Jerusalem – It was evening that will be remembered for years to come. Nearly a thousand Hatzalah lifesaving medics gathered in Petach Tikva for an evening of Chizuk. What transpired will affect the lives of people throughout Israel. The heartwarming Achdus of medics and organizations from across the country was met with the unwavering support and guidance of Gedolim from across the spectrum. Knesset members, public figures and senior representatives from the private sector pledged their assistance to ensure the growth and success of United Hatzalah in Israel.
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It was an evening that brought together Jews from all walks of life, Sefardi and Ashkenazi, kipa seruga and black hat, religious and not. The unifying force was the dedication to the concept of saving lives through a Torah-based independent and autonomous Hatzalah organization. Volunteering to save lives at no cost with all ambulance companies, whether it be MDA or Natali or any other ambulance service. Saving lives and saving money for people is a chessed and Kiddush Hashem of the highest order.
The mesirus nefesh of Rav Aryeh Leib Shteinman’s Shlit”a to attend and address the audience electrified the crowd. His message that Hatzalos Nefashos can not come at the cost to the Neshama of the matzil struck a very resonant chord among the Hatzalah members.
Rav Azriel Aurbach Shlit’a sat with his father-in-law Maran Harav Elyashiv this week along with the heads of United Hatzalah to chart a course for the organization. Rav Azriel Aurbach told the audience the clear and direct Psak of Rav Elyashiv that “No Torah observant Jew may volunteer in MDA but must be in the framework of Hatzalah that operates in the framework of halacha and under the guidance of the Gedolim.
Maran HaRav Ovadiah Yosef Shlit”a sent a message that was effusive with his praise for Hatzalah members who turn night into day saving lives, being mekadesh shem shamayim. The message concluded that “How great it is to be part of an organization that takes every step with the guidance of Daas Torah and Chas Veshalom that we should go to foreign fields that are replete with stumbling blocks.”
The Sanzer Rebbe, Rav Tzvi Elimelech Halberstam Shlit”a likewise sent words of praise and chizuk reiterating the need to operate under the framework of an organization dedicated to every prat of Halachah. He gave brochos to all follow in the way of Hashem.
Rav Yehudah Silman Shlit”a followed with a powerful address saying that United Hatzalah is a significantly professional and mature enough that it does not need to be in the custody of any other entity. Our hands are outstretched to work together but if pushed away we will operate with full independence and autonomy.
Chairman of the Finance Committee Knesset Member Moshe Gafni rallied the audience with his personal recollections of United Hatzalah members being consistently first on scene saving lives. He added that certain parties decided in an unprecedented and irresponsible fashion to stop sending messages to Hatzalah volunteers in manner they risked the lives of many. The people of Israel want Hatzalah. The lie that chareidim don’t contribute to the society has been shattered by United Hatzalah. The fact that other entities want to prevent their help is unconscionable and will be fought. There will be no monopolistic control preventing chareidim from saving lives. I will introduce a law in the Knesset to empower United Hatzalah to respond in the same manner as MDA. I call out to MDA chairperson Eli Been to join hands and work together to save lives but without patronization and monopolistic control. I, as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Rav Litzman Deputy Health Minister along with all UTJ and Shas Knesset members are united in this holy fight and with the help of Hashem will be successful.
Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah concluded the evening with a heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers. When he was interrupted cheering and chanting thanking him asked that focus not be on him but on the rededication to saving lives Al Pi Torah. He reiterated the invitation to work with MDA but pledged that no entity will get in the way of saving lives. In addition he assured that he will do all that is in his power to ensure the operational and financial strength of United Hatzalah so that medics in the field and people in need will never be lacking in resources.
gevaldig………how touching……….where can we send money and apply pressure against those MDA incompetants????
They should consolidate MDA with these Hatzala operations into a single consolidated emergency medical service managed by PROFESSIONALS who are required to consult with rabbonim on policy but are insulated from the rabbonim in terms of day to day operations. EY cannot afford the competitiion and petty jelousies that have on several occasions jeopardized lives.
I agree with David on comment #3. MDA is a great organization which saves lives- so is Hatzalah. But the fact is, Hatzalah does not allow women to volunteer as EMTs with them so consolidating them would not work. I am a women who has volunteered as an EMT both in Israel, with MDA and as an EMT in the US… and trust me women can save lives too.
It’s like a husband and wife always arguing and talking about divorce. MDA and Hatzala should kiss and make up and stengthen their vows.
THese two organizations are both definitely interested in helping people. Together they would be better, faster and more effective.
Any rav that says there is an issur against women working as paramedics to save lives (of MEN or women) has clearly taken leave of his senses and should be ignored. It is not daas torah to yiddeshe lives at risk because of some petty concerns about Tzinus or negiah.
What did Rav Shteinman mean when he said that Hatzalos Nefashos can not come at the cost to the Neshama of the matzil? How is the neshoma endangered by working for MDA?
Rav Shteinman doesn’t know what he is saying….this is just another manifestation of the jealousy between the Hatzala groups of the MDA and its global reputation and fund raising success. The only neshamot endangerd are those of yiddin whose medical needs are jeopardize by the mindless efforts to put emergency medical care under the control of the rabbonim rather than professionals.
MDA + Hatzalah will be a united group for saving lives. Do it.
women have a place in emerjency medical services
“No Torah observant Jew may volunteer in MDA but must be in the framework of Hatzalah that operates in the framework of halacha and under the guidance of the Gedolim.”
pretty shocking…