* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
“Shalom Sivan,
My name is Leah Melamed, I’m a midwife at Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. At the beginning of the war, ten months ago, you interviewed me in the delivery room together with the dear midwife Hila Azulai.
On that day, I made myself a promise to update you regarding the ‘baby boom’ of which we spoke in that interview during those difficult days.
Births since the outbreak of the war were emotionally draining. Evacuees gave birth, those who survived the hell of October 7th gave birth, as well as those who were grieving the loss of family members. Every midwife was overcome by a wave of emotions, both joyful and sad.
And now, 10 months later, there is a different wave of births. I sense that there is something more in the air. Couples arriving now are those who decided to bring new life into the world at a time of crisis. This is a choice that from a certain perspective lacks all logic. How is it possible to think about bringing new lives into such a world?
When you asked me 10 months ago from where do I derive my strength, I answered that I draw inspiration from the Hebrew midwives in Egypt who had “reverence for God.”
They saw beyond the brutal decree of Pharaoh to throw all Jewish baby boys into the Nile. The midwives lived by one truth that exalted the value of life even at the price of endangering their own lives. The midwives knew then and know also today how to see growth from within challenge and crisis even when others have difficulty believing that such growth will indeed come.
Today I can say that I derive strength from the mothers I witness giving birth. From these women who can see into the future with the same strength displayed by their forbears in ancient Egypt. They remind me of Yocheved challenging Amram, her husband, who refused to bring other children into that world of Egyptian exile after Miriam and Aaron were born. She demanded that he rouse himself with newfound faith and have another child. The result was the birth of Moses.
I am attaching two photos. A wonderful couple from Kibbutz Nir Oz, Nofar and Amit Gore, taught me about hope alongside crisis. Their kibbutz was had suffered a brutal fate, with dozens murdered and kidnapped. I accompanied them throughout the delivery of their daughter, Eli. Amit is a farmer and after planting again in the fields of Nir Oz, he left a sack of potatoes that he grew on the kibbutz next to my front door. This was an expression of return to life, a first step of hope. I broke down in tears when I saw this gift next to my door. How my spirit gained strength from this gesture.
I asked them for permission to tell their story. There is also a triumphant photo of the family that I look at every day in our hospital’s delivery room. Perhaps it will give strength to others too.
Am Yisrael chai.”
