After learning that her childhood friend had been injured while defending Israel on October 7, 22-year-old Ayala Mazor resolved to learn how to save lives. She trained with Magen David Adom and is now an EMT in Haifa.
When on the morning of October 7, Mazor learned that her best friend since childhood, Yonatan Beit Halevi, had been shot seven times while serving in the IDF’s 50th Nahal Battalion, she rushed to Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva to try to find him.
Over the course of the eight hours Mazor searched for her friend, she saw numerous seriously wounded people. As she walked through the hospital corridors in search of Beit Halevi, she banished her initial feelings of helplessness by swearing to herself that she would learn how to save lives.
Finally, Beit Halevi, 20, was flown to Soroka Hospital by helicopter and brought to a trauma room. “The moment I heard he was alive and found him, meant so much to me,” said Mazor. Beit Halevi underwent many rounds of surgery and began a long rehabilitation process.
Israel’s northern border has become more dangerous, and thousands of Israelis have been evacuated to other parts of the country. Since Mazor was displaced from her home in Kibbutz Snir, she became more determined than ever to learn how to save lives so that when she is able to return home, she will know how to provide medical care to everyone around her.
Beit Halevi supported Mazor throughout her EMT course while she supported him through his rehabilitation. “When I think about her reason to choose this path, I’m proud of her and believe in her very much,” said Beit Halevi. “Thanks to him, I am in MDA and proud to be here,” remarked Mazor.
Now, eight months since October 7, Mazor has fulfilled her promise to herself and is working on an ambulance. Mazor received her certificate of completion at MDA’s Haifa station along with 15 other new medics from instructors Anan Salameh, Noa Tzofar, and Asil Ibrahim.
“I learned so much in this amazing course,” reflected Mazor, “this is just the beginning.”
