Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Ira Savetsky has been making headlines not just for his surgical expertise, but for a noble cause that transcends the confines of his clinic. Taking to Instagram, he recently encouraged others to reach out for free plastic or reconstructive surgery if they had experienced a hate crime or were injured during the October 7 massacre in Israel.
Recently, Savetsky received a poignant message on Instagram from a young American Jewish student, highlighting a fear that’s increasingly gripping the Jewish community. The student’s request for help in removing a chai tattoo due to fears of antisemitism on campus is a stark reflection of the times.
Savetsky is more than a renowned surgeon; he’s part of a duo that’s become familiar in the public eye. Married to Lizzy Savetsky, a social media influencer who was briefly a part of the Real Housewives of New York cast, the couple has been vocal about their experiences with antisemitism.
Lizzy’s outspoken stance on social media has brought both support and challenges, making their family a symbol of resilience in the face of growing hate. Responding to the climate of fear, Savetsky has embarked on a mission to offer free medical care to victims of antisemitic violence.
“When young people feel compelled to hide symbols of their faith due to fear, it’s a wake-up call for all of us,” Savetsky shared in an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Monday. “It’s about more than removing a tattoo; it’s about addressing the fear that drives such a decision.”
Helping victims of antisemitism
One of the individuals Savetsky has assisted is Rafi, a victim of a hate crime in a Jewish neighborhood. He 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, leading to a severe nasal injury.
Suspecting a broken nose, friends of the young man reached out to Savetsky for help. Savetsky met with Rafi and did not hesitate to offer his expertise.
Following Rafi’s case, Savetsky turned to social media to extend his support further. “Rafi’s case is a grim reminder of why this initiative is crucial. I want to let those affected by hate crimes know that they’re not alone,” he stated in an Instagram post, inviting others to seek help.
An additional young American Jew sent Savetsky a message via Instagram after he publicized his initiative. “Hi Dr. Savetsky, I was wondering if your office does laser tattoo removal?” She asked. “I’m a Jewish college student and have a very visible chai tattooed on my neck. Have really been wanting to get it removed as of late as I fear potentially being a victim of antisemitism on my college campus because of it,” she said.
Savetsky remarked “It’s disheartening when people feel the need to conceal their identity. Our goal is to empower them, whether it’s through medical intervention or simply offering a safe space.”
Celebration turned to tragedy
On October 7, the Savetskys were actually in Israel. “We traveled to Israel to celebrate my son’s Upsherin, or hair-cutting ceremony, and the holiday of Sukkot. We had very little knowledge of what was happening in the early morning since we did not have our phones due to Shabbat and the holiday,” he said of that bloody day.
“As we were in and out of the bomb shelter throughout most of the day at the King David Hotel, we were getting bits and pieces of the atrocities. As time went on, the nightmare of events just kept getting worse.”
Asked about how they spoke about the atrocities with their children, he answered: “It is always a delicate balance between being honest with your children and also not scaring them. We tend to tell them the truth up until a certain point. The gruesome details were certainly omitted, but they understood the gravity of the situation.”
Taking action
Prior to leaving Israel, Savetsky reached out to several physicians he knows in the country to offer assistance in the hospitals. Fortunately, they had things covered. Nonetheless, he added himself to a list of physicians, which includes over 12,000 others residing outside of Israel, who are willing to come to Israel and assist with whatever is needed.
“While awaiting a call back to Israel, I’ve been contemplating how I can contribute to the well-being of Jews both in Israel and abroad,” he explained the reason for his new initiative.
“I’ve organized a multidisciplinary team of volunteer physicians, including anesthesiologists, dermatologists, and cosmetic dentists, to provide free care for any individual victimized by violent antisemitic hate crimes,” he shared.
Up until now, Savetsky has performed numerous in-office procedures, primarily focused on scar treatments. He has also been diligently addressing the visible scarring resulting from hate crimes, actively contributing to efforts to eliminate such incidents.
Furthermore, they have been approached by several Israeli patients, some of whom require extensive reconstructive surgery. These individuals are currently hospitalized in Israel and face travel restrictions due to the ongoing situation.
“Additionally, I have received multiple requests from Israelis, some of whom require more extensive reconstructive surgery and are currently hospitalized in Israel and are unable to travel at this time,” Savetsky shared.
Currently, he is assisting a young Israeli woman who had previously scheduled a rhinoplasty in Turkey but is unable to travel because of the war. Regrettably, the surgeon in Turkey declined to refund her money. Following a virtual consultation, arrangements have been made for her to come to New York City in January for her rhinoplasty procedure, which will be provided free of charge by Savetsky.
Savetsky, 39, has lived in New York for almost his entire life. Yet according to him, “There has been a palpable increase in antisemitism over the years. During my upbringing, we had minimal to no security at our synagogues and schools,” he said. Now, there is heavily armed security at every Jewish institution.
“Just last week, a patient of mine who lives in the Hamptons told me that she took down her mezuzah because she didn’t feel comfortable having it on her doorpost. This new reality is only reminiscent of Nazi Germany, a frightening new reality.”
He added that his family has also suffered from antisemitism. “My family and I have been targeted for years due to Lizzy’s activism. We’ve received online harassment via social media, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They also come to my practice through online reviews, threatening letters, calls, and emails.”
He asked to conclude on a positive note, remarking that: “One of the more positive aspects that our community has witnessed since October 7 is Achdut (unity), or oneness. The Jewish people are united, and we all want to give back and help each other during this difficult time.”