About Eliyahu Balmes

Eliyahu Balmes is a teacher in the northern city of Tiberias where he lives with his wife and six children. On top of his busy work schedule and making time for his family, Eliyahu also volunteers as an EMT with United Hatzalah. He finds that this “work,” which he has been doing for the past 16 years, brings a unique sense of personal satisfaction. He sees his family who supports him as full partners in lifesaving

One call in particular has always stuck out in Eliyahu’s mind: “I responded to the call of an unconscious man. When I arrived I noticed a rather extensive “tribe” of children of all ages crying and frantic at the sight of their father near death. I blocked out the distraction and focused on the technical steps that I was trained for and had the tools and experience needed.  I managed to return a pulse even before the ambulance arrived at the scene. Each instance of life saving is its own reward, but this one was extra special, knowing that I was saving 17 children from being orphaned from their father.”