
Delivery at Hadassah Hospital-Ein Kerem took place under the blaring siren that marked the launch of Israel’s strike on Iran.
Major N., a company commander in the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade, managed to make it back from Gaza just in time for the birth of his daughter at Hadassah Hospital-Ein Kerem, which happened at a chilling moment – late Friday night, under the screaming sirens warning of an Iranian attack.
The officer was given only a few hours off and accompanied his wife, Ora, throughout the momentous event.
The parents of two other children, Ora, a medical intern, and N. tried to time the onset of labor so N. could be present for the birth. After weeks away from home due to his unit’s operations in Khan Younis, the couple reunited at Hadassah.
“The amazing staff in the delivery rooms at Hadassah-Ein Kerem were sensitive and really understood the situation,” says Ora. “They really made an effort to schedule the induction during N.’s short leave. 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 was already in labor with her husband by her side when the siren began to sound.
“It was something completely different and unusual,” Ora recalls. “The noise 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.
“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. 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 all their hearts,” she says while recovering in Maternity Ward D.
Ora and N. had already chosen the baby’s name, N. relates, “but after the baby was born, we knew we had to choose a different name – one inspired by the historic event our country experienced.”
The baby’s name is Shachar, meaning dawn – to express the renewal of light after the darkness that fell on October 7th.
“After all, it’s not every day that Israel strikes Iran,” N. says, before leaving his wife and newborn daughter to rejoin his unit in Gaza.
In the photo: Ora, N. and baby Shachar, with midwife Naomi Jones.
Photo: Hadassah Spokesperson’s Office