Sally Reidman, founder and president of Reidman College of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, received the Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize in 2023 for her achievements in education.

How did her life lead up to this prestigious moment?

Born in Pennsylvania in 1949 to Holocaust survivors, Sally grew up with her mother in California and studied psychology at California State University.

She founded Reidman College in1987, and it is now recognized as Israel’s largest institute of its kind. Today, more than 4,000 students are enrolled in the college’s five vocational schools: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Natural Medicine, Somatic Therapies, Holistic Psychotherapy, and Holistic Coaching.

The college has four campuses, with its main campus in Tel Aviv and branches in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba.

What influenced you to make aliyah?

I didn’t go to a Jewish school or belong to a Jewish youth group. Still, over the years, my mom would tell me how much she wanted me to go to Israel and that she would pay for the ticket.

One day, an Israeli friend - my only Israeli friend at the time - told me she was going to Israel to visit her dying grandmother. That was the trigger.

When the plane landed and my feet touched the ground, I became very emotional and started to cry. I ended up staying for two months, returned to California to wrap things up, and then made aliyah in 1983.

I had no money, only one distant relative in Israel, and no idea what I was going to do. I just knew I was meant to be here. I was a spiritual seeker and felt that here I could be a channel for love and light.

How did you get started and what do you recommend to new olim who want to succeed here professionally?

Since childhood, I have been used to hard work. I came to Ashdod with my massage table and initially lived in an absorption center. I would take the table with me on the bus as I traveled to work in three different places.

After 18 months, I moved to a small apartment in Tel Aviv and rented space in a gym for my practice. Eventually, I was running a small school, which later became Reidman College.

My advice to new olim is to work hard, love what you do, become good at it, and be passionate. Although I’m not religious, I am spiritual and have always had a connection to God. I believe God brings me what I need.

Was Reidman your family name?

It was the name of my former husband. We were married for less than four years, had no children, and divorced before I moved to Israel.

How would you sum up the mission of Reidman College?

We believe in the advancement of natural medicine by working side by side with conventional medicine through integration and cooperation.

At one time, natural medicine was considered alternative medicine. Today, the proper terms are “complementary” and “integrative” medicine.

The goal of natural medicine is to identify the underlying cause of a condition and promote long-term wellness, often reducing reliance on pharmaceutical drugs.

How does the religious community relate to natural medicine?

In general, the religious community is very supportive of natural medicine. In Jerusalem, we have separate courses for men and for women. Because the demand is so great, we’re planning a dedicated wing at our Jerusalem campus.

Do you have courses in English?

The college is launching an English-language program of massage therapy, to include holistic Swedish massage and basic medical massage.

What advice would you give someone looking for a massage therapist?

Make sure your therapist is insured. Insurance companies will not insure someone who does not have a certificate from an accredited school.

Beyond credentials, there are the personal qualities: attention, intention, and love. We want therapists who give us their full attention, whose intentions are clear, and who genuinely love their work.

Does AI have any effect on your profession?

As AI takes over more and more professions, the idea of a career in therapy is becoming increasingly popular. Ours is a profession that AI is unlikely to replace. In fact, it is one of the fastest-growing professions.

In a Jerusalem Post article published in May, Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Lieberman wrote: ‘We need more therapists.’ What’s your view?

I totally agree. Especially since Oct. 7, the need has become desperate. That’s one reason our college continues to grow.

Not everyone comes here simply to find a job. Some want to raise healthier families. Some come to heal themselves. We also have many hi-tech professionals who work with computers all day and come to us to unwind and interact with other like-minded people.

In a 2026 message for Valentine’s Day in the ‘Algemeiner Journal,’ you wrote: ‘It is known that people with pets to care for and receive love from them live longer and are happier than most others. Dogs, in particular, are renowned for giving unconditional love.’ Would you add anything?

It may not be accidental that the Hebrew word for dog is ‘kelev.’ Lev means “heart.”

Your closing thoughts?

At Reidman, we focus on helping you become the best you, so that you, in turn, can give to others. As we heal ourselves, we help heal the planet.

Sally Reidman
From Los Angeles to Ashdod, 1983