The Moscow Jewish Community Center hosted a graduation ceremony upon the completion of the first Russian training course for the personnel of ZAKA, an international Jewish organization dedicated to rescuing disaster victims and identifying corpses.
The ceremony was opened by Rabbi Aaron Gurevich, the head of FJC Russia’s Department for Cooperating with the Military, the Ministry of Emergency Affairs and Law Enforcement Agencies, who noted that members of the Jewish community in Russia currently face various disasters and terrorist attacks. Against this background, the training of volunteers, who are able to render first aid, is not superfluous. “Today we have the opportunity to support first responders, the Emergencies Ministry and other authorities by providing transportation, food and medical aid to victims with the help of such volunteers,” said Rabbi Gurevich.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar noted that today's ceremony is the Jewish community’s first response to events that have recently shaken the country, including the bloody attack at the Domodedovo airport. “We might be told that the community is sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong, as this is supposedly the State’s sphere of activity. But, unfortunately, terrorism has now become a global phenomenon and therefore, the only way to deal with it is to make the fight against terrorism universal,” explained Rabbi Lazar. Noting ZAKA’s vast experience with victims, Rabbi Lazar said that the transfer of such experience should be beneficial. He recalled how, after the attack at Domodedovo, FJC representatives promptly arrived with food and volunteers to provide first aid to victims. In addition to helping victims of terrorist attacks, Rabbi Lazar underlined that graduates of this course will be able to help victims of various disasters.
Rabbi Lazar stressed that such assistance would be provided to all victims. "ZAKA works not only for Jews but for all victims in general. We need to work together to help each other and fight against terrorism,” he concluded.
Head of ZAKA’s International Department, Mati Goldstein, outlined the history of the organization, emphasizing that its objective is to “rescue those who can be saved and to respect the dead.” “We believe that the more people there are who know what to do, the more other people they can rescue. Therefore, our international division has decided to go to other countries to train people,” he stated.
The course, for which these graduates received their diplomas, was divided into three parts – helping the injured, ensuring respect for the dead, and communicating with rescue services.
In a brief and emotional speech, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Dorit Golender said that the first responders’ course offered by ZAKA in Russia is bringing two peoples one step closer to each other.
The diplomas were awarded to the graduates by both Rabbi Gurevich and Dorit Golender.