Jaffa Road terror attack brings donation of 3 'ambucycles'

Three Chicago Jews donated an ambucycle in memory of each of the three victims.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
ambucycle 224 88 (photo credit: United Hatzalah)
ambucycle 224 88
(photo credit: United Hatzalah)
Three Jews in Chicago were so upset by the the attack by an east Jerusalem bulldozer driver on the capital's Jaffa Road on July 2 that they donated three ambulance-on-motorcycles (ambucycles) to United Hatzalah first aid organization. This week, families of the victims gathered for a celebration of brotherhood and the saving of life. The voluntary organization's Eli Beer was in Chicago when the attack occurred. After being briefed by United Hatzalah volunteers who had been on the scene, he was asked by local Jews what they could do to help. He explained that during terrorist attacks, large swathes of the city become impassable to conventional vehicles, thus the solution is the ubiquitous United Hatzalah ambucycle that can weave in and out of traffic. The fully equipped mopeds speed a trained medic and his lifesaving equipment wherever needed. Elliot Weiner, his brother Larry and Jeffery Aederm each donated an ambucycle in memory of each of the three victims. In a moving ceremony held Monday at United Hatzalah's headquarters in Jerusalem's Romema quarter, families of the victims met the volunteers who responded to treat or attempt to treat their loved ones and others wounded in the attack. In addition, the families met and thanked Jeremy Aaronson, a young tourist from England who saved baby Efrat Unterman from certain death after her mother, Batsheva, was killed in her car. He described the seeming randomness of events that placed him in position to save little Efrat. United Hatzalah medic Daniel Katzenstein, who was with the baby during the attack, presented the award.