NEWSZAK A September 2012 / Tishrei 5773 / No 23

MICHAEL MIRILASVILI, Chairman, ZAKA International Board Of Directors

RAFAEL AHARONI President, ZAKA, Hong Kong Macau and China

YAACOV PERI Chairman, ZAKA Board of Trustees

CHIEF RABBI LORD Jonathan Sacks Patron of British Friends of ZAKA

YEHUDA MESHI ZAHAV ZAKA Chairman and Founder Terror Attack 1300 kilometers from home

To donate: http://www.zaka.us/Donations.asp Dear Friends of ZAKA, Thank you for your continued support of ZAKA and our team of more than 1500 dedicated volunteers. We welcome you to the newest edition of NewsZAKA, bringing you up to date with some of our latest activities. Please start this year off by making a tax-deductible donation to ZAKA - to enable our volunteers to continue responding to tragic incidents across and abroad. The horror of the terror attack in Bulgeria will remain in our minds for a long time. Once again, the ZAKA International Rescue Unit was first on the scene offering assistance to the injured and to the grieving in their hour of need - while coordinating the logistics to provide the proper respect and returning the deceased to Israel, all in accordance to Jewish halacha. For many of us in ZAKA, the events of the past few months will never be forgotten. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to ZAKA - secure donations can be made via our websites www.zaka.us (dollars); www.zaka.org.uk (sterling) or www.zaka-fr.org (euros). May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Shana Tova u’Metuka, a happy and healthy sweet new year. Yehuda Meshi-Zahav ZAKA Chairman

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NEWSZAK A 2 May, 2012 Meron: Volunteers worked until noon locating hundreds of children

Every year, during the Lag B’Omer celebration on Meron, hundreds of children lose their parents. Due to overcrowding and congestion, it has become increasingly more difficult to locate the children. This Lag B’Omer, ZAKA volunteers received 362 cases of missing children, including an exceptional case of an infant misplaced as well.

ZAKA volunteers drew lessons learned from past years and organized search triage for various activities during Lag B’Omer events. Volunteers maintained a united front of aid to parents who misplaced their children in the crowd of 600,000 people. Parents were recommended to place ID tags on their children’s’ clothing – in special instances ZAKA sent out a PA system announcement in search for children or parents.

Along the crossroads, teams of ZAKA volunteers stood until noon and distributed 21,500 special 'ID tags'. This innovative idea involved dispersion of tens of thousands of ZAKA ID tags which included the child’s information and contact phone numbers.

Along with locating 362 youth, a ZAKA tent was located in the center of the mountain providing first aid response to dozens of people dehydrated from the heat.

ZAKA Chairman, Yehuda Meshi-Zahav noted the success of ZAKA’s response, "Thank God, with the distribution of badges we prevented many incident and saw dramatically fewer cases of lost children."

NEWSZAK A 3 "We took out body after body – it wasn’t ending"

Eight members of an orthodox family of nine from the village of Bar Yochai were killed in a car accident while traveling through Tiberias on Tuesday. The car flipped over, plummeted down a cliff, and caught fire – leaving their 7 year old daughter the only survivor.

The police received a call from the father of the family, reporting brake failure, as they traveled from the Golani Junction to Tiberias. The call center informed Tiberias police about the situation. The conversation closed with shouts and noises of a vehicle rolling over.

At 1:25, MDA received a call directing them to the accident on Menachem Begin, near the intersection of Ulpana, Tiberias. Initial reports confirmed a minivan losing use of their brakes, falling over a cliff, and catching fire.

Rescuers arrived at the scene and found a seven year old girl outside of the car, seriously injured. She was treated at the scene, then taken to a Poria hospital in Tiberias, and was only transferred to Rambam hospital in Haifa during the

NEWSZAK A 4 night, once she was fully conscious.

After many failed attempts, the fire fighters managed to put out the blaze only to discover that the other eight passengers were killed. The girl, who was thrown out through the windshield from the impact, notified the authorities that all the passengers in the car were members of her family - living in a village in the north. Those killed were her parents, aged 42, and their six children - 17 years old, twins aged 16, 11, 9, and a 3-year-old toddler.

Chezki Farkas, ZAKA operations officer, coordinated the activities of ZAKA at the chilling scene said: "This is one of the most difficult events that I have treated in my life. When we reached the accident, we continued extinguishing the fire and started rescuing the bodies. We removed one body, then another, and another - it just wasn't ending. Every second felt like an eternity. My team and I extracted the bodies and started the holy work of Kavod Hamet (true virtue). We worked at the scene for over four hours."

ZAKA volunteer Shay Elmakis, said: "as we handling the casualties I tried to comprehend the magnitude of the disaster that killed an entire family. This makes our job excruciatingly difficult - the thought of a family on their way home, killed, survived by just one little girl. We dealt with the Kavod Hamet (true virtue) and collected all the findings for burial. ZAKA volunteer staff from the northern region worked together until the morning at the scene. "

Rabbi Anshel Friedman, the Chaplain and the Commander of ZAKA North, was at the scene of the accident to coordinate with police procedures and in order to accelerate the process of identifying and releasing the deceased for burial.

"This is very hard and inconceivable," says Friedman. "An entire family killed in accident – and their 7 year old girl miraculously survived.”

NEWSZAK A 5 May, 2012 ZAKA joint emergency training with the Israeli and U.S. armies In extreme emergency conditions, such as extensive damage from a missile attack or a large scale earthquake, the Israel Home Front Command responds to the crisis in conjunction with the unit of the U.S. Army. To prepare for potential crisis situations, the Israeli army, ZAKA volunteers from Israel, and our ZAKA International Unit underwent extensive training with the US Search and Rescue Unit.

In May, the team participated in a two day simulation drill at a destruction site in Jerusalem – including methods of tunnelling in the destruction to reach, rescue, and treat survivors, while simultaneously removing the deceased. Working shoulder to shoulder ZAKA volunteers, soldiers of the Home Front Command, and National Guard troops shared their knowledge and experience from worldwide disaster events.

Mati Goldstein, the international unit commander said: "I'm really happy to have been given the opportunity to work with these two and to be part of such a large scale exercise that develops the operational level of our units."

Chief Officer of the search and rescue unit of ZAKA, Chaim Otmazgin coordinated the evacuation and identification of the deceased; the commanders of the National Guard received a briefing on the explanations of the treatment of the deceased from the Jewish aspect and explained the reason for Kavod Hamet (respect for the deceased).

ZAKA US unit commander, Zvi Gluck said: "This is the first time we participated in the exercise of this magnitude with so many different forces, we learned a lot about rescuing at a destruction site with a combination of forces."

NEWSZAK A 6 Course for the volunteers of the 'ZAKA El Al Unit'

On June 24th, dozens of ZAKA El Al Unit volunteers attended EL AL’s annual day of training on aviation crisis in Israel and abroad. The ZAKA El-Al Unit is an elite unit of forty men with the most accumulated experience in both rescue operations and major disasters around the world. The EL AL Unit, led by the Commander of the International ZAKA Unit, Mati Goldstein assists EL AL in the event of any crisis. ZAKA EL AL volunteers underwent training at Ben Gurion Airport in June, as part of El Al’s annual day of professional development training. ZAKA volunteers participated in workshops, lectures, and guided tours on the EL AL operational concept, emergency preparedness, aviation crisis procedures, case studies, and integration of operations between ZAKA volunteers and EL AL. The training was attended by senior officials in charge of EL AL’s crisis event management operations, Vice President Benny Lavana, Yehudit Garsiro (head of Customer Service), Rabbi Yohanan Hayut (EL AL, Director of Religious Services), Jacob Caspi (Director of Welfare and Social Services), Mr. Yehuda Oren (EL AL, Director of Crisis Events), Chaim Otmazgin (Commander of the ZAKA special units), and ZAKA Chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav. The course was met with an impressive response on the high level of training – demonstrating the seriousness of their duty to ZAKA. The course closed with dissemination of EL AL identification and a ceremony where volunteers wrote letters in the EL AL Sefer Torah.

NEWSZAK A 7 July, 2012

“Bulgaria” On Thursday, July 20th, three The ZAKA delegation to the burned buses stood outside the Burgas Airport had one purpose, terminal in the Burgas airport – to collect every drop of blood surrounded by blood stains, body from the scene of the attack and parts, debris, and other objects return them for burial in Israel. and material. Teams of Bulgarian After long hours without sleep, police and security forces stood negotiation with representatives in shock and confusion under the of the Bulgarian authorities, and burning sun. The horror of the collection of body parts within a attack, so familiar to Israel was 100 meter radius of the explosion, equally as foreign to Bulgaria. ZAKA officials accomplished their purpose and returned to Israel. The first group of the ZAKA delegation began preparing for Shaul Kamisa-Raz (Israel's departure to Burgas on Wednesday ambassador to Bulgaria) worked night, just hours after the attack together with representatives claimed the lives of seven people, of the military rabbinate, and arrived in the morning. They MDA representative, one were soon followed by a second representative from the forensic group of ZAKA volunteers. police, and Mati Goldstein

NEWSZAK A 8 (Commander, Zaka International respect to the deceased. Unit) to maneuver through the Goldstein approached one situation without provoking of the Bulgarian officers, international incident. without ambassadors and foreign ministers, without As the ZAKA delegation waited argument, the ZAKA team permission to enter the scene, received permission to enter Shimon Grossman Shemesh, a perimeter and do their job. ZAKA spokesperson discussed the clear similarities between Everyone began to quietly this attack and attacks in examine the scene. The bus was Jerusalem, "We see a great strewn with duty-free liquor amount of damage to the bus, bottles, scraps of burnt clothes, with a long lasting fire – we can accessories, shoes, and other see that it will be difficult to personal items. Together, they identify the bodies. Currently, began to collect the remains we are only allowed to enter and placed them special bags. the scene in twenty minute The scene was filled with increments; we collect human tranquility – the ZAKA remains, send them to the volunteers photographed hospital where initial analysis is and collected, collected facilitated by representatives of and photographed. No one ZAKA with the military rabbinate flinches at the smell; there is no and forensics. This is only the cynicism or pain. Simply put, first step; our work to identify all they collected scraps of life. fragments with hard evidence takes a longer period of time. Berel, a ZAKA volunteer was Our (ZAKA) end goal is to bring collecting parts when he was the dead home as quickly as approached by a police man possible.” that was not interested in cooperating with the ZAKA While the delegation continued effort. "They did not understand to wait for approval, they began why we insisted in picking organizing a time to pray. As up pieces of burnt flesh from they looked out on the scene the floor. As we approached they notice a Bulgarian cleaning the bus, the officer saw a shoe crew armed with brooms, of a little boy sitting on the preparing to clean the scene. pavement. We stopped and ZAKA volunteers recognized stared. He looked over at me that a decision needed to - I knew that he understood. happen, and that decision He softy thanked me and needed to be permission to expressed his admiration of our properly clean the scene with special unity.”

NEWSZAK A 9 May, 2012 5 Rishon LeZion Teenagers Join the ZAKA Dog Handler Unit

In May, another group of Rishon Lezion youth successfully completed the search and rescue dogs’ course as part of ZAKA’s "K-Lev Tov" program engaging 80 teenagers in search and rescue of missing people. This project focused on empowerment, personal responsibility, and social leadership. The boys participating presented remarkable ability during their first three months of training. Last week, students were tested in a forest rescue simulation, the students exhibited ability to properly discipline their dog and use him to locate missing persons in a state of distress. Each participant in turn was required to give the order to "Search" and successfully locate the simulated victim hidden in the woods. Student worked extensively with their dog during the months leading up to this exam. Following the exam, students received their diploma and monogrammed shirts from ZAKA Chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, Chaim Otmazgin (commander of ZAKA unit), Zvi Ndolni (Security Adviser of the Rishon Lezion Ministry of Defense Project Center), and Dodik Mazur (Zaka Dog Handler Unit Commander) This joint education project between ZAKA and the Municipality of Rishon Lezion saw overall improvement in participants’ academic achievements and social leadership. ZAKA Chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav congratulated the boys on joining the greater Zaka family, "Students, become active volunteers in area events - you need to express everything you have learned to save live.”. Dodik Mazur, commander of the Zaka Dog Handlers Unit explained: "It may be hard for others to imagine how much good these boys will now bring to themselves, the community in Rishon Lezion, and the people of Israel in general. I'm sure that each of the graduates will make himself a leader amongst his peers and serve as a positive example for other youth currently dealing with crisis."

NEWSZAK A 10 June, 2012

Sea Scooter donated to the ZAKA Divers Unit

A modest ceremony was held at ZAKA's Divers Unit headquarters in Petach Tikva upon the inauguration of a professional sea scooter. The scooter was generously donated by Andrew and Judith Sanders from Toronto, Canada. Commander of the ZAKA Divers Unit, Chaim Otmazgin explained: "The scooter is a relatively small albeit powerful machine. It helps the divers get to a location under water twice as fast - a diver without a scooter can stay under water for a maximum of 40 minutes, by using the scooter one can dive up to an hour and a half. The device has a motor with strong power that can work underwater and dives to a depth of 60 meters.” "It also improves the search and rescue quality," Otmazgin continued, "When the diver has to concentrate on navigation, the search quality is reduced. With an engine, the divers are able to focus their search.” Otmazgin also noted that the scooter carries up to three divers at one time, the minimum number of divers needed for a search. ZAKA's diving unit has more than two hundred professionally trained divers, some of which are veterans of the Naval and 669 IDF specialist units. The unit responds to an average of twenty-five calls per year. Sea Scooter donated to the ZAKA Divers Unit

June, 2012

A modest ceremony was held at ZAKA's Divers Unit headqu upon the inauguration of a professional sea scooter. arters in Petach Tikva donated by Andrew and Judith The scooter was generously Sanders from Toronto, Canada.

Photo: Ilan Barzilay

vers at one time, the minimum scooter carries up to three di Otmazgin also noted that the f number of divers needed for a search. Photo: professionally Ilan trainedBarzilay divers, some o Photo: Ilan Barzilay F specialist units. The unit responds to an ZAKA's diving unit has more than two hundred Commander of the ZAKA Divers Unit, Chai which are veterans of the Naval and 669 ID 11 relatively small albeit powerful machine. It m Otmazgin explained: "The scooter is a average of twenty-five calls per year. NEWSZAK A twice as fast - a diver without a scooter helps the divers get to a location under water minutes, by using the scooter one can stay under water for a maximum of 40 motor with strong power that can workcan underdive up to an hour and a half. The device has a water and dives to a depth of 60 meters.” "It also improves the search and rescue qua has to concentrate on navigat lity," Otmazgin conti ion, the search quality is nued, "When the diver divers are able to focus their search.” reduced. With an engine, the March, 2012 5772 Jerusalem Outstanding Volunteer Award, awarded to Menashe Ben Moshe 5772 Jerusalem Outstanding Volunteer Award, awarded to Menashe Ben Moshe In March, ZAKA volunteer, Menashe Ben Moshe received the Outstanding Volunteer Award and special citation from Mayor Nir Barkat and the Jerusalem District Police for March, 2012outstanding acts of volunteerism in Jerusalem.

In March, ZAKAAt the volunteer, annual Menashe ceremony Ben held Moshe on receivedWednesday, the Outstanding March 23rd Volunteer at the Jerusalem City Council, Award and special citation from Mayor Nir Barkat and the Jerusalem District Police for outstandingcity acts council of volunteerism members, incommanders Jerusalem. of security and rescue forces of Jerusalem recognized dozens of outstanding policemen, firerd atfighters, the Jerusalem Magen City David Adom volunteers, ZAKA At the annual ceremony held on Wednesday, March 23 Council, cityvolunteers council members, and Ichud commanders of securityvolunteers and rescuefor excelling forces ofin their role of determination, Jerusalem recognizedcourage, bravery, dozens ofprofessionalism, outstanding policemen, leadership fire fighters, and personal Magen example.David Adom volunteers, ZAKA volunteers and Ichud Hatzalah volunteers for excelling in their role of determination, courage, bravery, professionalism, leadership and personal example.

NEWSZAK A 12 July, 2012 ZAKA Rescue Exercise at Masada National Park

For the first time, ZAKA participated in a large-scale and multi- sensory exercise including four civilian rescue units (Arad, Megillot, Dead Sea, and Etzion) at the foot of Masada.

The simulation combined a situation where Masada cable cars trapped 60 people while also simulating additional incidents of misplaced civilians. Due to a heat wave (45 degrees), the need heightened for a quick and smooth extraction in case of severe dehydration by the stranded passengers.

To make the exercise more complex, scenarios incorporated the extraction of a man confined to a wheelchair and a woman experiencing a heart attack.

The extraction units were trained to divide the numerous tasks and build a unified command for all participating units.

While rescue operations were underway for the passengers in the cable cars, the simulation continued with a report of two autistic children lost on a trip in the desert, the team needed to coordinate logistics to correctly respond to the new situation.

During the review of the simulation, ZAKA continued to stress the need to exercise consistent practices between the units in order to produce a common language and uniform practice when needed. ZAKA volunteers were acknowledged for their participation and integration of professional practice in this combined volunteer training simulation.

NEWSZAK A 13 Antwerp: This is not an attack - it's just an exercise

Yesodei Hatorah Elementary School in Antwerp seemed like a battlefield on Sunday: Sirens wailed, gunshots pierced the air, 60 wounded lay on the ground, Hatzala volunteers, volunteers from the ZAKA unit in Belgium, Chaveirim came running -- to the casual observer it looked like a terrorist attack.

The Jewish community of Antwerp initiated the emergency exercise together with the international unit of ZAKA - led by Shmulik Markovich. The International Unity is trained to respond to terror targeting communities abroad.

ZAKA and MDA officials traveled from Israel to participate in the exercise - including, the head of ZAKA International Unit, Mati Goldstein, the head of the ZAKA exercises, Yossi Frankel, and senior instructor from MDA. The exercise was designed to prepare the rescue organizations in Antwerp in the event of an attack.

The exercise started with the arrival of two terrorist to the Jewish school… a car bomb explodes, gun shots fire.

The exercise, which is the first of its kind for the Antwerp Hatzala team, was conducted in an orderly and professional manner. The team of volunteers learned how to extract the injured with the maximum speed to reduce casualties, triage the response, and other elements of mass casualty attacks.

Antwerp community leaders reassured the public that there was no specific imminent threat. NEWSZAK A 14