The Adele and Joel Sandberg Women’s Initiative
MISSION
The Adele and Joel Sandberg Women’s Initiative at United Hatzalah was launched in 2021 with the goal of doubling the number of female emergency responders from 1,000 to 2,000 over the course of five years. To reach this goal, supporters of the Women’s Initiative have committed to raising $1.8 million each year for a total of $9 million.
WOMEN'S INITIATIVE NUMBERS
As of April 2023, the Women’s Initiative increased the number of women in emergency medical roles by 30% to 1,300, by recruiting, training, and equipping more than 270 women from across the spectrum of Israeli society to become medics, psychotrauma responders, ambulance drivers, First Aid instructors, and dispatch operators. United Hatzalah’s Women’s Initiative has:
- 981 Medics
- 45 Psychotrauma Volunteers
- 214 Ten Kavod Volunteers
- 17 Phlebotomists
- 6 Instructors
- 16 Dispatchers
AMAZING WOMEN IN THE FIELD
Rachel Zubeta, Deputy Commander of United Hatzalah’s Emergency Relief Operations, was one of five female emergency responders on United Hatzalah’s delegation to Turkey following the catastrophic earthquake that claimed more than 30,000 lives. Zubeta called the search and rescue mission, “a beacon of unity, with the sole purpose of providing aid to those in need.” The medic helped rescue 15 people from the rubble and provided relief to dozens of other victims.
Dr. Keren Moss, a senior United Hatzalah first responder in the Negev region, led a first aid course for high school students in the Bedouin village of Bir Hadaj. Traditionally, Bedouins are difficult to reach culturally as well as physically, as their towns have no streets or addresses. The trainees will serve as ambassadors in their villages, build bridges between first responders and community leadership, and help guide United Hatzalah responders to the location of the person in need when an emergency occurs.
INSPIRING MOTHERS AT HATZALAH (IMAH)
Taking female empowerment to new heights and highlighting our commitment to social responsibility, United Hatzalah has developed a unique program called “IMAH” to train 30 Israeli widows to become medics, phlebotomists, and First Aid instructors. IMAH offers fully subsidized professional development in the field of emergency medicine, complemented by a support system for widows across Israel. Graduates of the first phlebotomy course are completing their internships at local health clinics.
