A birth at Hadassah took place under the blaring siren that marked the launch of Operation Am K’Lavi (Rising Lion), Israel’s strike on Iran.
Major N., a company commander in the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade, arrived from Khan Younis just in time for the birth of his daughter at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem at a chilling moment — late Friday night, under the siren warning of the Iranian threat. The officer, a career soldier, was given only a few hours off and accompanied his wife, Ora, through the emotional process.
Ora, a medical intern, and N. live in the Har Homa neighborhood of Jerusalem. Parents to two children, they worked to time the induction of labor so N. could be present for the birth. c
“The amazing staff in the delivery rooms at Hadassah Ein Kerem were sensitive and really understood the situation. They made an effort to help me schedule the induction. The midwives understood my wish to give birth during this specific window of time, and while N. was on his way to the hospital, they began preparing me for labor induction,” Ora recalls.
She was already in labor with her husband by her side when the siren began to sound.
“It was something completely different and unusual. The sound didn’t fit the moment I was in. We understood that something serious was happening, and it was frightening, but the delivery rooms here at Ein Kerem are removed from all the panic and tension outside,” says Ora. “Here, you disconnect and focus on bringing life into the world — the fears stay outside. We were able to concentrate on what really matters.”
Ora shares that the staff was extremely sensitive throughout the birth and recognized the gravity of the moment.
“We were lucky to have a wonderful team — Devorah, the midwife and Naomi [Jones]. They were amazing — attentive, calm, and caring. They helped us stay focused during this powerful experience. Deep down, I knew that they too were personally dealing with the situation, maybe even needing to comfort their own children at home, but they were there for us with their whole hearts,” she says while recovering in Maternity Ward D, holding her newborn daughter in a zero-separation room.
They had already chosen the baby’s name. “We had picked a name before the birth and agreed on it,” says N., “but after the baby was born last night, we knew we had to choose a different one — inspired by the historic event our country experienced.”
After just a few hours, he returned to his soldiers in Khan Younis. “After all, it’s not every day that Israel strikes Iran.”
Pictured here: The newborn with her mother, father and midwife Naomi Jones.
This story also appeared in Hebrew in Israel Hayom.
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