The missile hit in old Carmel • The power of Haifa civil organization • "In the moments of darkness we saw light"

The missile hitting the Templar building on Keller Street in Haifa on 16/11/24 was the scenario for which the emergency teams of the old Carmel neighborhood were preparing, ordinary citizens who met for the first time a few days after the oath in October and with great resourcefulness created an inspiring civil response mechanism. Their response to the event in real time and emergency It is a model of mutual guarantee and the power of a community.

How and how did the organization begin?

The representatives of the neighborhood's residents, Yael Nahshan-Reiner (retired, attorney at the 'Bnei Zion' hospital) and Ron Belchner, say: "We met a group of strangers, who live in the same neighborhood, one night by the light of a lantern. We all came following a vague invitation on WhatsApp, a few days after the massacre and the outbreak of the war," says Ron, a leading member of the organization and a long-time resident of Carmel. "The feelings were mixed. We had a strong desire to take part and contribute to the action, but the goal was not yet clear, except for the understanding that we must contribute and strengthen the sense of neighborhood security as an independent and cohesive unit that knows how to respond in an emergency." 

That evening, a nucleus of volunteers was born, which steadily expanded and became the neighborhood emergency team of the old Carmel, which now has dozens of members, who operate a dedicated WhatsApp group with the residents, in which there are over 700 members in a geographical area that includes Keller Street, Sderot Hzvi, Rach The Scouts, Nitzanim St. as well as the small alleys between them and even some of the streets of the Kabavir neighborhood the nearby 

The volunteers in the neighborhood emergency team adopted the model of Magan Haifa (the parent body for the neighborhood teams) and organized themselves into dedicated action teams: general headquarters, a patrol team, a fire and rescue team, a medical and resilience team (staffed by dedicated professionals from the neighborhood), a group of building committees and more. The volunteers spent a lot of time formulating procedures, improving preparedness, and learning while doing. They initiated an interface with the authorities and the rescue forces, who provided support, and professional training in firefighting, medicine and rescue. 

After the teams were organized, the neighborhood went on a fundraising campaign for the residents, in order to purchase equipment that would allow the teams to operate: pipes to operate the hydrant (a fire hydrant is also called a 'fire hydrant' or hydrant. This is a means of helping to protect against fires, when the water source is provided by the local authorities) , medical equipment, and more. The teams rallied, kept in continuous contact with the volunteers and made sure to remain competent during an emergency. This is within the framework of exercises and trainings held during leisure time in the neighborhood garden and with the assistance of bodies such as the Home Front Command, fire brigade, Haifa Municipality and more. 

An explosion in a quiet neighborhood

As you know, on 16/11/24 an explosion rocked the quiet neighborhood - a missile hit the Beit Midrash on Keller Street. "We couldn't believe it, but here it happened - this is the moment of truth," says Ron, "within minutes the members of the neighborhood emergency teams arrived on the scene, At the same time as firefighters, ambulances, the police and the frontline command. Are there any casualties? Luckily not, but there was a lot of panic in the neighborhood." 

The emergency teams are essentially the initial response factor, as well as many security and rescue forces that very quickly took over the scene. During the event, the neighborhood teams realized that their greatest advantage is in knowing the residents and the environment. Instead of focusing on the arena, they adapted their activities to respond to the community envelope.

The men and women of the neighborhood resilience team took in the residents who were evacuated from their homes into the cold night; families and the elderly. They provided mental support and guidance in the uncertainty they found themselves in. The rest of the emergency teams patrolled the neighborhood, going door-to-door to make sure that no neighbor was in trouble. 

In the morning of Sunday, the residents of the neighborhood woke up to learn the extent of the damage. Ron says: "We found many buildings that suffered damage from the hit and shrapnel. Shattered windows a long way from the Beit Midrash, and apartments with a lot of destruction and shocked residents, some of them, according to the nature of this neighborhood - very old."

The emergency team mobilized for a new mission - mutual guarantee, while providing first aid to the residents who needed to clear the debris and seal temporary windows in their homes, as well as at the same time psychological assistance to some of the victims. 

The residents of the old Carmel were involved in these activities, when with the support of the Haifa Municipality they were joined by the Rabin Preparatory School and the Tidhar Boy Scout Tribe. The volunteers helped residents clean windows, overcome bureaucracy with the authorities, exchange recommendations for professionals who are supposed to provide a quick response, and even baked cakes to warm the heart and comfort the soul. 

"We were all in shock and shock," says the owner of a property on Keller Street, "we were helped by a wonderful team of volunteers from the neighborhood who came to clean our windows, seal the windows and help us find mental help. I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart... indeed, in the moments of darkness we saw a little light." .

Groups of mental resilience, extinguishing, evacuation, medical treatment personnel - were established during October 2023. When all the citizens were "in a panic" and with a sense of urgency. Mobilization in the old Carmel neighborhood was amazing, because since then it has remained intact and now, in the current event, it has stood the test of bitter reality.

Light in the moments of darkness

"In the moments of darkness, you can see the light - thanks to residents like Ron Belchner, a sensitive, smart and humble person who is 'one of the volunteers in the nation', a person of the kind that is impossible without them - as well as attorney Yael Nachshan-Reiner as well as all the women and members of the dedicated teams, for example like Naomi Sheroyar, a resident of the neighborhood and a member of 'Team Hosan' who brought meals she had prepared. We should also mention the Haifa Municipality staff who worked tirelessly in a professional, matter-of-fact manner while providing courteous, sympathetic and empathetic service as much as possible.

In the joint civic activity, the residents and 'veteran Carmel neighborhood volunteers' demonstrated the victory of the spirit and the resilience of unity, the realization of the concept of evil and mutual guarantee, thereby inspiring and sowing optimism and comfort in the neighborhood. May this be a model for other neighborhoods in Haifa, with great hope that there will be no need to use it.