also available for a symbolic fee at the center’s community clinics in Jerusalem and Herzliya.

5. The Center fulfills its vision of providing complementary medicine to cancer patients from all sectors of society, regardless of religion, race, gender, or socio-economic status. Our therapists support patients and their families through all stages of the illness and throughout the entire journey of coping with the disease.

6. Since October 2023, the Yuri Shtern Center—through its dedicated network of volunteers—has been providing treatments to those affected by the ongoing war. This includes displaced residents, soldiers, the wounded, victims of Iranian missile attacks, and survivors of the events of October 7th. To date, over 4,000 touch-therapy treatments have been provided to those coping with national trauma.

7. Currently, the Center operates two specialized projects for national trauma:

• The Amit Mann Holistic Mobile Unit.
• The Touch-Therapy Project for reservists, security forces, and their families, in collaboration with the Silber Resilience Center at Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

8. All treatments—for both cancer patients and those facing national trauma—are provided by a highly experienced team of volunteer therapists. These professionals donate their energy, time, and rich expertise to benefit the community and Israeli society. The Center prepares its volunteers through a unique, specialized training course designed for oncology and national trauma care, while providing ongoing guidance and support throughout their service. 

9. In 2025, 182 volunteers of the Yuri Shtern Holistic Support Center provided nearly 15,000 treatments to cancer patients, their families, and those coping with national trauma.

10. The Yuri Shtern Holistic Support Center (R.A 580475085) is a non-profit organization that operates solely on donations and public support.