I took many photos of diversity in Mamilla Mall yesterday: Muslim women eating at the table next to us in a cafe, and Arab families shopping in the Jerusalem mall.

But decided to share my favorite photograph this week which was published by United Hatzalah.

These smiling medical volunteers posed in Jerusalem with visiting Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer (COO) of Facebook.  Sandberg along with her parents are visiting in Israel and donated an ambulance dedicated to Sderot.

Jerusalem, 22.8.19  – Sheryl Sandberg and her parents, Joel and Adelle Sandberg, honored first responders at the national headquarters of United Hatzalah, Israel’s largest all-volunteer EMS organization. The visit culminated in a dedication ceremony of a new ambulance donated to United Hatzalah by Joel and Adelle Sandberg…

During the visit, the Sandberg family met with members of United Hatzalah’s diverse women’s unit and its founder, Gitty Beer. The women’s unit sends female EMTs to treat other women in an effort to make patients feel more comfortable, particularly when dealing with sensitive or private issues such as childbirth or miscarriage.

The Sandbergs met with volunteers Sassya Simon, an Orthodox mother of three who studied pre-med in the US; Rania Abu Shaban, a devote Muslim woman who joined the organization after her grandmother died waiting for an ambulance; and Kayla Tzur, who responds to multiple emergencies a day via electric bicycle.

I totally agree with Sheryl Sandberg’s statement:

“United Hatzalah’s work to quickly respond to emergencies and save lives is one of the most impressive programs I’ve ever seen,” said Sheryl Sandberg. “I’m in awe of these brave women and all of the United Hatzalah volunteers, who race toward people when they need help most.”

Wishing all a safe, happy and healthy Shabbat Shalom.

שבת שלום