Our Story
AJMA was founded in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, when Jewish healthcare professionals across the country began experiencing something many never expected to encounter in their workplaces, training programs, professional associations, and academic institutions: antisemitism, exclusion, intimidation, and isolation.
As reports emerged from hospitals, medical schools, healthcare systems, and professional organizations, a troubling reality became clear. While there were many outstanding Jewish organizations serving broader community needs, there was no national organization dedicated specifically to supporting Jewish healthcare professionals.
Dr. Yael Halaas, President & Founder
For Dr. Yael Halaas, a facial plastic surgeon, educator, and leader in organized medicine, this gap was impossible to ignore.
Colleagues, students, trainees, and healthcare leaders were reaching out, looking for guidance, support, community, and a professional voice that understood the unique challenges emerging within healthcare.
The need was immediate, and the infrastructure simply did not exist.
What began as conversations among concerned colleagues quickly evolved into a national movement. Physicians, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, researchers, healthcare administrators, students, trainees, and allies came together around a shared belief: healthcare should be a place where professionalism, respect, and patient care come before politics, discrimination, and division.
From that realization, AJMA was born.
In its earliest days, AJMA focused on addressing the growing challenges of antisemitism in healthcare and providing support to those navigating difficult circumstances. But as the organization grew, so did its vision. Members were looking not only for advocacy and support - they were looking for connection, mentorship, leadership opportunities, professional development, and a sense of belonging within a community that shared their values and experiences.
Today, AJMA is both an advocate and a professional home. We are building a vibrant national community that brings together healthcare professionals across disciplines, career stages, and geographies. Through education, mentorship, networking, leadership development, research, advocacy, and community-building, AJMA is strengthening the future of Jewish healthcare while fostering meaningful connections among those who care deeply about medicine, service, and the Jewish community.
Our story is still being written. What began as a response to a moment of crisis has evolved into a movement focused not only on confronting challenges, but on building community, cultivating leadership, and creating a lasting sense of belonging for Jewish healthcare professionals for generations to come.
While much has been accomplished in a short period of time, our work is only beginning.
Our Vision
We envision a healthcare system where every individual, regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, or background, is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
We believe healthcare should be guided by professionalism, evidence, ethics, and a commitment to patient care above politics and division. We envision medical schools, hospitals, professional associations, research institutions, and healthcare workplaces where Jewish healthcare professionals, students, trainees, patients, and families can fully participate without fear of discrimination or exclusion.
Through education, advocacy, research, leadership development, and community building, AJMA is working to create a stronger, more inclusive healthcare environment for current and future generations.
What We've Built Together
In just two and a half years, AJMA has grown from a small grassroots initiative into a national organization representing more than 3,000 members and supporters across the healthcare community.
Together, we have:
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Built a national network of physicians, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, researchers, healthcare administrators, students, trainees, and allies.
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Supported healthcare professionals, students, and patients facing antisemitism, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in healthcare and academic settings.
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Established partnerships with leading organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Jewish Federations of North America, Hadassah, StandWithUs, and other national and local partners.
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Developed educational programs and curriculum focused on antisemitism in healthcare, professionalism, patient care, and institutional culture.
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Launched mentorship, student engagement, chapter development, and professional networking initiatives that strengthen community and leadership development.
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Conducted research and contributed to national conversations on antisemitism, discrimination, professionalism, and healthcare culture.
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Provided testimony before Congress and engaged policymakers, healthcare leaders, academic institutions, and professional associations on issues affecting Jewish healthcare professionals and patients.
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Helped healthcare professionals and trainees better understand their rights and responsibilities through educational initiatives focused on discrimination protections, religious accommodations, professionalism standards, dress code policies, and navigating challenging workplace and academic environments.
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Expanded local chapters and community engagement efforts across the United States.
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Presented at hospitals, medical schools, healthcare systems, conferences, and professional organizations across the country.
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Created a trusted national voice dedicated to ensuring that healthcare remains a profession defined by excellence, ethics, inclusion, and patient-centered care.
None of this would have been possible without the commitment of our members, volunteers, professional team, donors, partners, and supporters. Together, we have built something that did not exist before—and together, we will continue building the future of Jewish healthcare leadership.