It is a far cry from the "bunker" (Israelis pronounce it
boonker), which still serves as a nerve center for the
volunteers of ZAKA Rescue and Recovery. Unlike the cramped
underground quarters of the bunker, ZAKA's main offices now
operate out of a converted apartment in Jerusalem's Ramat
Eshkol neighborhood.
The evidence of the organization's role in rescue and
recovery is everywhere, even outside of the apartment
building. A bright red scooter is parked outside, as are two
vans that help speed the volunteers to the scene of a
terrorist attack, traffic mishap or disaster.
What is remarkable is that the small group of administrators
and volunteers in the ZAKA offices are not just biding their
time, waiting for the next tragedy to strike. They are very
much in a strategic planning mode, working very closely with
Magen David Adom and governmental agencies to prepare for any
eventuality. Rabbi Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, ZAKA's director, is
busy checking on the progress of the smallpox immunization
program that involved all of his 700 volunteers throughout
the country.
Responding to a chemical and biological attack has become a
real concern as the possibility of an Iraqi reaction to an
American-led invasion increases, as does the growing threat
of terrorists using such weapons. "Our main focus is
preparedness," says Meshi-Zahav. That translates into
obtaining more and more scooters so that volunteers can reach
the scene of an incident quickly. ZAKA already uses more than
two dozen of the scooters throughout the country, but needs
well over 100 to offer coverage in Israel's cities. It also
needs at least three armored ambulances to respond to attacks
while under fire.
Preparedness also means being better equipped at the scene of
an event. That is why ZAKA, in a collaborative effort with
MDA, is installing first-aid boxes in institutions,
businesses, malls and other areas with large concentrations
of people. The "boxes" which will be installed by ZAKA and
equipped by MDA, will include oxygen, band-aids and other
emergency equipment and supplies. They also hope to train
more people to use the equipment but most importantly they
are designed to provide volunteers with quick access to the
rescue materials they need.
ZAKA leaders say that they are in demand all over the country
for first aid training and even in civil defense
preparedness. "People recognize that being adequately
prepared and equipped is a major priority in our current
environment," the ZAKA head says. But he is modest about the
fact that ZAKA has become the central address for all matters
that relate to preparedness. "I believe that there is a great
deal of trust in what we do," he says.
It was a relatively quiet day in Jerusalem, but you wouldn't
know it from the level of activity at the ZAKA offices. Even
when there is a welcome lull to the spade of suicide
bombings, there are the casualties on the road and even
ordinary emergencies that ZAKA volunteers tend to. Many
double as Magen David volunteers, but there is nothing more
shattering than the task of collecting blood and fluids at
the scene of a terrorist attack.
Seasoned volunteers like Ben Zion Oiring admit that they
never quite get used to the task, although they are admired
for their professionalism and dedication. "Our main
motivation is to save lives and to follow the Torah's
admonition for kovod hameis. It is perhaps this
dedication that has so intrigued the media of the world. They
can't understand why we would spend hours and sometimes days
just to bury a few bone fragments with the murdered."
No group has been more captivated by the work of ZAKA then
secular Israelis. Government officials and private citizens
praise the "angels" that perhaps help soften the blow of the
trauma that ordinary Israelis have found themselves in. In
the large stack of letters in the ZAKA offices are words of
praise from rabbonim about the emphasis on kovod
hameis, accolades from government officials about the
role of the organization in coping with the nation's tragic
experiences, and testimonials from law enforcement and rescue
agencies about the professionalism of the volunteers.
There is no amount of praise that is sufficient to describe
the dedication of the volunteers, who abandon their daily
life pursuits to do this holy work. It isn't as if they can
come home and discuss their day's work with spouses and
children. Instead, they must muster all of their reserves to
put their experiences in perspective. ZAKA helps by offering
them professional counselling and respite in resorts. But,
says, Yaakov, a young volunteer, "You always hope that this
will be the last."
Just as terrorism has brought a new dimension to the lives of
Israelis, so have these men. They have demonstrated to
ordinary Israelis that good ultimately triumphs over evil and
that hope for a brighter day is just around the corner. At
the Ramat Eshkol headquarters of ZAKA, you can't help but
feel that these extraordinary benevolent actions will lead to
better times.
