A suburban Philadelphia Jewish emergency medical service officially made its debut this week as Main Line Hatzolah held its inaugural community event in Lower Merion, located just a short drive from Lakewood, bringing together residents, rabbinic leadership, and local first responders to celebrate the launch of the new volunteer EMS organization.

The evening began at 7:30 p.m. with a half-hour social hour, during which community members met Hatzolah responders alongside the chiefs of local police, fire, and EMS while enjoying refreshments. At approximately 8 p.m., attendees gathered for divrei bracha and Torah from Rabbi Avraham Shmidman, rav of the Lower Merion Synagogue and host of the event, and Rabbi Avraham Steinberg, rav of Young Israel of the Main Line and posek for Main Line Hatzolah.

Opening remarks were delivered by Sid Laytin, who recognized the many dignitaries in attendance, including municipal officials, emergency service chiefs, the va’ad harabbanim, and the organization’s board of directors. Laytin also paid tribute to several individuals whose efforts were instrumental in bringing Main Line Hatzolah to life, including 15-year-old EMT Tzvi Rudin, now serving as operations captain leading a team of 15 responders; Avraham Vegh, who oversees technology, security, and infrastructure; and Moshe Starkman, the organization’s executive director.

Laytin went on to describe the origins of Hatzolah in the United States and the local circumstances that led to the creation of a dedicated Hatzolah service for the Lower Merion and Main Line communities.

The program concluded with remarks from Starkman, who outlined how Main Line Hatzolah operates, when residents should call, and the organization’s mission. “Hatzolah is fueled by ahavas Yisroel. It is the ‘secret sauce’ that makes Hatzolah work and has evolved the brand into the single largest volunteer EMS organization in the world,” Starkman said.