Songs that help Hatzolah volunteers realign to a place of calm in the storm — and give an infusion of courage to keep going

A

s the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect every corner of the Jewish world, flooding the lines of Hatzolah dispatchers, these past weeks have shown Hatzolah volunteers’ 24/7 fortitude and devotion in a crisis that has upended our collective sense of security. As these heroes return from those wrenching calls and try to retain a level of balance and stability in their own homes, is there a song or niggun that helps them realign to a place of calm in the storm — and gives an infusion of courage to keep going?

Heal My Heart

If I were to go with one standout song it would be Ishay Ribo’s “HALEV SHELI.” I find the chorus in particular — “Verak Ata yachol lahafoch mispedi lemachol… Only You can turn my lament into dancing… Only You know how to reach my heart, to heal my pain…” — to be overflowing with emunah and chizuk.

Yona Baumann, Hatzolah Montreal

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 807)