The job of being a paramedic in Israel is that the work isn't just the stuff of news horror stories
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The first thing Yaron Hyrowski wants people to know about the job of being a paramedic in Israel is that the work isn't just the stuff of news horror stories.

Yes, paramedics and emergency medical technicians in Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service organization care for victims of terrorist bombings throughout Israel, he said. And it is a tough job, wearing on body and soul. But there are rewards, too.

"After mass casualties, we have normal lives," Hyrowski said last Friday in Skokie. "We have normal rides like car accidents, heart disease, delivering babies. Delivering babies can be really good."

Dedication

And, he said, the spirit and dedication of medics in his organization, known as Magen David Adom, has strengthened and thrived despite - and possibly because of - the last few years of increased violence throughout the country.

Hyrowski is one of 32 Israeli medics who arrived in Skokie Aug. 31, guests of Skokie-based Magen David Adom USA., with a multi-faceted mission during the three weeks they will be in the United States (they leave Sept. 21).

The visitors' largest task is to plunge into intensive studies to improve their English skills, since English is often the most efficient language in which to tackle medical emergencies said Hyrowski's colleague Gil Moshkowitz.

"There are a lot of tourists and new immigrants who speak English and that don't know Hebrew who may need to use our services," Moshkowitz explained.

Although Israeli students study English from the fourth grade on, a lot of them lose their proficiency once they graduate from high school. This program is an attempt to reverse that skills erosion, and Hyrowski said he thinks it is having a positive affect.

"After only one week, some people have really improved (their English skills',", Hyrowski said. "They are better already, so how good will they be after the entire course?" he said.

Equally important, are chances for the medics to meet supporters of Israel and Magen David Adom activities throughout the North Shore, to let them know how important their aid really is. Paramedics attended a social event last Sunday at a Lincolnwood home. They spoke before students at Glenbrook North High School on Wednesday, and are scheduled to speak Sunday at Bnai Tikvah Congregation, 1558 Wilmot Road in Deerfield, and at Congregation Or Torah, 3800 W. Dempster St. in Skokie.

Additionally, they have toured Rush North Shore Medical Center emergency and trauma facilities, and hope to find time to work with Skokie paramedic teams, as well as visit Chicago hospitals such as the former Cook County Hospital, and Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center.

Different security

During the short time they have been in the U.S., Hyrowsky and Moshkowitz have seen how different security concerns are in this country. Moshkowitz, for instance, visited a mall and looked around for a guard to whom he could show the contents of his backpack, only to realize that what was a normal procedure in his native land just didn't happen here.

Gary Kenzer, executive director of communication for Magen David Adom USA, said he looks forward to future information swaps between Israeli medics and their American medical and rescue counterparts. For now, he said last Friday, he is delighted that new program is working so well, and on very short notice.

He and other Magen David Adom USA officials started working on it in July. It originally was planned for 16 paramedics, but grew to 32.

While they study, the young men and women (three female medics are part of the team, as is a Muslim Arab) are staying at a North Shore hotel. Magen David Adom USA officials are keeping mum on where the medics are staying and where they are studying because of security concerns, Kenzer said.

Although Magen David Adom USA has run similar smaller programs, such as sending youthful volunteers to Israel, this is unique "and hopefully the first of many," Kenzer said.

The American group, which has evolved from simply raising funds for ambulances and other items used by Israeli Magen David Adom crews, keeps in regular touch with Magen David Adom officials in Israel to find out what the latter group needs, either in materials or program support, Heller said.

Magen David Adom USA was formed in 1956 to support the Israeli Magen David Adom emergency service, blood drive and ambulance service - analogous to Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations elsewhere in the world although Magen David Adom does not belong to the International Red Cross. The Israeli organization is closely aligned with Israeli Defense Force medical services as well.

Hyrowski and Moshkowitz began their Magen David Adom work as teen volunteers. They both worked as emergency medical technicians during their stint in the Israeli army and decided they wanted to continue. Moshkowitz remembered deciding to do so in 1994, in the wake of a terrorist bombing that took place near his parents' home in the town of Afula. He now serves as a dispatcher in Tel-Aviv. Hyrowski

"I'd say the target of my life, the goal, is to serve the citizens of Israel," he said.

Hyrowski, who is married, was born in and works in Haifa. He has been in the profession for more than 18 years.

BY KATHY ROUTLIFFE