Sunday evening, leaders from across Israeli society gathered for “Habama Shelahen,” or in English, “Her Stage”, a special gala event led by Dr. Miriam Adelson and Israel Hayom honoring women whose leadership, courage, and service have made a lasting impact on the State of Israel.
For United Hatzalah, the event carried deep personal meaning.
Dr. Miriam Adelson, together with Gitty Beer, wife of United Hatzalah President and Founder Eli Beer, presented a special award to the family of Ronit Elimelech Z”L, a dedicated volunteer medic from United Hatzalah’s Lavi Beit Shemesh chapter. Ronit was killed together with her mother, Sara, in an Iranian missile strike that hit Beit Shemesh on the second day of Operation Roaring Lion.
Ronit represented the spirit that defines United Hatzalah’s volunteers across Israel, especially its women volunteers, who balance family, careers, community, and emergency response.
“Ronit was often seen on the streets of Beit Shemesh in her iconic orange United Hatzalah vest, responding to medical emergencies or simply helping thoser in need,” said Eli Beer. “Her dedication to assisting women in sensitive medical situations served as an inspiration to many women. In just two short years since joining United Hatzalah’s Women’s Unit, Ronit became an essential part of the organization’s lifesaving network.”
The Growing Impact of United Hatzalah’s Women’s Unit
Over the past several years, United Hatzalah’s Women’s Unit has grown into one of the organization’s most important operational and community initiatives.
Today, more than 2,000 female volunteers , Jewish, Muslim, and Christian women from across Israel, serve as EMTs, paramedics, midwives, dispatchers, and mental health responders within the organization.
The unit was built on a simple understanding: regardless of the type of medical emergency, and especially in cases involving women and children, female responders can and should play a critical role. Women volunteers often provide lifesaving treatment while also bringing calm, trust, and cultural sensitivity into highly stressful situations.
Women medics can be found responding to cardiac arrest cases, births, slips and falls, domestic emergencies, and mass casualty incidents. Beyond the professional medical treatment provided, these volunteers also support grieving families, and advocate for vulnerable patients. They operate during regular emergencies as well as under rocket fire and during times of national crisis.
At United Hatzalah, these women are not symbolic figures. They are active responders on the front lines of emergency medicine in Israel every single day.
Eli Beer: “Ronit Embodied the Values That Hold Our Society Together”
Eli Beer spoke during the ceremony about Ronit’s legacy and the broader meaning behind the recognition.
“Ronit OB”M embodied in both her life and her death the values of giving and resilience that form the backbone of our society. This is a moment of moral responsibility to honor the women whose strength allows Israel’s home front to remain strong. The connection between United Hatzalah and the ‘Her Stage’ event is a tribute to all those heroes who chose lives of action and impact, even under fire. We will continue to embrace Ronit’s family and ensure that her memory and her path continue to light the way for us.”
His remarks reflected something many in the room already understood: the extraordinary network of women that play a central role in both United Hatzalah and Israel’s emergency response system deserve recognition and appreciation.
