‘This gift reflects…’: Why WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum is now donating $200 million to a Jerusalem hospital

WhatsApp co-founder and former CEO Jan Koum caused an uproar when she donated $200 million to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, the largest single donation ever to an Israeli hospital. While Qom is known for his past charitable acts towards Jewish causes, this act took on significance during the 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 donated by Shmuel and Anat Harlap to Rabin Medical Center (Belinson Hospital) in August 2025 to build the “Tower of Hope.”

Where will the money go?

The foundation was founded by WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum. The donation follows months of strategic discussions between Shaare Zedek leadership and the foundation, the hospital said.The hospital will officially be renamed Koum Shaare Zedek Medical Center.The 24-story building will have more than 1.5 million square feet and include new surgical and urgent care facilities. The project is in advanced planning stages and has received approval from the Israeli government and the Jerusalem Municipality, the hospital said.“This is truly a special moment in the 124-year history of Shaare Zedek Medical Centre,” said Professor Jonathan Halevy, Chairman of Shaare Zedek. “This record-breaking donation from the Koom Family Foundation reflects great confidence in our hospital, our employees, the city of Jerusalem, the nation of Israel, and a heartfelt embrace of Zionism.”The Koom Family Foundation donated $50 million to Soroka Medical Center last year after it was attacked by an Iranian ballistic missile in June 2025.

American Jewish billionaire doesn’t like to be called “entrepreneur”

Koum was born in Kiev to a Jewish family and moved to the United States when he was 16. Koom has donated to many Israeli causes: $600,000 to the Maccabi Working Group, $6 million to the Friends of David, and $175,000 to the Central Fund for Israel. During the 2022 Democratic primary, he donated $2 million to AIPAC. Koum has also given to two universities: $1 million to Fordham University and $41 million to Stanford University. At one point he said he didn’t like to be called an entrepreneur, because an entrepreneur wants to make money, but he wants to make useful products.