Special to the JTA Goren Doing Well After Undergoing Quadruple Heart Bypass Operation

Israel’s Chief Ashkanazic Rabbi Shlomo Goren was resting comfortably today after undergoing a quadruple heart bypass operation last Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic here, his surgeon, Dr. Floyd Loop said. Loop, who also performed a similar operation about two years ago on King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, said that Goren had a blockage to the heart in four places which required the transplanting of four arteries.

The three and a half hour operation was defined as “very successful” by Yitzhak Feller, the shaliach of the Jewish Community Federation here, who has been in contact with Loop and the Rabbi’s wife since the operation.

Goren, it was reported, was out of the intensive care unit in 25 hours, which is considered to be a remarkably short period of time, and was walking around in his room by Thursday morning. Goren will remain at the clinic for a total of eight days and he will stay in Cleveland for another two weeks of rest and periodic checkups. He hopes to be back in Israel within three weeks.

Premier Menachem Begin of Israel called Goren before the operation but was unable to speak to him. The Premier called again shortly after the surgery and spoke both with Mrs. Goren and Loop.

TRIP KEPT A SECRET

“I fixed a new and young heart to Rabbi Goren,” Loop was reported to have told Begin. “I will be more than glad and honored to do the same to you, Mr. Prime Minister, if you are willing, ” Loop said, referring to Begin’s reported heart trouble. Loop did not indicate what Begin’s response was.

The purpose of Goren’s trip here was kept secret until his doctor was sure the operation was a success. Only Begin, a few rabbis in the U.S. and Israel and members of his family knew of Goren’s impending surgery. Goren’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Fahzi Estafanous, was an Egyptian Christian. As Goren resumed a solid diet, kosher outlets in Cleveland are providing him with prepared foods in the hospital.