8 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J
N

essay

Israel’s Remarkable Resilience Is a 
Beacon of Hope in the Midst of Despair 
I

n the bustling corridors 
of our hospital, I’ve borne 
witness to extraordinary 
resilience during one of our 
nation’s most challenging 
times. Each 
day, I walk 
through the 
ICU where the 
monitors beep 
in rhythmic 
precision, 
where patients 
—civilians and 
soldiers — fight for their lives. 
Our hospital, an emblem 
of medical excellence in the 
Middle East and the world, 
has treated some of the most 
critical cases since the start 
of the war. We have increased 
our capacity — more beds, 
advanced equipment and 
technologies, and expanded 
our dedicated and skilled 
staff — all to ensure that we 
provide the best possible care. 
However, what lingers most 
in my mind is not the clinical 
precision of our medical staff, 
nor our advanced technology, 
but the unwavering strength 
and palpable spirit of the 
families gathered together. In 
this darkest hour, they offer 
a shining beacon of hope, a 
testament to the unbreakable 
spirit that defines Israel and 
its people.
Our history is riddled with 
moments that tested the 
strength of our resolve, and 
yet, time and again, we have 
risen above adversity. Over 
the past few months, our 
nation has been entrenched 
in deep political conflict. 

However, in times of crisis, 
a remarkable phenomenon 
occurs — divisions dissolve, 
and a profound unity takes 
hold. It is a testament to 
the unwavering spirit of the 
Jewish people that, in the 
face of tragedy, no force can 
sever the bonds that bind us 
together.
In my attempt to strengthen 
patients and families 
grappling with the gravest 
of circumstances, I found 
myself being strengthened 
in return. Families and 
loved ones of those viciously 
attacked exuded a strength 
that defies comprehension. In 
their eyes, I saw a deep well 
of confidence, an unyielding 
resilience and a powerful 
sense of togetherness. It is 
a strength that goes beyond 
the physical and delves into 
the very essence of the Israeli 
spirit.
What strikes me most in 
these trying times is the unity 
that pervades our society. 

Israelis of all backgrounds 
and walks of life are standing 
shoulder to shoulder. From 
parents and families of 
soldiers to civilians — those 
born in Israel, others who 
immigrated from the U.S. 
and other countries — the 
collective strength of our 
people is awe-inspiring. 
Together, we sit, we pray 
and we bolster the spirits of 
our nation, including our 
medical staff, giving back 
to the dedicated nurses and 
doctors who work tirelessly to 
save lives.
It is heartening to witness 
the spirit of volunteering 
that has permeated every 
corner of our hospital. 
Organizations, youth 
groups and individuals alike 
converge to offer support in 
a myriad of ways — from 
providing food, clothing and 
electronics to families and 
staff to simply being there, 
a reassuring presence in a 
time of chaos. Volunteers 

stay with patients, allowing 
families precious moments 
of rest and bringing not just 
sustenance but also a sense 
of normalcy and humanity 
to a situation fraught with 
pain and uncertainty. It is 
a testament to the innate 
goodness that exists within 
the Israeli people. It is, 
however, lamentable that it 
takes a crisis like war to bring 
out such an outpouring of 
generosity and kindness.
Yet, in the sadness of this 
necessity, there is also a 
glimmer of hope. The spirit of 
the people of Israel, with their 
generosity and resilience, 
strengthens the medical staff, 
urging us to continue our 
vital work even in the face of 
daunting challenges that lie 
ahead. We are ready — we 
have trained for this moment. 
In the coming days, as 
we work to expand our 
capabilities even further, we 
draw inspiration from the 
unity, strength and acts of 
kindness that define us as a 
people. 
It is a resilience that refuses 
to be broken, a collective will 
that declares, unequivocally, 
that we will overcome, we will 
flourish again and, together, 
we will rise. Just as the human 
body has an astonishing 
capacity to heal, rebuild and 
regain its strength, so, too, 
does our nation possess the 
remarkable ability to mend 
its wounds and emerge even 
stronger. 
The hope, unity and 
kindness we see at the 

Safra Children Hospital at Sheba Medical Center, east of Tel Aviv.

I. DAVID SHAY

PURELY COMMENTARY

continued on page 11

Yoel Hareven 

