A life support ambulance for Israel was dedicated on Friday morning, January 17 at Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston. Donated to Magen David Adom, Israel’s national paramedic service, it helps fill the urgent need for equipment, especially since October 7, 2023. “There has been a huge increase in costs during the war; every emergency vehicle has been manned 24 hours, seven days a week, since the first minutes of the war,” explained Aryeh Myers, a paramedic responsible for international relations for the agency.
Members of the Goldklang family of Livingston were the guests of honor for their generous contribution. Myers explained that this type of ambulance is the workhorse of MDA’s equipment together with mobile ICU vehicles, ambucycles, boats and helicopters.
MDA responds to 1.5 million calls per year. It is not government-funded, relying on donations for all needs. Myers wants us to know: “American friends are directly impacting us on a daily basis. The support, kinship and warmth of your communities is helping.”
There are 200 ambulance stations across Israel and 33,000 volunteer paramedics and EMTs on call, with 350-400 ambulances regularly on shift at any given time, now increased to include the entire fleet of more than 1,400 ambulances, on call and ready. MDA created a virtual 911 system, developed with AI technology and used by Israeli police and fire departments. MDA also works with the Israel Defense Forces and its home-front command as an auxiliary medical arm.
Unfortunately, 18 ambulances were destroyed, and seven members of MDA were killed on October 7. To date, 36 staff and volunteers were killed either in service to the IDF or on duty as paramedics.
Since October 7, MDA has put together a team of 30 paramedics in a new project to cope with the emotional problems associated with the war. “Aware of the mental health issues, we want to be in a position to be able to respond in the same way we respond to physical needs,” explained Myers. There is specific training for first responders to these cases.
MDA’s milk bank was created in 2018, to provide breast milk for premature babies in the NICU. Today it assists mothers directly affected by the war, either due to stress, injury, kidnapping or as a result of being on reserve duty.
The Magen Project is a new initiative since October 7, gathering community-based response teams of medically trained staff with equipment. “We couldn’t do it without you, your warmth and unity,” Myers told the crowd.
MDA started in 1930, almost 100 years ago, and today youth volunteers begin in ninth and 10th grades to become trained as providers. Many on the management team have been with MDA for 30-50 years. Myers warmly remarked how MDA is the “backbone of Israeli resilience,” and how when he works on an ambulance he notices the inscription of the donor.
Marvin Goldklang, receiving an award for his family’s donation, spoke eloquently. “It was a family affair, part of something truly meaningful. This ambulance is in memory of those who perished on October 7 and in the hope that all the 98 hostages can be returned…. The Goldklang family is privileged to be involved.”
Rabbi Simeon Cohen of Temple Beth Shalom spoke about Parsha Shemot. Similar to Moshe’s basket, teva, the ambulance will save lives. He remarked: “The Goldklang family is historically generous to the community. We are moved by their donation. There is no greater value than to save a life, and we are so proud that their contributions will save many.”
This was Myers’ eighth visit to the U.S. since October 7. Speaking at Suburban Torah on Shabbat morning, he also referred to the week’s Torah portion. We are all in the same basket he explained; our unity and resilience are so important. When visiting communities, he is often asked how the people of Israel are doing. Myers described how Israelis are going about their routines throughout these non-routine times, always on a cliffhanger, similar to events in the Torah portions we are currently reading. He invites us to visit Israel soon! Please see afmda.org for more information and to donate.