YS GOLD 

A social media post targeting a Hatzoloh volunteer who responded to a life-threatening emergency on Erev Shabbos has sparked widespread condemnation across the Jewish community, with many expressing outrage over what they describe as an antisemitic attack on a first responder who was rushing to save the life of a critically injured child.

The incident began when Hatzoloh volunteers were dispatched to Costco outside Monsey after a young child reportedly fell from a shopping wagon and suffered critical injuries. With every second potentially making the difference between life and death, responding members rushed to the scene to provide emergency medical care.

In the urgency of the response, one Hatzoloh volunteer parked his emergency vehicle in a parking space designated for handicapped drivers before running to render aid.

Thanks to the swift actions of the responding volunteers, the child was stabilized and is, thankfully, on the road to recovery.

Rather than recognizing the extraordinary efforts that helped save a child's life, a Rockland County resident took to social media with what many have described as a hateful, antisemitic, and inflammatory post criticizing the Hatzoloh volunteer over where his emergency vehicle had been parked during the response.

The author of the post has since been identified as Joe Morrison, who is affiliated with volunteer emergency services.

Despite the widespread backlash his comments generated, Morrison has shown little indication of backing away from his position. In a subsequent social media post, he acknowledged learning that an emergency call had, in fact, taken place but nevertheless maintained that someone should have moved the vehicle while the patient was being prepared for transport.

"I was advised there was a call there. Do not know what time," Morrison wrote. "I do still feel that while the patient was being prepped for transport the owner of the car or someone else could have moved it just around the corner to the side of the store."

His follow-up comments only intensified criticism, with many questioning how someone connected to emergency services could fault a fellow first responder for prioritizing the immediate care of a critically injured child over parking considerations.

Community members emphasized that emergency responders routinely make split-second decisions in life-threatening situations, and that their singular focus is reaching and treating the patient as quickly as possible.

The incident has also reignited concerns about the growing prevalence of antisemitic rhetoric online, particularly when directed at Hatzoloh volunteers, whose members routinely leave their families and businesses at a moment's notice to respond to medical emergencies throughout the community.