I attended a black tie affair in honor of the 100th anniversary of Hadassah Women's Organization on Tuesday, March 22 in Lev Hair in Tel Aviv the site of the first Hadassah Hospital. About 150 people showed up, mostly Israeli business people. The Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel was present. He called the HWO a "holy organization".
The very next day as I was finishing my shift in the ED all my colleagues appeared dressed in uniforms with labels: "doctor", "head nurse", "social worker", "psychologist". I asked the head nurse what was going on. She hurriedly replied that there had been a terrorist attack in downtown Jerusalem and the staff was getting ready.
I found myself next to a 14 year old yeshiva kid who had fractured both legs from the bomb blast. I stood next to him the entire time, checking his vital signs, examining him, working with the surgeons. I called his mother 3 to 4 times to let her know that he was ok and would be going to surgery. I took him to Xray, discussed the case with the orthopedists, met and encouraged his father. He was in pain so I gave him morphine and calmed him down by reviewing the gemorah in Kiddushin that he was learning with him by heart. The psychologist was impressed.
I went to see him and his father on Sunday on the orthopedic ward, just as they were ready to go home. I suggested that we plan a seudat hoda-ah at our home for him and his friends in the future.
At that moment, I realized that I needed to write these occurrences down so that we could experience them together. It's not about terror attacks. Its about a very wonderful country and a very special place with special people and wonderful organizations that allow us to accomplish so much. They allow us to even to achieve a degree of holiness that the rabbi described.
I dedicate this blog to my 14 year old friend, Yisrael and pray for his speedy recovery.
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