On a Friday evening, 77-year-old Nahum Steinhardt traveled to his daughter’s house for Shabbat dinner. As the family gathered around the table for the blessing over the wine, Steinhardt suddenly felt unwell and fell to the ground. A family member immediately called Magen David Adom for help.
Ariel Baumbhel, a first responder, arrived on his yellow Medicycle and EMT Muhammad Gharban came shortly after in an ambulance. Together they assessed Steinhardt’s condition and provided initial treatment.
However, as the team prepared to transport him to the hospital, Steinhardt’s condition worsened, his pulse weakened and his complexion became pale. An intensive care unit came, led by paramedic Simone Boyrat and accompanied by senior EMTs Ravid Arabasi and Ibrahim Atamneh.
During advanced medical examinations conducted moments later, Steinhardt experienced cardiac arrest and collapsed while his worried family looked on. The team immediately began intensive resuscitation efforts until his heartbeat returned. Steinhardt was then transported to the hospital for continued medical treatment in a Mobile Intensive Care Unit.
After recovering in the hospital, Steinhardt returned home to his normal routine and received a visit from the MDA team who saved his life.
“It gives me so much satisfaction to see you on your feet and talking to us,” said Boyrat, the paramedic, to Steinhardt. “A reunion like this makes me stop for a moment to see the blessed results of our work. I draw great strength from it.”
“My family told me how you fought for me with all of your might,” Steinhardt said appreciatively with tears in his eyes. “You worked quickly and did everything you could for the sake of my life. Whoever who saves one life, it is as if he saved an entire world,” Steinhardt continued, quoting the Talmud. “You are amazing people. Thank you so much.”
