What happens when, just moments before a baby’s brit milah is about to begin, a siren sounds?
At Shaare Zedek, life and even the most precious moments, continue, no matter the circumstances.
Hadas and Itamar had planned to hold their newborn son’s brit milah at the hospital, as Hadas was still recovering in the Maternity Ward Everything was ready. Family, friends and staff had gathered in a special room lovingly arranged by the Shaare Zedek team.
Then the siren sounded.
The ceremony was immediately paused so that everyone could move quickly and safely to the protected space just next to the ward. And as soon as the all-clear was given, everyone returned – and the brit resumed without hesitation.
In another deeply moving moment. The family brought with them a special “brit pillow”, embroidered with the words: “In loving memory of Israeli hero Uriel Aviad Silverman הי״ד,” a close family friend who fell in battle in Gaza. The mohel, visibly emotional, shared that he had once circumcised one of Uriel’s close relatives – and now found himself performing another brit on a pillow dedicated to his memory, in the midst of yet another difficult chapter for Israel.
The ceremony concluded with joy as Hadas and Itamar revealed their son’s name: Micha Yair.
They expressed their heartfelt thanks to the medical and maternity teams for both the outstanding care and the swift organisation that made this special moment possible, despite the disruption.