Yesterday, the city of Dimona, best known as the site of the Negev Nuclear Research Center, hosted a moving dedication ceremony unveiling United Hatzalah Square in memory of Yoel Suissa z”l. A devoted father of four and resident of Dimona, Yoel was a dedicated volunteer medic with United Hatzalah. In December 2022, Suissa was killed in an traffic accident.
Today’s ceremony was attended by United Hatzalah Founder and President Eli Beer, CEO Prof. Ehud Davidson, Dimona Mayor Beny Biton, senior municipal officials, United Hatzalah volunteers, and members of the Suissa family.
Those who gathered reflected on Yoel’s unwavering commitment, professionalism, and compassion, noting that he represented the very essence of volunteer medical emergency response. The newly dedicated square serves as a tribute to Yoel’s life, as well as to the impact of United Hatzalah’s efforts in Dimona and the service of United Hatzalah’s nationwide network of more than 8,000 volunteer medics who provide first, fast and free emergency care around the clock.
Eli Beer stated:
“We grieve together with the Suissa family and remember Yoel’s service and how he inspired people. Our volunteer medics drop everything at a moment’s notice to help those they do not know but require medical assistance. This square shows that Yoel’s service will never be forgotten, and that even in our deepest pain, we reaffirm our commitment to stand behind our volunteers and their families. This is why United Hatzalah continues to raise funds to help support the Suissa family over the year since Yoel’s accident.”
The United Hatzalah Square includes a memorial installation by artist Sam Philip. The artist chose to combine materials of striking contrast. The concrete and steel represent strength and resilience, alongside stone and ceramic, which express delicacy and soul. The combination of these traits best reflects Yoel Suissa’s character and the incredible impact of United Hatzalah’s mission.
Yoel’s wife, Efrat, is a social worker and a fully certified volunteer member of United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma & Crisis Response Unit. Together with her son, she is in the process of training as a medic in order to continue to follow in Yoel’s footsteps.
