Operation Roaring Lion (referred to as Epic Fury in the US) began just days before the festival of Purim. But Israelis are not letting the situation dampen the festive spirit.
Dressing up for Purim. Dr. Michal Mekel, Director General of Rambam joins in the festivities (far right). Photography: Rambam HCC
Amid sirens and challenging conditions above and below ground, staff have brought Purim cheer to patients. In the Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel, many employees kept the tradition and dressed in costumes themselves. Dozens of of newborns were wrapped in adorable Purim costumes: princess outfits for the girls and cowboy outfits for the boys.
At the same time, in the fortified underground daycare center on the minus-2 level of the emergency hospital–established with the assistance of Haifa Municipality—hundreds of children arrived proudly dressed up as fairies, superheroes, characters from their favorite Disney shows, and more.
Purim was celebrated across the campus with dozens of staff members dressing up and sharing Purim gifts—Mishloach Manot—with their colleagues and Purim treats like Oznei Haman distributed to patients and their families.
Even in the most complex moments, the spirit of Purim reminds us that resilience, compassion, and community endure. Safety, lifesaving care, laughter, and small acts of kindness bring comfort to patients, families, and staff alike.
