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The miracle that shaped Israel Prize winner Avi Rivkind’s life and career - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The article recounts the miraculous survival of a soldier, Shimon Ohana, who was declared dead on arrival after being shot multiple times during the Second Intifada.
  • Professor Avi Rivkind, head of Hadassah Ein Kerem's Shock Trauma Center and an Israel Prize recipient, defied medical expectations by ordering resuscitation efforts.
  • Rivkind's decision, described as 'heavenly inspiration,' led to the soldier's heart being restarted, saving his life against all odds.

Professor Avi Rivkind's receipt of the Israel Prize is a moment of national pride, but it is his profound act of defying death itself that truly captures the spirit of resilience and unwavering dedication to life that defines our nation. The story of Shimon Ohana, a young Border Police officer critically wounded during the Second Intifada, is a powerful testament to this spirit. In a moment where conventional medicine declared Shimon lost, Professor Rivkind's insistence on fighting for every last possibility, even when faced with skepticism from colleagues, embodies the core values we hold dear.

Bring him dead or alive.

— Prof. Avi RivkindRivkind's insistence to medics to bring the critically wounded soldier to the trauma room.

This narrative, as shared by Barbara Sofer, goes beyond a medical miracle; it is a story of human will, faith, and the extraordinary lengths to which Israeli medical professionals will go. Professor Rivkind’s description of his decision as 'heavenly inspiration' rather than a sixth sense speaks volumes about the deeply held beliefs that guide our actions, especially in the face of life-and-death struggles. It highlights a uniquely Israeli perspective where hope and determination often transcend the boundaries of the expected.

On this Independence Day, even as Avi Rivkind receives the recognition for his life’s work, he remembers as clearly as yesterday the moment he ordered his astounded staff to bring the curly-haired soldier back to life.

— Barbara SoferDescribing the significance of the event in the context of Rivkind's career and national holidays.

For us at The Jerusalem Post, this story is particularly resonant. It showcases not only the incredible advancements in trauma care pioneered in Israel but also the deeply ingrained sense of responsibility and the refusal to surrender, even when faced with the direst circumstances. Professor Rivkind's work, and Shimon Ohana's survival, serve as a powerful reminder of the preciousness of life and the indomitable spirit that continues to shape Israel's identity, even amidst conflict and hardship.

He calls it not a sixth sense but a moment of heavenly inspiration.

— Barbara SoferExplaining Rivkind's perspective on the extraordinary decision to attempt resuscitation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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