When tragedy struck the shores of Israel, leaving hundreds of civilian lives claimed, injured or missing, the renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dynai Eilig felt compelled to respond. Although a resident of Vancouver, his heart and homeland lay in Israel.
“I owe it to my children to teach them there are moments in life that demand active involvement,” remarked Eilig. “Life doesn’t permit us the luxury of being mere spectators.”
In a quieter hospital environment than the tumultuous previous week, Eilig recounted his experiences, illustrating the harsh reality with anecdotes of hardened surgeons weeping openly. The magnitude of the trauma and loss brought even the most seasoned professionals to tears.
Eilig’s daily routine has been dominated by surgeries, each a consequence of the unexpected onslaught by Hamas that resulted in a staggering loss of more than 1,400 lives and a multitude of injuries.
“Injuries inflicted by bullets, sharp objects or explosive devices. All injuries we’ve treated result from the war, and they are extremely complex,” explained Eilig.
Eilig paints a harrowing picture of a young woman he treated who had been attending Israel’s Supernova Music Festival, a scene of horrific carnage where around 260 lives were brutally extinguished.
Recalling the gruesome details of her injuries, Eilig confessed the emotional toll of the situation rendered him incapable of meeting the gaze of the victims or their families.
In an environment of intense acrimony between Israel and Hamas, Eilig maintained a physician’s objective perspective, treating even injured fighters from Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by many countries including Canada. He echoed the sentiment of medical ethics: “From a medical standpoint, the process is neutral and immaculate.”
Back in Vancouver, his wife, Dr. Mor Cohen Eilig, voiced her simultaneity of pride and fear for her husband. Mixed within her own apprehensions were fears for the welfare of their children, who were showing reluctance to attend school given the rising antisemitism in their vicinity.
In response to growing security concerns, the local authorities in Vancouver have heightened their vigilance around Jewish establishments, apprehending an individual promoting hate speech outside a Jewish school last week.
Despite the grim circumstances in Israel, Eilig sought solace in the unity displayed by his colleagues of diverse faiths. “Irrespective of one’s faith- Muslim or Jew, all rallied together in service to the victims. The universal effort to aid is indeed heartening,” stated Eilig.
Committed to his oath as a healer, Eilig expressed his resolve to persevere in Israel until his services were no longer required, reuniting with his family remaining a distant dream.
