Chaim Horowitz was enjoying a Shabbat meal with guests at his Jerusalem home when an emergency call went off on his communications device—someone had fallen unconscious just around the corner.

Without hesitation, Horowitz rushed from his meal, arriving at the scene within 90 seconds on his emergency response bike. 

He wasn’t alone; another United Hatzalah EMT, Yisrael Horowitz, reached the location simultaneously, followed closely by volunteer Naftali Shmerler, who had rushed straight from synagogue, his prayer shawl still draped over his shoulders.

The team swiftly made their way upstairs to find an unconscious woman without a pulse or breathing. 

In the choreographed precision that comes from rigorous training, Chaim immediately attached his United Hatzalah defibrillator while the other EMTs began administering CPR and oxygen. The first shock from the defibrillator proved crucial; the patient immediately began gasping for air.

Two United Hatzalah volunteer doctors, Dr. Shlomo Gensler and Dr. Aryeh Yaffe, swiftly arrived on scene. They quickly enhanced the level of care, connecting a monitor and administering medications while maintaining ventilation. 

Their collective efforts bore fruit as the patient began breathing independently before being transferred to the hospital for further care.

“It was an incredible moment, bringing a life back from the brink of death,” Chaim reflected. “The family was overwhelmed with gratitude, stunned to see her go from lifeless to talking as we transferred her to the ambulance.”

“When I returned home, my wife asked me what happened. I told her our rapid response and use of our United Hatzalah defibrillator had saved a woman’s life. There is no greater feeling.”