Though there is almost never a dull moment in Israel, there are still special days that remain embedded in our memories, when we all become one big family, when individuals' tragedies become our own and of the entire nation.

I am referring of course to the recent end to the Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev saga, when they returned to us in black caskets, after the horrible emotional torture perpetrated by Nasrallah and Hizbullah on us all. We watched those dramatic moments on live TV, and yet even just seconds before they were delivered the Hizbullah spokesman-without batting an eyelash - still maintained that their condition was not known! And then we heard on the radio that the bodies were in such a horrible condition that identifying them was very difficult. On such a day we feel anger and frustration at having surrendered to the kidnappers' demands, yet on the other hand perhaps in our weakness lies our greatness: We are so sensitive to everyone's life and even to the bodies of our people, just as it says: All Jews are comrades! We can at least hope that Gilad Shalit will still see the light of day and come home safe and sound.

Before the day's events, I wanted to tell you about my "magic bed" in the pediatric emergency room. All of you that have visited me where I work in the pediatric emergency room have seen the sound-light apparatus developed by Israelis meant to calm and entertain children, lower tension and fear as well as distract them…The Cutler Foundation under the direction of Rob Adler donated the money for its purchase, which has turned one of the beds into a "magic" bed.

Children not only calm down from it, but are also actually healed via play and fun. This week a young child was brought in screaming in pain and totally unable to walk. It was decided to admit him, since for hours we just couldn't improve his condition. I therefore decided to try and treat him with the "magic bed" as I call it.

The crying child could not ignore the changing lights and flashing colors, the fish he causes to swim and all the other features. While distracted by all this, I was able to examine him without screaming or tension and to relax his muscles. After around an hour on this bed he started to laugh and even managed to run and was released, happy, gay and jumping up and down. And this isn't the first time; I've discovered the marked success when treating autistic children on this bed. Just think: the generosity of a check written and signed in far off Worcester helps cure a child in an emergency room in Afula on the other side of the Atlantic! Could anything be more wonderful?

So on a slightly more positive and optimistic note of this wonderful story, thanks to our mutual cooperation, I'll end by thanking you all.

Hoping for better days for the Jewish People and Israel,
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Yehudit Antonelli