Hatzola NW

Hatzola NW Buffet - feb 2018

The Hatzola Northwest event held at Allianz Park was the first ever public fundraising event since Hatzola’s inception in 1982. Over 1,000 people attended to show their support for Hatzola Northwest’s team, comprising some forty volunteer responders and complemented by a full clinical team, operators, dispatchers, and support staff.

The relaxed and cordial event was graced by the presence of a number of local Rabbonim, as well as the Police Borough Commander for Barnet, Chief Superintendant Simon Rose and representatives of the London Ambulance Service. Guests enjoyed a lavish buffet, catered by Reich’s, as well as music under the expert leadership of Motti Cohen.

A video presentation made especially for the evening was shown, depicting volunteers responding to calls, as part of their working daily schedule. The film also portrayed two separate life changing and moving interviews with survivors whose lives had been saved as a result of Hatzola attending to them at their time of need.

Over the years, Hatzola has evolved into a professional front line ambulance service, with highly trained volunteers and an inventory of the most up-to-date medical equipment.

Their budget has increased substantially due to the organisation having to register for CQC and to ensure policies and structures are in place that make them better and more professional. It involves more paperwork and more time spent on calls writing up reports etc. and being fully accountable.

The North West London community willingly acknowledged this in the production of a large brochure before the event and generously on the night.

The evening was introduced by chairman of Hatzola Northwest, Mr Shloimie Richman, and presentations were made to Dr Stuart Rosen – Medical Director, in appreciation of clinical guidance which he continues to provide for Hatzola Northwest and also to Kevin Cuddon, an advanced paramedic with the London Ambulance Service, who acts as Clinical Team Leader for Hatzola and who together with his team, provide the training programs and facilities for the membership. Presentations were also made to Shaul Orzel – Event Chairman, and to Eli Grossnass and Eli Sternlicht, part of the Event Committee.

Thanks were also given to the Rabbonim of Hatzola, Rav YM Greenberg, Rav A Heckscher, Rav M Rappaport, & Rav Sholom Segal, who who give up from their busy schedules to give regular shiurim, ensuring that every aspect of Hatzola is always run according to halacha and with the highest levels of shmiras Shabbos.

The guest speaker was world renowned speaker Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, of Ohr Naava in New York. Rabbi Wallerstein gave chizuk to the families of the Hatzola members and encouraged the kehillah in general to respect for the Hatzola volunteers. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices that they and their families when carrying out their life-saving role, being available day and night, regardless of what else is going on in their lives at the time. He recounted a beautiful and moving story about a blind person and the concept of carrying out the ultimate chessed by “creating windows within walls”.

Hatzola thank the volunteers of both Hatzola North London and Hatzola Edgware, who kindly provided local medical cover during the evening, enabling the volunteers of Hatzola Northwest team to partake fully in the event. They also thank CST for their security cover at this highly successful event.