MDA israel

On 11th of September 2010, a Magen David Adom to a woman in labor in Kfar Habad. Moments later, it became clear that this was not a routine delivery, as the baby was breech and in a life-threatening situation. Following complex medical efforts, the baby was born, but wasn't breathing and had no pulse. 

An MDA mobile intensive care unit (MICU) team, headed by paramedic Itzu Leibovich along with paramedic student Mirit Halfon and EMTs Shneiur Tzik and Oren Roni immediately started to resuscitate the baby. After 10 stressful minutes, the baby's heart began to beat, he was ventilated and evacuated to hospital. 

Two months later, after the baby's condition improved and stabilized following the traumatic delivery, the team was invited to the baby's Brit ceremony where his name was finally revealed - Shmuel. 

13 years after the incredible miracle of Shmuel's survival against the odds, the MDA team was once again invited to a celebration - his Bar Mitzvah. 

"I remember that event like it happened today," said Shneiur Tzik, MDA volunteer EMT who lived near the family and was the first to respond. It was just before the New Year, and it was a very complex delivery. We fought to save Shmuel's life, and I'm very pleased we were able to save him. To this day, it's one of the most memorable events I've attended in MDA. We danced and celebrated with his family, and we saw Shmuel do the same, just as a Bar Mitzvah boy should." 

"We had a difficult and traumatic event that ended with an open miracle," said Shneiur Kobachik, Shmuel's father. "We've been in touch with the MDA team since then. We remember them at every birthday, and it was obvious to us that we would invite them to the Bar Mitzvah. We were thrilled to see the angels in white once more, here with us, relaxed, without medical equipment, and with smiles on their faces. I thank MDA and God for saving our child's life, and I hope to celebrate further events together in the future." 

"It was the first time in my career that I was called to such a young baby - just a few minutes old," recalled MDA paramedic Itzu Leibovich. "It was an incredibly complex moment that I won't forget. All I could think of at the time was how to work in the most professional way to save his life, and thankfully the tough memories mix with the happy moments that we have marked with the family throughout the years. I'm thrilled to return to Kfar Habad, 13 years after first coming here with the MICU, this time to celebrate Shmuel's Bar Mitzvah. I wish him many more years of celebrations."