When crisis became a catalyst: Two medical students build a mission for Israel
Inside the student-led initiative reconnecting Israel’s medical community with the world.
October 7th drew a hard line in the sand for Israeli medical students and physicians. As the Jewish nation fought to regain its footing, much of the world turned away— even from the scientific partnerships that have long powered global medical progress. This came as a bitter shock, especially given Israel’s longstanding leadership in medical and biotechnological innovation, from cancer immunotherapies and gene-editing technologies to implantable devices and novel pharmaceuticals.
In this moment of uncertainty, one American organization stepped forward with clarity and purpose: JOWMA — the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association. A non-profit JOWMA supports the next generation of Jewish women physicians and provides trusted health education across the Orthodox community. Its network of more than 800 Jewish women physicians has become a bridge between community needs and the broader medical establishment in the U.S. and beyond.
After October 7th, JOWMA expanded its mission to Israel, in conjunction with Birthright, and open to both men and women, sending specialist physicians to support strained hospital systems and delivering trauma training to Israeli civilians, physicians, and IDF units. Today, JOWMA is deeply committed to strengthening long-term medical and research collaboration between American and Israeli healthcare professionals.
It was this shared commitment to innovation and resilience that made JOWMA a natural partner for a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by Israeli medical students: The MinDset × JOWMA MindStart Hackathon.
We are proud to announce that recruitment is now open for the 2026 JOWMA × MinDset Medical Mission to Israel, taking place in June 2026.
How the Hackathon Began
When Garrick and I first met—two medical students, one in New York and one in Tel Aviv—we never imagined that a late-night conversation would grow into something real. Between exams, rotations, and life on both sides of the ocean, we began sketching a vision for an international, student-driven medical innovation competition. What emerged was the first 72-hour medical innovation hackathon of its kind: The MindStart Hackathon.
A hackathon is a concentrated burst of collaboration—where participants merge diverse backgrounds to build solutions to real-world problems, often producing a working prototype within days. The concept embodies the spirit of Israeli innovation: agility, resourcefulness, and the relentless pursuit of ideas that change lives.
Traditionally, hackathons are dominated by engineers and programmers, with medical students forming only a small fraction of the participants. MinDset challenged that assumption. We knew—and wanted to prove—that Israeli medical students, many of whom bring rich technical experience from their military service, possess the creativity and skills to design transformative technologies themselves.
Bringing this vision to life required global partnership. That’s why JOWMA’s involvement was pivotal. Together, we built an event that united companies, hospitals, and medical faculties across Israel and the United States. No event of this nature had ever taken place in Israel—and certainly not with such large-scale American participation.
The Hackathon: Where Two Medical Worlds Met
With JOWMA’s support, an American delegation of thirty medical students, residents, fellows, and attendings flew to Israel for an eight-day mission centered around the Hackathon. They landed in Tel Aviv only hours after the competition began and immediately immersed themselves in their teams.
Over three intense days, participants worked to identify true clinical challenges, ideate solutions, prototype them, and pitch to a panel of leading physicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The synergy was extraordinary: Israelis brought firsthand experience in innovation and military-born technical skill; Americans contributed deep understanding of the world’s largest healthcare market.
The results spoke volumes. Israeli teams secured first and second place, with an American team earning third. The competition didn’t end at the podium—afterward, the American delegation collaborated with their Israeli counterparts at Ichilov Hospital, forging professional relationships and laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
Then, just as the delegation prepared to leave, the ceasefire broke.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, our participants navigated a diverted evacuation by boat to Cyprus, a rerouted flight through Europe, and a difficult return home. And yet, when they landed, they spoke not of fear—but of purpose.
As one participant shared:
“It was the perfect way to reconnect with Israel, deepen my sense of mission, and prepare for the next chapter of my medical career.”
The Mission Continues — June 2026
The Hackathon became more than a competition—it became the foundation of an international medical community committed to innovation, solidarity, and shared values. And now, as Israel continues its long road to rebuilding, we are ready to take the next step.
This mission will bring American medical students to Israel for an immersive experience that combines innovation, clinical exposure, and meaningful connection with Israeli peers and physicians. Participants will join a growing network dedicated to strengthening ties between the Israeli and American medical ecosystems.
To American medical students who believe in creativity, collaboration, and standing with Israel in its moment of need: We invite you to join us.
Help us build the next chapter—together.
Visit www.JOWMA.org or complete the Medical Mission Application Form to sign up.
Tamar Marmorstein, MD
Director of Partnerships, JOWMA
Anesthesiology resident, Maimonides Medical Center
Garrick Hoichman, B.Med.Sc
CMO of MinDset
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
About JOWMA: The Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA) is a 501c3 trusted public health organization in the Orthodox Jewish community. JOWMA supports the next generation of Jewish women physicians and provides free health education to the Orthodox Jewish community. JOWMA serves as a unique resource and liaison between the community and healthcare stakeholders from government, medicine, and the public health establishment throughout the United States and beyond and is supported by a network of >800 Jewish women physician volunteers including specialists in nearly every field of medicine. After October 7th, the JOWMA medical mission to Israel brought top specialist physicians in the U.S. to fill the gaps in routine and critical medical care as a result of the war, and supported medical trauma training to Israeli physicians, IDF, and civilians. The mission now supports medical and research collaboration between Israeli and U.S. physicians, students, and institutions.
About MinDset: MinDset serves as the International Center for Innovation, Leadership, and Research for Israeli medical students. Within its framework operates the Journal of Israeli Medical Students (JIMS), a distinguished scientific publication showcasing cutting-edge research conducted by leading Israeli medical students globally.