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1 year ago
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A New York City plastic surgeon and husband to a Housewife is trying to use his talents to help those who were victims of the Hamas attack or who have faced antisemitism in its wake.
Ira Savetsky is now offering his services - including rhinoplasty costing upwards of $20,000 - completely complimentary to victims of hate crimes or the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
Savetsky, 39, who is married to former Real Housewives of New York star Lizzy Savetsky, experienced the October 7 Hamas attack firsthand. He was with his wife and three young children in Jerusalem, running in and out of bomb shelters during the tragic day.
Upon returning to the US, he decided to contribute by offering his surgical expertise at his Park Avenue office to victims, free of charge.
The initiative gained momentum when he received messages about a Jewish individual, Rafi, who was brutally attacked in the Lower East Side.
'Next thing I knew people were sending me messages about a kid who was beat up on the Lower East Side for being Jewish,' Savetsky told Dailymail.com.
New York City based plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky is offering his services - including rhinoplasty costing upwards of $20,000 - completely complimentary to individuals who are victims of hate crimes or the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7
At his private Park Avenue practice, Savetsky, 39, has since met with a victim of a brutal hate crime in the Lower East Side as well as a survivor of the slaughtering at the Nova music festival
Rafi, who was in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood when someone asked if he was Jewish. When he replied 'yes,' he was viciously attacked by a man who repeatedly punched him in the face.
Suspecting a broken nose, friends of the young man reached out to Savetsky for help. Savetsky met with Rafi and offered any assistance necessary.
Taking to Instagram, he encouraged others to reach out for free plastic or reconstructive surgery if they had experienced a hate crime.
'Rafi, who unfortunately was a victim of a recent anti-Semitic hate crime. I’m grateful I could offer my assistance following this terrible incident,' Savetsky wrote on Instagram. 'If you know someone who has experienced a hate crime and requires plastic or reconstructive surgery, please contact my office. These services will be free.'
In addition to Rafi, Savetsky also extended his services to Natalie Sanandaji, a 28-year-old survivor of the October 7 attack - who ran for her life while getting gunned down by terrorists.
Concerned about the rising anti-Semitism in New York City and around the world, Savetsky expressed a desire to help those with facial trauma resulting from violent incidents.
'With anti-Semitism skyrocketing in New York City and around the world - with increasingly violent protests, the chance of there being more facial trauma is increasing,' Savetsky said.
Concerned about the rising anti-Semitism in New York City and around the world, Savetsky expressed a desire to help those with facial trauma resulting from violent incidents
Rafi, who was in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood when someone asked if he was Jewish. He replied 'yes' before getting viciously attacked by a man who repeatedly punched him in the face
To expand his outreach, Savetsky compiled a team of physicians, including dermatologists and anesthesiologists, all dedicated to aiding the community affected by hate crimes. Noam Kurtis (left) Savetsky (right)
Savetsky's generosity further reached an Israeli woman who, feeling unsafe to travel to Turkey for her scheduled rhinoplasty, was offered the procedure in the US at no cost
Savetsky is open to helping all people - including those who have differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
'I wanted to extend my services to anyone with facial trauma - it would be my pleasure to see them free of charge,' he said.
To expand his outreach, Savetsky compiled a team of physicians, including dermatologists and anesthesiologists, all dedicated to aiding the community affected by hate crimes.
Beyond physical injuries, he addressed concerns such as a college student's request to remove a visible Hebrew tattoo due to safety fears amid increasing anti-Semitic attacks on campuses.
The tattoo read 'chai' - the Hebrew word for 'life.'
'It's sad that it comes to a place where people want to hide their Judaism. We want people to be proud of it but if people are worried about their safety, it's completely understandable,' the doctor said.
Savetsky's generosity further reached an Israeli woman who, feeling unsafe to travel to Turkey for her scheduled rhinoplasty, was offered the procedure in the US at no cost.
Savetsky, who is married to former Real Housewives star Lizzy Savetsky, experienced the October 7 Hamas attack firsthand. He was with his wife and three young children in Jerusalem, running in and out of bomb shelters during the tragic day
Savetsky with his daughter at the March for Israel in Washington, DC
Savetsky and his wife Lizzy, who is also a staunch Israel supporter on social media, have faced extreme backlash and hate for their open support of the country
Despite facing backlash for his and his wife's public support of Israel, Savetsky remains undeterred
A rhinoplasty surgery can last three hours and cost upwards of $20,000.
Savetsky said it's his 'absolute pleasure' to help anyone impacted by hate - including any race, religion or culture.
'It's really an honor for me to do something nice to someone who is suffering or standing up for others,' he told DailyMail.com.
'What it comes down to is that we want to feel like we are doing something and giving back to everyone in our extended family in Israel,' he added.
Savetsky and his wife Lizzy, who is also a staunch Israel supporter on social media, have faced extreme backlash and hate for their open support of the country.
'We both get tons of hate because of Lizzy's activism - they come after my business they write negative reviews, they send nasty messages on social media, they call my office, they harass my staff,' he said.
Despite facing backlash for his and his wife's public support of Israel, Savetsky remains undeterred.
Reflecting on the past and his grandmother's survival of the Holocaust, he emphasized the need to speak out proudly against hate now more than ever.
'At the end of the day this is not the time to be scare or hide who we are, I think about someone like my grandmother who has survived Auschwitz - she didn't survive Auschwitz so we could be quiet in this moment - I want to do anything I can right now to be vocal to be proud,' the plastic surgeon said.
Savetsky is open to helping all people - including those who have differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Savetsky invites open dialogue and stands firm in his commitment to assist anyone impacted by hate crimes, regardless of their background or beliefs
When asked if he was afraid to lose business for standing up for Israel, Savetsky said 'I’m not afraid. I’m so proud of my people and my homeland. I hope my work as a plastic surgeon speaks for itself and I’m happy to see any patient who comes my way'
He invites open dialogue and stands firm in his commitment to assist anyone impacted by hate crimes, regardless of their background or beliefs.
'Anyone that's a victim of a hate crime, it's a terrible thing - I would never turn anyone away,' he said. 'We are all part of humanity - when you show kindness, hopefully people understand and will show kindness back to us.
'It's important to have dialogue because we are often stuck in our own echo chamber and in our algorithm on social media - It's hard to see the other side but it's important to see what the other people are seeing and hearing.
'What's happening is a tragedy for innocent Palestinians in Gaza as well as Israelis - who are all effected by Hamas, he added. 'It's important to have these conversations.'
When asked if he was afraid to lose business for standing up for Israel, Savetsky said 'I’m not afraid. I’m so proud of my people and my homeland. I hope my work as a plastic surgeon speaks for itself and I’m happy to see any patient who comes my way.'
Loay Alnaji, 50, has been taken into custody on an involuntary manslaughter charge. He is shown at the protest where Kessler was fatally injured
Kessler, 69, died after getting into an altercation with Alnaji at a protest in Thousand Oaks earlier this month. An autopsy revealed he'd been hit in the face and died after hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. Witnesses said Alnaji attacked him, causing him to fall
There has been an alarming 135 percent spike in hate crimes since the Hamas terrorist attacks last month, according to the NYPD
Last month, journalist Bari Weiss shared anti-Semitic graffiti left outside the NYC offices of the Free Press
There has been an alarming 135 percent spike in hate crimes in New York since the Hamas terrorist attacks last month, according to the NYPD.
The month of October saw 101 hate crimes - up from the 43 seen in September and 45 in October, 2022, police said on Wednesday.
The majority of the crimes - 69 - were against Jews, as anti-Semitic crimes rose 331 percent since September and 214 percent since October of last year.
Paul Kessler, 69, was killed after suffering a head injury following an interaction with a pro-Palestinian protester on November 5 in Thousand Oaks, California.
A man was charged in connection with the death Kessler, a Jewish protester who was struck in the head with a megaphone by a pro-Palestine protestor.
Loay Alnaji, 50, of Moorpark, was arrested Thursday morning in connection with Kessler’s death, the county sheriff’s office said. Alnaji was then charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury.
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