Hadassah, the Women's Zionist
Organization of America, Inc.,
mourns with the families of all the victims of
terrorist attacks,
From Jerusalem
What can I say? What can anyone say? At the end of the day there are no words, only
impressions and feelings.
An overwhelming sadness envelopes me. There is a gruesome familiarity to these scenes. This
morning, I was transported back to that day in November when I stood on my balcony and
watched the crowds silently gather to mourn Yitzhak Rabin. Today, the early morning calm was
shattered by the shock of the blast, followed by an eerie stillness. Then the screaming of sirens
and the cries of wounded, mingling with the instructions of the police, army and medical teams.
Once again, I stared from my balcony, transfixed with horror and pain.
I cannot easily describe my feelings as I watched the injured being brought into the Trauma Unit
at Ein Karem. All my nursing experience did not prepare me for the shock I felt when I saw the
extent of the carnage. It was almost incomprehensible. As I waited, anxious families began
arriving and the social workers were there to meet them, to escort them to a quiet spot, to try to
prepare them, to help them deal with the fear. Our doctors and nurses worked with quiet
efficiency. We are well-prepared for these events. Unfortunately, we have to be.
I returned later in the day, visiting the victims in the Intensive Care Unit. The most severely
injured are those with burns and blast injuries. Blast injuries are the most difficult to treat
because of the extent of internal damage.
Literally 15 doctors and nurses were gathered near the bed of a middle-aged woman barely
clinging to life. Passionately they exchanged ideas and opinions on the best way to treat her.
They weren't going to give up on a single patient, no matter how bad the situation appeared.
I turned away from the family of a young Ethiopian girl, living on a life-support system. Their
suffering was almost too much to bear. A young man lies there, hanging on by a thread. He is
supposed to be married in two weeks. A woman soldier, a policewoman, another young soldier.
So many. So awful.
Terrorists have struck again, wounding our hearts and souls, stealing into our country, our
capital, tearing families apart, piercing the fabric of Israeli society. How many times must we
view the mangled wreckage of a bus? How often must we mourn the innocent dead and pray
for the wounded?
I have no answers, only questions. I do know that in the midst of this trauma and tragedy, some
of my pain is eased by knowing that we, Hadassah are there.
Marlene Edith Post
National President
42 of the injured are being treated at the Hadassah Hospitals in Jerusalem.
The Hadassah Medical Organization is asking for your help to meet the high
costs of treating trauma, burns, respiratory failure and surgery during this crisis.
Please make a contribution to:
The Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah
5030 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Every Dollar Counts!
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