United Hatzalah's new ambucycle unit was inaugurated at Safra Square in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening.

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The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson ambucycle unit is comprised of 150 new United Hatzalah ambucycles, which were deployed nationwide when the ceremony concluded.

Ahead of the inauguration, the ambucycles were set up in Safra Square in the form of a seven-branched menorah. Following the ceremony, all 150 vehicles toured the Old City of Jerusalem in a convoy. Every United Hatzalah volunteer saluted Dr. Adelson for her support of the organization and her help in saving the life of its founder and president, Eli Beer, when he was in critical condition with COVID last year.

Beer spoke at the ceremony, citing Dr. Adelson's great work and support of United Hatzalah.

"This event was held to honor some of the greatest supporters and defenders of Israel, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson. The new unit, comprising 150 vehicles, is assisting 150 medical first responders in providing emergency medical care around the country, including the developing areas of the Negev, Galilee, and Judea and Samaria. This will significantly increase the effectiveness of emergency medical response in Israel. They will enable us to provide faster EMS response as soon as emergencies occur," Beer said.

Speaking to the ambucycle drivers and members of the public who were present, Dr. Adelson said, "I understand the magic of riding a motorcycle. It is clear that it is necessary for you and for the sake of everyone who you are helping. In your hands, these two-wheeled vehicles will work for the good of all. They will be used for the greatest good and the ultimate mitzvah of saving lives."

"Anyone who saves a single life, it is as if they have saved an entire world. With that simple statement, our sages of old summed up the entirety of Judaism throughout the generations. This was an insight that the other great religions of the world adopted, and they have representatives of their faiths among you tonight and among the volunteers of United Hatzalah in general," Dr. Adelson continued.

"When they told us that saving a life was akin to saving the world, our sages in fact commanded us to do whatever we can to save a person in danger as if the entire world were in danger. We are commanded to act quickly, it is our responsibility to do so. This is my blessing and gift to you," Dr. Adelson told the audience.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion also spoke, telling the crowd, "We are standing here in the square outside of Jerusalem's city hall in order to recognize and thank the Adelson family for their tremendous donation to the state of Israel, to the city of Jerusalem, and specifically today, to United Hatzalah. The Adelson family is one of the most ideologically driven and patriotic families that the Jewish nation has had in the recent past, and it is for that reason that we tell you all, and you in particular, my dear Miriam, thank you!"

Dr. Miriam Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom. The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.

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United Hatzalah of Israel, the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer Emergency Medical Service in Israel, held its annual fundraising streaming event, "Saving Lives Sunday" in solidarity and support of the volunteers comprising its first responding apparatus

"The event successfully raised more than $1.3 million (up more than 30% from 2020) in support of its volunteers who were honored in a tribute to their tireless work, especially in reflection of their involvement in the recent tragic event in Israel," the organization said in a statement.

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The virtual event featured Jay Leno as well as other special guests and was produced in partnership with Adam Kantor of Broadway fame.

"Each of the participants shared a heartfelt message saluting the first responders of United Hatzalah. The event also celebrated the one-year anniversary of founder and president Eli Beer's return to Israel and paid tribute to the medical personnel of Miami University Hospital who saved his life when he contracted Covid-19 in March 2020," the statement released by the organization said in a statement. "This year's telethon brought in 30% more in donations and counting, a testament to the mission of United Hatzalah and the global support that it rallies."

Eli Beer, who is the founder and president of the organization, said, "Especially following the terrible incident that took place in Meron on Friday morning, I cannot thank the volunteers of United Hatzalah enough for everything that they do, and the donors who support them and enable them to do it," Eli Beer, the founder and president of the organization said. "United Hatzalah is a partnership of many people who are all dedicated to saving the lives of people in Israel, people whom they have never met before. In light of the situation, we had to modify the program so that it would be appropriate for the current situation. I think we were able to do that in a meaningful way while still working to make sure that all of our volunteers have all of the lifesaving equipment they need to continue saving lives and helping people."

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Vicky Tiferet, a volunteer EMT with United Hatzalah on Moshav Yuval in northern Israel has become the first woman in the organization's history to head a chapter after she was put in charge of United Hatzalah for Hula Valley last week.

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Tiferet succeeded Yossi Lahav.

United Hatzalah is subdivided into chapters, allowing the organization to provide individual attention appropriate to the regional, religious and cultural sensitivities of its volunteers and patients. There are currently 81 chapters operating throughout Israel.

Tiferet said she does not see her new role as "something grandiose," but that her position would allow her to more easily help her "fellow first responders in providing as high a level of emergency care as they can."

The EMT was recently recognized by the organization for her dedicated service and last Hanukkah became the first recipient of the Korenvaes Miracle Award.

Tiferet immigrated to Israel from Russia in 1991 at the age of nine. She lives on Moshav Yuval with her husband and four children. She started volunteering with United Hatzalah three years ago after being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the joints and spine that results in severe pain.

In addition to her EMS work, Tiferet is active in United Hatzalah's Ten Kavod ("Giving Honor") project, which sends out volunteers to visit elderly patients on a weekly basis to assess and help them maintain their health, as well as spend some time with them to alleviate the sense of loneliness that many elderly people feel.

Tiferet is also the regional coordinator of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit (PCRU) for the Hula Valley and Golan Heights.

"Due to AS, I live with pain 24/7, and every day that passes is another day closer to the time that I will have to use a wheelchair to get around," she said. "Whenever I wake up, I need to perform a series of exercises before I can move my limbs without serious pain. It makes getting up in the middle of the night to rush out to medical emergencies extremely difficult.

"But I do it, and I do it with love. Because the thing that keeps me healthy is the adrenaline rush that I get every time that I respond to an emergency. It does me good to help others. I believe that what happens with most of our illnesses is that they are somewhat diminished if we are happy and spiritually healthy," Tiferet said.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org

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As the morbidity rate from COVID in Israel remains high, Israeli diagnostics streamlining startup Nanosynex is working to help curb the pandemic with its new rapid coronavirus test, which produces results in 15 minutes.

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The tests were developed by Nanosynex's French partner, Biosynex, and are currently pending approval from Israel's drug regulator. Nanosynex is ready to supply millions of the testing kits to schools, nursing homes, airports, and workplaces once they have been approved for use.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, representatives of the startup demonstrated the use of the testing kit to first responders at the United Hatzalah headquarters in Jerusalem.

The emergency workers were trained to properly administer the tests so that they will be able to train their teams nationwide and help cut off outbreaks.

"The widespread application of a rapid test will allow for mass screenings in a format that is less expensive, easy to use, without the use of laboratories, and will allow businesses and offices to reopen," Nanosynex CEO Diane Abensur Bessin said in a statement.

"Our volunteers are on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," said United Hatzalah founder and president Eli Beer.

"I want to make sure that when our volunteers rush out to treat someone or need to transport a patient, they are COVID-free and that they come back from the incident COVID-free. That is why I aCOVIDm so excited about this new rapid test. So that we can be a COVID-free organization, so that when our volunteers return home, their families will be safe from exposure, as well," Beer said.

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Beer was infected with the virus during a fundraising mission for his organization in Florida last month.

Beer was brought back to Israel on the Adelson family's plane after several weeks of treatment in a Miami hospital, including several days under an induced coma and on a ventilator. He managed to get out of the plane by himself, despite struggling to walk.

Video: Moshe Ben Simhon

"We haven't seen in him for 6 weeks, he was on the verge o death, and now it's just amazing that we can see him and kiss him, we are dying to see him again," one of his daughters said just moments before his return.

Once he had descended the stairs to the tarmac, he and his wife embraced each other. "I want to thank the medical team that helped me make it back to Israel, and to Dr. Miriam Adelson and her husband [businessman and philanthropist] Sheldon Adelson, I love them so much," he said. He also gave a special gift to the physician who treated him in Miami and flew with him.

He later told Israel Hayom: "It's amazing to be back home, I did not think I would see my wife and children again."

On his Facebook page he wrote:

"What a journey ... What a great ending.
Thank you for bringing our father back home.
Thank you Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson.
With all the happiness and joy we feel, we don't forget all the people who are fighting for their lives right now, and all those who have lost their lives or lost someone they love.
We have so much to write and say and so many people to thank ... and we will be sharing more soon..
But for now, home sweet home. Thank you all for being here for us!♡ The Beer Family and Eli"

Dr. Miriam Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom. The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.

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The ambulance will be stationed in the southern city of Sderot, servicing the city and surrounding area that is often victim to Hamas rocket fire from Gaza.

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The Sandberg family's visit focused on United Hatzalah's women's unit, which sends female EMTs to treat other women, particularly when dealing with sensitive and private issues such as childbirth and miscarriage. They met a diverse range of women: unit founder Gitty Beer; Orthodox mother of three Sassya Simon; Rania Abu Shaban, a devout Muslim whose grandmother died while waiting for an ambulance; and Kayla Tzur, who responds to multiple emergencies a day via bicycle.

"United Hatzalah's work to quickly respond to emergencies and save lives is one of the most impressive programs I've ever seen," said Sandberg.

"I'm in awe of these brave women and all of the United Hatzalah volunteers, who race toward people when they need help most."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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