The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) donated 160 emergency medical kits to United Hatzalah of Israel, a volunteer emergency medical service organization. The donation, which is a part of The Fellowship’s $20M Coronavirus emergency aid funds that were distributed this year, took place during a special ceremony held in the logistics center of United Hatzalah in Har Tuv on Tuesday, December 15, as both organizations combat the spread of the coronavirus in Israel.

“As the morbidity rate in Israel continues to rise and the country heads toward what some are calling a third wave of the virus, this donation will serve our volunteers and the organization in helping to combat the virus and continue to provide fast and free medical care to all those in need in Israel, regardless of race, religion, or nationality,” said President and Founder of United Hatzalah, Eli Beer. Beer spoke in front of a group of newly trained volunteers who gathered from different parts of Israel to receive their new medical kits.

The Fellowship also donated personal protection (PPE) suits and Bluebird communication devices that will be used by first responders across Israel for medical emergencies, including instances of coronavirus.

Volunteer EMT Yocheved Bienenstock from Beit Shemesh said, “The equipment that I received from The Fellowship is invaluable. I now have the medical gear and personal protection equipment that I need to go out and save lives and help combat the spread of coronavirus. Wherever I go I will be taking this equipment with me and using it to help others. My daughter says it makes me look like a superhero.”

Yael Eckstein, President, and CEO of The Fellowship addressed the gathered volunteers at the logistics center and thanked them for their efforts to save lives. “It’s a great honor to be able to provide these kits. What you are doing is so meaningful, impactful, and powerful. As we all work to get through this crisis, you have one of the most important jobs in Israel.”

“The fact that you are here and have done your part through your training to arrive at this point where you receive your medical equipment means that you are now ready to save lives. That is meaningful especially today on Hanukkah. It’s truly worthy of the blessing of Shehecheyanu V’Kiyimanu V’Higiyanu Lzman Hazeh. We are proud that you will now be partners with us in saving lives.”

Eli Beer concluded: “I want to thank The Fellowship for their tremendous help to Israel for many years and to Yael Eckstein for this donation. Yael has done incredible work taking over the leadership role of her father Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, may his memory be a blessing. Yael has been doing acts of chesed (lovingkindness) even before she took over the position, and it is because of acts like these that we are able to get through the coronavirus pandemic. If everyone were only looking after themselves, the world would be a mess right now. The fact that there are supporters of The Fellowship from all over the world who are giving of themselves to help people in Israel is so inspiring to me. The partnership between The Fellowship and United Hatzalah is one that is real and one that is saving the lives of all people.”

(Photos: Top photo some of the volunteers being presented with the medical kits at the ceremony
2nd photo: President of the Fellowship Yael Eckstein receives an honorary United Hatzalah vest from President and Founder of United Hatzalah Eli Beer
3rd photo: Volunteers listen as Yael thanks them for their service
4th photo: CEO of United Hatzalah Eli Pollack (left) and Eli Beer present Yael Eckstein with Silver Ambucycle Award
5th: Heads fo The Fellowship and United Hatzalah stand in front of the donated medical kits.
Photo credit: Yechiel Gurfein – United Hatzalah)