The Pulse The AFMDA NewsletterSummer 2013 • Issue 1NortheaSt editioN Spring 2013 • Issue 1

Pillar of Defense recap Lessons for the future: Preparedness and response In November, the line between “home front” and “front line” became blurred in Israel as months of rocket attacks culminated in Operation Pillar of Defense. MDA paramedics ran right into the war zone to save lives.

In this new landscape, where Jerusalem is as much of a target as Sderot, MDA is confident it has learned lessons in preparedness and flexibility that can carry over to whatever threats the future may bring.

“I can’t tell you for sure that we could respond to any given threat. But I can say that MDA will be able to deal with unseen emergencies and scenarios that we have not experienced yet,” said Yoni Yagodovsky, MDA director of international affairs.

Indeed, during the eight-day conflict MDA workers immediately adapted to the rocket fire. Dispatch operators working out of bomb shelters sent hundreds of ambulances to answer thousands of calls. MDA also increased blood collection to ensure there would be safe blood for both routine emergencies and injuries from rocket attacks.

MDA first-responders treated 419 injured people, including 20 soldiers. Sadly, six victims could not be saved.

“We have to make sure all of our offices have bomb shelters, that our ambulances are not all in one place, and that we have protective gear — body armor and helmets — for workers who are rushing to help people who are outside,” said Yagodovsky, wasting no time in think-ing about how to prepare for the next mass emergency. ■

“MDA will be able to deal with unseen

emergencies and scenarios that we have not experienced yet.”

OperatiOn pillar Of Defense By the numBers

Operation Pillar of Defense lasted 8 days.

Urban areas suffered 58 direct rocket hits.

350 MDA personnel were active in the field under fire.

450 Life Support Ambulances and Mobile Intensive Care Units responded to rocket attacks.

1,506 rockets were fired at Israel.

Nationwide, 885 MDA ambulances were operating in Israel and responded to 11,500 incidents.

Terror in Boston: Emergency response used MDA know-howMDA was among the first organizations to offer assistance to Boston’s emergency responders after the deadly terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon. While MDA was not needed on the ground, its expertise came into play immediately after the explosions. Kurt Schwartz, undersecre-tary for Massachusetts Homeland Security and Emergency Manage-ment, arrived on the scene minutes after the attack.

“As I walked among the wounded and dead, I couldn’t help but think of Israel; what I saw instantly reminded me of so many images of IED [improvised explosive device] attacks in Israel. It is something that I never wanted to see in Boston,” Schwartz said.

“I traveled to Israel in December 2011 with Homeland Security and emergency medical services personnel. Much of the focus of the trip was on Israel’s experience with IEDs and terrorism, and we made visits to several hospitals and to MDA’s headquarters. What I learned and saw in Israel helped me in my response to the IED attacks in Boston.” ■

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Regional RepoRt

NYC

Ido Aharoni, Israel consul general, thanks AFMDA donors

More than 75 loyal AFMDA supporters attended a recent donor recognition reception at the Manhattan residence of Ido Aharoni, consul gen-eral of Israel in New York.

Attendees at the February 20 event included a number of ambulance donors, members

of AFMDA’s dynamic Young Leadership Group, and representatives from the Mashadi community of Persian Jews in Great Neck, N.Y., who are currently raising funds to sponsor an ambulance.

Aharoni briefed attendees on social and political developments in Israel, and Prof. Eilat Shinar, MDA blood services director and advisor to Israel’s Ministry of Health, spoke about the need for a new Blood Services Center to improve MDA’s blood services network in Israel. ■

NYC

Virtual blood drive a real successMore than 50 young professionals attended the January 2013 AFMDA Virtual Blood Drive inaugural event at Union Square’s SideBAR lounge and raised more than $5,000 — a sum that enables MDA to collect, process, and deliver 100 units of blood to Israelis.

“We’re proud to embrace this cause,” said Sigalit Nagiar, a member of AFMDA’s Young Leadership Committee. “There are few things so central to the health and safety of Israel’s people than the emergency and blood services of MDA.” ■

Philadelphia

Remembering Gertrude Brooks HankinAt Congregation Beth Or, in mid-March, 400 Hebrew school students welcomed an Israel-bound ambulance. The ambulance, sponsored by Madeline Nappen along with her brothers, Mark Hankin and George Hankin, in honor of their mother, Gertrude, made another appear-ance later that day outside Congregation Beth El. That event celebrat-ed the support of the local chapter of Christians United for Israel, led by Pastors Liz DeFrain and Steve DeFrain. ■

Northeast editioN

NYC

Gaby Ferman Lehrer named inaugural chair of ALCBefore Gaby Ferman Lehrer, a New York City attorney and real estate investment manager with family ties to MDA, accepted the position of inaugural chair of AFMDA’s New York/New Jersey Advisory Leadership Council (ALC), she had three requirements.

“It had to help Israel, it had to have an effective and immediate impact, and it had to be cross-generational,” Lehrer said. “AFMDA was perfect. How do you argue with saving lives?”

Appointed by AFMDA National Chairman Mark D. Lebow, Lehrer will lead the newly created ALC as it seeks to raise funds and visibility to benefit the lifesaving work of MDA in Israel. Among its immediate goals are to recruit major donors, identify new funding sources, and help open new geographic areas for fundraising.

“I wanted to be involved with an organization at a deeper level and do more than simply make donations,” Lehrer said of her decision to lead the ALC.

Lehrer and her husband, Mark (also an ALC member), have strong, multigenerational links to MDA. Their support began as a direct result of Gaby Lehrer’s mother’s dedication to the organization and the State of Israel. Since 2010, members of the Lehrer and Ferman families have donated two ambulances, a motobridge command and

control unit, and an upgrade to an MDA station’s safety security system. The Lehrers’ children are also involved, and the family rode in their donated ambulances during the 2011 and 2012 Salute to Israel Parades. ■

“AFMDA was perfect; how do you argue with saving lives?”

Gaby Ferman Lehrer (top row, middle) with members of the Ferman and Lehrer families at a recent ambulance dedication.

AFMDA’s young leaders at Manhattan’s SideBAR lounge.

Left, Ido Aharoni, consul general of Israel; right, Prof. Eilat Shinar, MDA blood services director.

Madeline Nappen and her grandson Brandon.

3The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel

A special prayer at the Western WallMDA ambulance takes critically ill man on emotional journey

What began as a routine transport of a patient for a medical test became a very poignant journey when an MDA ambulance crew granted his wish to visit the Western Wall, perhaps for the last time.

David Schneer — an elderly, bedridden man with a malignant disease — was scheduled for a medical test at a Jerusalem hospital in early January. An MDA ambulance team picked up Schneer in Tel Aviv, trans-ported him to the hospital, and was slated to take him home afterward, one of the many services MDA provides each day to thousands of Israelis.

The trip to the hospital and the test went as planned. But as the crew prepared Schneer for the return home, he turned to MDA emergency medic Yoni Uziyahu and said quietly, “I want to go to the Western Wall.”

Considering Schneer’s physical condition, it was not an easy request to grant, requiring special authorization and the involvement of the MDA medical team and security personnel at the Western Wall.

Schneer told the MDA team, “I am a believing religious person and cannot even get to the synagogue. Because of my illness, there’s a chance I will never again be able to get to the Western Wall.”

In light of Schneer’s special request, authorization was granted. From a stretcher, Schneer put on tefillin, mouthed a silent prayer, and tenderly placed a small note between the ancient stones.

Uziyahu, the MDA medic, later observed: “I have been in MDA for 12 years now. I have treated thou-sands of people and transported many in the ambulance, but I have never been part of such an emotional and touching experi-ence. As a religious man, Mr. Schneer enabled me to carry out a very big mitzvah. Standing next to him, so close to the Western Wall, we were both moved to tears.”

On the trip home, Schneer could not stop thanking the medical team for giving him the opportunity to pray at the holiest place for Jews — perhaps for the last time in his life. ■

David Schneer fulfills a wish at the Western Wall with the help of Yoni Uziyahu and the MDA medical team.

“Standing next to him, so close to the Western Wall, we were both moved to tears.”

MDA paramedic helps woman deliver twins…over the phoneMDA’s dedication to saving lives in Israel includes helping new lives begin.

An Israeli woman expecting twins, Meital Shiri, was home alone when she suddenly went into labor despite being only 34 weeks preg-nant. Panicked and unable to get to the hospital, she gave birth to the first child alone. At that point, she had the presence of mind to call MDA, the one organization she knew would immediately help.

Maya Aloni, the MDA paramedic and dispatcher who took her call, told Shiri how to handle the newborn and guided her through the initial phases of delivering the second child — while simultaneously rushing an ambulance with MDA paramedics to Shiri’s home.

During the conversation — which was recorded, like all emergency calls, and later replayed on Israeli television — Aloni calmly directed Shiri while providing emotional support and making the stressful situation more manageable. Within minutes, Shiri’s husband, Ilan,

arrived home and Aloni gave him instruc-tions as well. Very shortly after that, MDA paramedics arrived, delivered the second baby, and then took mother and newborns to the hospital, where the preemie twins were placed in incubators. All are now in good health.

“At MDA, they teach us to function coolly and professionally,” Aloni said. “My role was to keep the mother calm, reassure her, and be sup-portive until the ambulance arrived.”

And now, Israel’s newest twins will forever have Aloni — and her MDA training — as part of their lives. ■

Paramedic Maya Aloni, above, featured on Israeli TV news after guiding Meital Shiri, right, through a home delivery of twins over the phone.

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From the FroNt LiNes: Mda iN actioN iN iSrael

Tel Aviv

MDA paramedics help avoid a “cat-astrophe”Did you know that MDA paramedics save not only injured Israelis, but also their furry friends?

At a house fire in Tel Aviv this past December, MDA paramedics were relieved to encounter no fatalities and just a few victims of smoke inhalation, including a disoriented and staggering cat, strug-gling to breathe.

MDA first-responders, ever resourceful, sprang into action, quickly administering oxygen to the felled feline. In a few minutes, the cat

appeared to recover and walked away under its own power, none the worse for wear. Of course, the cat did not show any gratitude, lest it be mistaken for a dog.

The cat, which did not give its name, declined to be interviewed and did not disclose how many of its nine lives had been used up in escaping the fire. ■

Gift Of life By the numBers

The blood center has 250 employees.

The center collects 295,000 blood units each year.

4 products are created from each blood unit: red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate.

Transfusions can be provided to 3 people from one unit of blood.

MDA provides 100 percent of the Israel Defense Forces’ blood needs and 97 percent of Israeli hospitals’ blood needs.

All nine lives intact: Inez Nochanovich, an MDA paramedic, administers oxygen to a felled cat.

Every day, MDA bloodmobiles are stationed around Israel.

People volunteer to give blood.

The blood is brought directly to the MDA National Blood Services Center.

There, it’s tested to ensure patient safety.

Red Blood Cells Platelets Plasma Cryoprecipitate

1

2

3

4

5

6

Then it’s separated into fourcomponents, each requiring different processing and storage procedures.

Blood components are sent to hospitals according to their requests and transfused into patients.

Each blood transfusion means the difference between life and death.

BLOODMOBILE

Blood Means Life

5The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel

Technological advances, such as this mobile command and control center, allow MDA to save lives practically anywhere and anytime.

MDA’s high-tech heroicsInnovations keep MDA ahead of the curve in emergency response

When GPS tracking became standard on all MDA emergency-response vehicles in 2001, Ido Rosenblat thought he had hit the jackpot.

The technological leap forward revolutionized the way Rosenblat, director of MDA’s National Command and Control Center, could save lives in Israel. For the first time, he could connect a victim to the nearest ambulance or paramedic with pinpoint accuracy. Countless lives have been saved as a result. Little did Rosenblat know, GPS was just the beginning.

In the decade since, technology has played an expanded role in MDA’s work. In the lifesaving business, where every second counts, MDA sees it as a responsibility, and not a luxury, to be on the cutting edge of innovation. It reinforces this commitment by leveraging products flowing out of Israel’s robust high-tech sector into its own

research incubator, a sort of R&D department the public hardly sees but always benefits from.

As it did with the GPS system, the division creates and develops specifications for its needed technologies, such as the new C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence) system, which lies at the heart of MDA’s National Command and Control Center (Mamlam in Hebrew). The comprehensive system streamlines various databases into two easy-to-navigate screens that dispatchers use when a “101” emergency call comes in to any of MDA’s 11 regional call centers.

“The advantage of innovating in-house is that we know how to address the needs of the organization. And, as the people working in the field, we know how to develop and operate the best possible systems. It promotes efficiency,” Rosenblat said. ■

To find out how the C4I system saved an Israeli baby’s life, or to learn more about MDA’s high-tech heroics, visit www.afmda.org.

With pinpoint accuracy, countless lives

have been saved.

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Regional RepoRt southeast report

Florida

Area hero joins MDA during Pillar of Defense

When Parkland, Fla., resident Jeremiah Cann saw what was going on in Israel dur-ing Operation Pillar of Defense, he did the only thing he knew how to do: he went to Israel to help. Cann, a trained paramedic, dropped everything and rushed to Israel to save lives as a volunteer with MDA.

Working around the clock amid rocket, missile, and mortar attacks in southern Israel, Cann was the only Floridian in the group of 21 American MDA volunteers. However, unlike the others, who came as part of a delegation of New York paramed-ics, Cann came alone.

“I did it just because it was the right thing to do,” said the soft-spoken Cann. “It’s in my heart to help, and it’s something I wanted to do.”

Cann was deployed to Netivot, in southern Israel, where he immedi-ately began treating everyone from children in shock to injured Israeli soldiers. “This defines who he is,” said Ruth Cann, Jeremiah’s mother. “He has a lot of Israeli friends and he’s a rescuer with a big heart. He really gravitates toward doing good things in the world.” ■

“I did it just because it was the right thing to do.”

Above, from left, Susan Shulman-Pertnoy, Jacqueline Goldman, Nina Saslove, and Barbara Kay at the Palm Beach Gala.

From left, Ina Rae Fox, Yoni Yagodovsky, and Neil Fox at the Boca-Delray Community Event.

Florida

Setting new standards for supportAFMDA’s hugely successful winter 2012–2013 events raised millions for MDA, setting a new standard for the Southeast Region. Dinners and galas in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura, and Sarasota honored some of the community’s leading supporters and philanthropists.

The Celebration of Life Gala in Palm Beach attracted 400 guests to the Mar-a-Lago Club and raised $2.5 million for Israel’s National Blood Services Center, including a $1 million founder’s gift from honorees Barbara and Jack* Kay. Ambulances were also sponsored.

The newly expanded Boca-Delray Community Event paid tribute to Ina Rae and Neil Fox while celebrating the 100th ambulance dedication by the St. Andrews Country Club, the most of any community in the U.S. Eileen and Michael Goldman were lead sponsors of the 100th ambulance. Lorrilyn Saex sponsored the club’s first emergency motorbike.

Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations and president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, spent the day with AFMDA on January 23. After a key donors breakfast at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, he spoke at the dedication of a Mobile Intensive Care Unit by Bernie and Ruth Mintz at Addison Reserve. He end-ed the day at a reception hosted by Bruce and Sandy Hammonds.

The annual Diamond Circle and Porto Vita events in Aventura raised nearly $1 million and produced three ambulances. The Diamond Circle dinner paid tribute to the legacy of Margaret Morse and her famous Margaret Morse Tours. The Porto Vita dinner honored Phyllis and Mike Levin for their tireless support of MDA and the State of Israel and the Boca Pointe community sponsored its 18th ambulance.

In Sarasota, esteemed local philanthropist Gloria Moss and the Moss family were honored at a reception at Michael’s On East. The event, “Afternoon Reception: A Conversation with Nehemiah Dagan,” also launched the Angels Among Us campaign with a goal to sponsor a new lifesaving ambulance. ■ *of blessed memory

The Celebration of Life Gala raised $2.5 million

for Israel’s National Blood Services Center

Ina Rae and Neil Fox with Eileen and Michael Goldman at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton.

7The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

Regional RepoRt

Hollywood

Professor Eilat Shinar visits L.A.California was recently treated to a special visit from MDA’s director of blood services, Prof. Eilat Shinar. During her stay in Los Angeles, Prof. Shinar visited AFMDA National Board members Les Handelsman and Ann Lesser. Later that same day, Prof. Shinar was hosted by Regional Board member Gaby Bashner for lunch before making a trip to meet col-leagues at the Cedars-Sinai Blood Center in West Hollywood. Prof. Shinar wrapped up her visit to Los Angeles at a reception in Beverly Hills at the home of Dr. Isaac and Mrs. Shahin Eshaghpour. ■

Los Angeles

A communal ambulance dedicationAFMDA’s Western Region’s November 18 ambulance dedication represented more than a gift to the people of Israel. It was also the culmination of a commitment by an entire community. The ambu-lance, dedicated at Yeshiva Gedolah in Los Angeles, was a communal gift led by AFMDA Los Angeles Board president Barak Raviv and supported by 13 other generous donors. ■

San Diego

Dr. Mark Moss is latest Bennett Humanitarian Award recipient

In October, Dr. Mark Moss be-came the latest recipient of the Marla Bennett Humanitarian Award for his passionate support of the San Diego community. Since 2004, the award has honored the life of Marla Bennett, a young San Diego woman who was one of nine people killed in a 2002 terrorist attack in a cafeteria at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. ■

Los Angeles

Bar mitzvah boy acts well beyond his ageThe traditional bar mitzvah ceremony usually includes the words “Today, I am a man.” Los Angeles native Robert Leeds, 13, took those words to heart and made an adult-sized gesture to MDA.

In lieu of gifts, Robert asked the 800 guests at his bar mitzvah to make a very special commitment to saving lives in Israel: help him purchase an ambulance for MDA.

His efforts paid off, and then some. Robert was able to sponsor two ambu-lances — one Life Support Ambulance and one Mobile Intensive Care Unit.

Seeking to make a positive impact on his community and Israel, Robert turned to his father, Fred, and his mother, Dina, an AFMDA national board member, for guidance. Robert decided to donate his bar mitzvah gifts toward an ambulance on behalf of the city of Sacramento, which had just cemented a sister-city relation-ship with the coastal town of Ashkelon in

Israel, an area hit hard by Gaza missile attacks.

In making his generous gift, Robert be-came the youngest person ever to donate an ambulance to MDA and was present-ed with AFMDA’s Maimonides Award in recognition of his accomplishment.

“I wanted my bar mitzvah to be more than just a party,” he said. “Becoming a man to me meant standing up for my brothers and sisters in Israel and helping to cushion the blows they experience on a daily basis. I wanted not only for the ambulance itself to save actual lives, but I also wanted the very action of sending it to be the message that you do not stand alone, and we love you.” ■

“I wanted my bar mitzvah to be more than just a party.”

WesterN report

From left, Dina Leeds, Charlie Leeds, Alisa Leeds, Robert Leeds, and Gideon Lustig, Israel’s deputy consul general to the Pacific Northwest. Back row, Fred Leeds.

From left, Barak Raviv, president, AFMDA Los Angeles Board; Joan Handelsman; Prof. Eilat Shinar; Les Handelsman, AFMDA National Board member.

From left, Dr. Mark Moss with Linda and Michael Bennett.

Robert Leeds receives the Maimonides Award from AFMDA CEO Arnold Gerson.

From left, Michelle and Marc Rosenbach; Stanley Black; Barak Raviv, president, AFMDA Los Angeles Board; Jona Goldrich; Patricia Moch; Judson Moch; and Regina Kytmanova.

8

midWest report

Chicago

Climbing toward the peak of charityWhat do Israel’s MDA and Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro have in com-mon? Before you say “not much,” meet Howard Zavell. Climbing the highest peak in Africa was a long-held dream for Zavell, 45, a Highland Park, Ill., attorney, and his two sons, Benjamin, 12, and Max, 15.

The Zavells — all experienced climbers as well as enthusiastic supporters of MDA — decided to combine their two passions by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in a campaign they called “Operation Climb MDA.”

Climbing the 19,000-foot mountain required 18 months of prepara-tion and planning. But ultimately, Howard’s goal was to raise aware-ness for MDA’s lifesaving work.

“I wanted to expose more people to MDA,” he said. “A lot of Jewish people in my age group don’t know much about it.”

Their adventure started without a hitch as Howard, his two sons, and their cousin began climbing Kilimanjaro in late December. Unfortunately, altitude sickness got the best of the intrepid hikers and they aborted their ascent short of the summit. But the numbers were very healthy: $30,000 raised via the “Operation Climb MDA” website and word of mouth.

Howard says he and his sons are already planning on climbing Kilimanjaro again to help MDA, possibly next December. And the next time, they’ll be more determined than ever. ■

The Zavells — all experienced climbers as well as enthusiastic supporters of MDA — combined

their two passions by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in a campaign they called “Operation Climb MDA.”

From left, Howard Zavell with sons, Benjamin and Max, and cousin James Milin.

Detroit

Dr. John J. Mames Chapter-Michigan Region honors Mames familyThe Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region held its annual dinner last fall to remember its late leaders, Eva and Dr. John J. Mames. More than 250 community members came together to remember the Mames’ 45-year history of local leadership. Since 1967, the chapter has raised more than $30 million in support of MDA’s lifesaving work. Proceeds from the dinner sponsored a Mobile Intensive Care Unit dedicated to Eva and John, additional ambulances, and paramedic scholarships. ■

Cleveland

Feldman is AFMDA’s first motorbike sponsorBarry Feldman, president of Cleveland’s David Mark Berger Chapter and a national board member, made history by spon-soring the first-ever motorbike in the United States for MDA. The motorbike was dedicated in Israel this past fall. Feldman, who dedicated the motorbike to his godchildren Zoe and Ethan, is a longtime AFMDA donor, and his mother Phyllis is remembered on an MDA ambulance. ■

Cleveland

Gil Hoffman makes the case for MDAThe David Mark Berger Chapter of AFMDA part-

nered with Temple Emanu El for an enlightening event with Gil Hoffman, chief political correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post. Hoffman’s visit to Cleveland, after a similar reception for AFMDA’s Philadelphia region, came just before President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel. It focused on Israel’s security and emergency preparedness. ■

Barry Feldman, the first U.S. motorbike sponsor, with MDA Director General Eli Bin.

From left, Arnold Gerson, AFMDA CEO; Manny Charach, chairman of the Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region; Cari Immerman, regional director; Andrea (Mames) Rosenblum; Sydney Rosenblum; Craig Rosenblum; and Dr. Robert Mames.

9The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel make an impact. save Lives.

MDA Legacy Circle: Your lasting connection to IsraelOf all the ways you can support MDA’s lifesaving work, perhaps none are so personal as legacy gifts.

When coordinating your estate planning, of course you’ll want to ensure the well-being of your family and loved ones. That’s as it should be.

At the same time, we know many donors are so committed to MDA that they’ve made provisions in their wills to continue their support even after they’re gone. Many

feel a legacy gift is a lasting tribute to their lifelong generosity, Jewish heritage, and connection to Israel.

Your provision of a legacy gift entitles you to membership in our new MDA Legacy Circle, and we want to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of its array of exclusive benefits.

If you’ve included AFMDA in your will, or are considering it, please contact Jeff Lipkin, toll-free at 866.632.2763 or jlipkin@afmda.org so we may acknowledge your commitment to MDA and welcome you into the MDA Legacy Circle. ■

AFMDA’s new Beacon Society celebrates ambulance donorsIf ambulances are the staple of MDA’s operations, then ambulance sponsors are the lifeblood of AFMDA’s work.

With that in mind, AFMDA recently developed the Beacon Society, a new initiative that acknowledges individuals who’ve made saving lives in Israel a reality by sponsoring an ambulance. Inclusion in the Beacon Society has its benefits, including insider briefings and VIP receptions.

So far in 2013, generous AFMDA supporters have sponsored more than 40 ambulances, many of which have already been shipped to Israel. “We are well on track to meet or exceed the 2012 total of 93 sponsored and/or shipped ambulances,” says Arnold Gerson, AFMDA’s CEO.

New ambulances are constantly needed

MDA’s 900 ambulances are the workhorses of the fleet, augmented by more specialized lifesaving vehicles including motorbikes, helicopters, and bloodmobiles. On average, an MDA ambulance has a lifespan of three to five years, and 20 to 30 percent of MDA’s fleet must be replaced annually. Additional units are needed to serve new areas as the population grows and expands.

AFMDA is the largest single provider of ambulances for Magen David Adom. The Beacon Society currently has 217 members who‘ve donated at least one ambulance over the past five years. To learn more, contact Bonnie Finley, AFMDA’s ambulance coordinator, toll-free at 866.632.2763 or bfinley@afmda.org. ■

10

ContaCt

AFMDA National Headquarters352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400New York, NY 10001Toll-Free: 866.632.2763Tel: 212.757.1627Fax: 212.757.4662info@afmda.org

Northeast Region352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400New York, NY 10001Toll-Free: 866.632.2763Tel: 212.757.1627Fax: 212.757.4662northeast@afmda.org

Greater Philadelphia AreaPO Box 52158Philadelphia, PA 19115Tel: 215.947.7007philadelphia@afmda.org

New EnglandPO Box 600714Newton, MA 02460Tel: 617.916.1827new-england@afmda.org

Southeast Region2100 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Suite 205Hallandale, FL 33009Toll-Free: 800.626.0046Tel: 954.457.9766Fax: 954.457.7705southeast@afmda.org

Palm Beach3300 PGA Blvd., Suite 510Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410Tel: 561.835.0510Fax: 561.835.9410palmbeach@afmda.org

Midwest Region3175 Commercial Avenue, Suite 101Northbrook, IL 60062Toll-Free: 888.674.4871Tel: 847.509.9802Fax: 847.509.9807midwest@afmda.org

Ohio/Kentucky/Michigan/ Western Pennsylvania23215 Commerce Park Road, Suite 306Beachwood, OH 44122Toll-Free: 877.405.3913Tel: 216.342.4032Fax: 216.342.4034central@afmda.org

Western Region6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 650Los Angeles, CA 90048Toll-Free: 800.323.2371Tel: 323.655.4655Fax: 323.655.4659western@afmda.org

AFMDA IsraelTel: 057.761.4220israeloffice@afmda.org

www.afmda.org

www.facebook.com/afmda

www.twitter.com/afmda

www.vimeo.com/afmda

www.youtube.com/user/AFMDA09

AFMDA NATIONAL OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

National ChairmanMark D. Lebow

Chief Executive OfficerArnold Gerson

Vice Chair, DevelopmentDaniel Dobin

Vice Chair, Public RelationsJacqueline Goldman

Vice Chair, Projects and AllocationsGershon W. Trimpol

TreasurerFraeda Kopman

SecretaryPaula Blaine Cohen

Audit ChairJeffrey I. Lipschutz

DirectorsSeymour BriefDonna Fried CalcaterraMartin CohenSteven EinhornBarry FeldmanNeil FoxLes HandelsmanStuart A. JacksonBarbara KayDina LeedsAnn LesserMitchel A. MaidmanMorris W. Offit

Honorary ChairmanJoseph Handleman, z”l

The Pulse • The AFMDA Newsletter • Issue 1Chief Marketing Officer: Rob RosenthalManaging Editor: Erik LevisSenior Designer: Claudia CarlsonCopy Editor: Liza Schwartz LevineContributing Writer: Jim Julier

Do you know the story of someone whose life was saved by MDA? Send an e-mail to info@afmda.org, with “Newsletter” in the subject line.

If you want more updates from AFMDA, please go to www.afmda.org/enews-sign-up and sign up for our eNewsletter.

Opposite page, paramedic Oren Avitan at the 2010 Carmel forest fire. He radioed in a multi-casualty incident and ordered 70 ambulances to the scene. Among the many burn victims were personal friends of Oren. He stayed through the night, treating and evacuating other victims and helping the police and firefighters.

11The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel make an impact. save Lives.

11The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

Non Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit #1235Brooklyn NY

www.afmda.org

352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400New York, NY 10001

■ Chicago’s Great Vest Side Semi-Annual Dinner: May 13, 2013For more information, call 888.674.4871 or e-mail midwest@afmda.org.

■ Detroit Annual Dinner: September 22, 2013Honoring over 35 young adult volunteers. For information, call 877.405.3913 or e-mail central@afmda.org.

■ Los Angeles Gala: October 6, 2013AFMDA’s Western Region will host its first annual gala dinner in Los Angeles. For more information, call 800.323.2371 or e-mail western@afmda.org.

■ Northeast Region Mission to Israel: October 12–21, 2013Join AFMDA on its Fall 2013 Mission to Israel, October 12–21. This mission offers the rare chance to get to know Israel through the eyes of MDA’s lifesavers. For more information, call 866.632.2763 or e-mail northeast@afmda.org.

■ Cleveland Annual Gala: October 27, 2013Benefitting the new MDA National Blood Services Center. For information, call 877.405.3913 or e-mail central@afmda.org.

■ JFNA General Assembly: November 10–13, 2013Join us in Jerusalem as we celebrate Israel’s 65th birthday with a convoy of American-sponsored ambulances. For more information, call 866.632.2763 or e-mail info@afmda.org.

■ Aventura, Fla., Diamond Circle Event: November 24, 2013For information, call 800.626.0046 or e-mail southeast@afmda.org.

■ New York City Northeast Region Gala: November/December 2013For information, call 866.632.2763 or e-mail northeast@afmda.org.

■ Palm Beach Celebration of Life Gala: February 23, 2014For information, call 561.835.0510 or e-mail palmbeach@afmda.org.

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