Summer 2013 • Issue 1

The Pulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom

The Beacon SocieTy ediTion Fall 2013 • Issue 2

The Stars Come Out in LA AFMDA Inaugural Los Angeles Gala Raises Record $3.8M

It was a historic night on Sunday, October 6, at The Beverly Hilton as AFMDA’s first-ever Los Angeles Gala raised a record $3.8 million that will go toward MDA emergency medical services and the building of a new national blood center in Israel. The amount was the most ever raised at a single AFMDA event.

Dina and Fred Leeds (top left) were honored with the AFMDA Humanitarian Award. Gaby Bashner received the Woman of Valor Lifetime Achievement Award and Leba Sherman was also honored with the Woman of Valor Next Generation Award.

The sold-out event featured legendary sing-er/songwriter Neil Sedaka (at left, middle), Emmy Award–winning comedian Jackie Mason (at left, bottom), and 12-year-old piano prodigy and philanthropist Ethan Bortnick (top right).

Industry titans in finance, business, and entertainment lent support, including former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams (bottom right, with Harmony Samuels). Professor Eilat Shinar, MDA’s director of blood services and a world expert in blood management, was the evening’s guest speaker. Israel’s consul general to Los Angeles, David Siegel, opened the event.

California Congressman Brad Sherman’s office presented the Leeds family with an of-ficial American flag that once flew atop the U.S. Capitol.

“It was so inspiring to see the entire Los Angeles community come together to sup-port the new National Blood Center while celebrating Dina and Fred Leeds,” says AFMDA CEO Arnold Gerson. “We still have a lot of work to do to reach our goal, but MDA and the people of Israel will soon have the kind of modern blood center they deserve.”

An after-party for AFMDA’s Young Leadership, featuring 35 partner organiza-tions, followed at The Beverly Hilton. ■

Manny and Natalie Charach Set Record With 36th Ambulance

Last March, Manny and Natalie Charach were surprised to see an MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) they sponsored accompany President Obama’s motorcade on his trip to Israel.

But the people of Israel got an even big-ger surprise a few months later.(Continued on Page 4)

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Regional RepoRt From the Front Lines: Mda in acTion in iSrael

Ariella Cohen: MDA Overseas Volunteer Experience Sparks Passion for Israel and Her CareerThe training is intensive. The personal satisfaction is beyond measure. And the bond forged with Israel and its people is forever. That’s the assessment of Ariella Cohen, recalling her recent six-week stint as an overseas volunteer with MDA.

When Ariella, 23, gradu-ated with a biology degree from the University of California, San Diego, she planned on attending graduate school in pursuit of a career as a physician’s assistant. She was interested in medicine or a health-related field, and to add to her experience, Ariella decided to become an overseas volunteer with MDA. But enhancing her career wasn’t her only motivation.

“I wanted to explore my Jewish roots, gain a deeper understanding of Israel and its people, and improve my Hebrew,” she says.

Ariella was among dozens of young people from around the world who went through 10 days of orientation and training that included CPR, cardiac defibrillation, immobilizing the body, bandaging, con-trolling bleeding, childbirth, and simulated disaster drills. The volun-teers were then dispersed throughout Israel, with Ariella assigned to Palm Beach Friends Holon MDA Emergency Medical Station.

The action came quickly. Her first day, Ariella treated individuals with seizures, head trauma, and panic attacks. Her most vivid memory of the day was helping a patient with breathing difficulties.

“He was pale and gray, barely breathing,” she says. “For 15 minutes I made full use of all my intensive training until, finally, he took his first full breath on his own. It was like a miracle — it’s an incredible feeling to know you’ve just saved someone’s life.”

MDA’s Overseas Volunteer Program provides hands-on, applicable skills. Ariella says those real-world lessons made her experience unforgettable.

“For me, becoming an overseas volunteer inspired my passion for Israel, deepened my connection to Israelis, and confirmed my career choices,” she says. “I’m very happy I did it.”

For more about MDA’s Overseas Volunteer program, contact Erik Levis at elevis@afmda.org or call toll-free 866.632.2763. ■

MDA’s Muawiya Qabha, an Israeli-Arab, Saves Jewish Toddler After Terrorist AttackIt’s an unlikely story in the Middle East. But at MDA, seemingly anything is possible.

Last spring, 2-year-old Adelle Bitton was nearly killed when the car she was traveling in crashed after being attacked by stone-throwing Arabs. Adelle and her mother, Adva, were on their way home to the settlement of Yakir. The assault left Adelle unconscious and struggling to stay alive.

When Muawiya Qabha, a 14-year MDA veteran who was not on duty that day, got notice of the attack, he rushed to the scene, performed CPR on Adelle, and stabilized her until the MDA ambulance arrived minutes later. The toddler survived.

The irony was lost on no one: Qabha, an Israeli-Arab, saved the life of a

young Israeli settler, who was attacked by Arab terrorists.

But for Qabha, saving a life is the only thing that matters. The ques-tion of whose life needed saving never played into his thinking.

“I needed to be there because we are all in this together, Jewish and Arab,” Qabha said. “I received blessings from both communities after the incident.”

Today, Adelle is back home in Yakir and recovering steadily. Adelle’s mother, Adva, talks to Qabha regularly to give him updates on her daughter.

“He’s an angel. God sent him directly at the right time,” she says. “He saved my life indirectly because me and my daughter — we’re the same connection. If he saved her life, he saved my life.” ■

3The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

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

New MDA Medicycle Operators Ride Wave of TechnologyWhen Azriel Gross became a medical motorcycle paramedic with Magen David Adom (MDA) 10 years ago, he knew he was going out

to save lives. But he didn’t realize he was going to be on the cutting edge of technology.

MDA, Israel’s national emer-gency response organization, is known for its fleet of 1,000 ambulances and for managing and protecting Israel’s national

blood supply. But MDA’s technological innovations, like its new Medicycles, are saving even more lives.

The Piaggio-made scooters, with their high-performance maneuver-ability, have revolutionized the way MDA first-responders reach emergencies in congested areas such as cities or jammed highways.

“The Medicycles are special because they have two wheels in the front and one in the back,” says Gross. “They have state-of-the-art cardio pumps, defibrillators, and basic life support equipment. Plus, they’re really safe to drive.”

Medicycle riders like Gross are also outfitted with the latest tech-nology, including unique microphone-equipped helmets that help them communicate directly with medical dispatch centers. And their specialized coats have built-in airbags to protect them on the road. All of these MDA innovations are now being used by other Israeli agencies, including police departments.

Ultimately, though, it’s about saving lives.

“I need to respond quickly in all kinds of environments,” says Gross. “With our Medicycles, we can go anywhere, even where there are no addresses.” ■

4

From the Front Lines: MDA in Action in isrAel From the Front Lines: Mda in acTion in iSrael

New MDA Lifesaving App Guess what was Israel’s second-most-downloaded free app when it came out in September? Here’s a hint: it wasn’t Angry Birds.

It was MDA’s new app, and it was officially launched to rave reviews at special ceremo-nies held in Israel.

MDA’s free app for Apple and Android phones gives users immedi-ate access to medical information in emergency situations, clear and simple explanations in Hebrew, detailed animations, and training videos. The app also includes safety guidelines, tips and advice, and has an omnipresent “101” but-ton users simply push in case of an emergency.

One of the app’s major advantages, according to Yoni Yagodovsky, MDA’s director of international affairs, is that it functions even in areas with no Internet connection.

“This feature will help save lives even if someone is injured on a trip, in a remote area, or on an overseas flight,” he said.

MDA’s app was developed by the Red Cross in the United Kingdom with help from the American Red Cross. MDA provided the transla-tions into Hebrew and will offer technical support to keep the app up-to-date. ■

The factory in Indiana gets to work.

The donor gathers with family and friends to dedicate the ambulance before it leaves for Israel.When the first emergency

call comes in, the ambulance finally gets to do what it was made for: saving lives.

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When the ambulance is retired, after five to seven years of service, there’s a new ambulance coming off the boat from America,thanks to anothergenerous donor.

Thanks to your generosity, the cycle of life keeps going.

The Life of An AmbulanceA donor sponsors an ambulance.

1

(Charach, from page 1)

This past spring, the Charachs set a world record by sponsoring their 36th MDA ambulance. No other individuals have given more lifesaving MICUs and ambulances. Their 36th, double chai, was dedicated at the Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region Annual Event on September 22 in front of hundreds of inspired attendees. The Charachs’ commitment to MDA puts them in a league of their own; at any given moment in Israel, up to eight of their ambulances are active and saving lives.

“We hope others will follow our example,” Manny and Natalie both said. “Caring for the safety and well-being of our brethren in Israel is what motivates us. We hope to see more fleets of ambulances like ours saving lives!”

The Charachs’ generosity extends to other parts of MDA’s work. They are contributors to its National Blood Services Center and are the benefactors of the Natalie and Manny Charach Ashdod MDA Emergency Medical Station

“The Charachs are unique in every way imaginable,” says AFMDA Michigan Region Director Cari Immerman. “Their leadership, gen-erosity, and passion for saving lives in Israel makes them role models for our community and the rest of the country.”

But if you think the Charachs are slowing down, guess again; their 37th is already completed. ■

MDA’s technology at work during the Carmel Fire in 2010.

5The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

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

New York/New Jersey

Guy Caspi Shares MDA Know-How With East Coast First-Responders

In a fast-paced tour of the U.S. in late August, Guy Caspi, MDA’s chief multi-casualty instructor and director of hazmat exercises and operational training, gave presentations in White Plains, NY and Teaneck, NJ. In White Plains, Westchester Deputy County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett proclaimed August 29 “Guy Caspi Day” (at left) in honor of the lifesaving collaborations between MDA and Westchester County. ■

New York

Bat Mitzvah Girl Combines Tradition and Social Media to Help Save Lives

Rebecca Slavsky knew she wanted her bat mitzvah “mitzvah” project to follow her family tradition of volunteering to save lives. Little did she know how successful she’d be.

Rebecca’s father, two uncles, and her grandfather all volunteered for fire and rescue squads in their town of Old Bethpage, NY. But Rebecca added a little technology to that tried-and-true recipe by using AFMDA’s Friend-to-Friend campaign to raise $5,000 to

support MDA.

“A way for me to feel connected to Israel is to help save the lives of all the citizens who live there,” she wrote on her Friend-to-Friend page.

For more on Friend-to-Friend visit saving-lives.afmda.org. ■

Meredith Berkman to Be Honored at NYC Benefit Dinner; Katie Couric to Emcee; Mayor Bloomberg to PresentJournalist and philanthropist Meredith Berkman will receive AFMDA’s Humanitarian Award at its New York Annual Benefit Dinner on Monday, December 9, 2013 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will present an award and Katie Couric will emcee the event. For more, call toll-free 866.632.2763 or NY-Gala@afmda.org. ■

New York

Mashadi Community’s Basketball Tournament is Slam Dunk for MDAFor long-suffering New York Knicks basketball fans, maybe a trip to Great Neck, NY will give them something to smile about.

In June, members of the Mashadi Jewish Center of Great Neck (MJC) organized the Wheels For Life basketball tourna-ment to raise money for their first-ever MDA ambulance sponsorship. The event, which raised over $70,000, featured men’s and women’s all-star games, a live band, and running commentary in both English and Farsi.

Bolstered by additional individual gifts, the goal of $100,00 was achieved later in the summer and the new ambulance was dedicated in Great Neck in October. Uri Ben Yehuda, Cathy Benalevi, and Farshad Kalaty helped organize the tournament. ■

Philadelphia

Neshama Carlebach Charms Audience at AFMDA Benefit

Neshama Carlebach, one of the brightest stars in Jewish music, enchanted a crowd of more than 400 people at a September 22nd concert benefiting AFMDA at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA,. The event included rousing performances by the Green Pastures Baptist Choir and singer Josh Nelson.

“Neshama’s universal message of hope touched the entire audience,” said Sharon Schmidt, AFMDA greater Philadelphia area director.

AFMDA Greater Philadelphia Area Advisory Committee members Larry Cohen and Bruce Goldstein chaired the event. ■

Neshama Carlebach (front row, dark hair) performed at an AFMDA benefit concert outside Philadelphia. She was joined by (front row, from left) Rev. Roger Hambrick; Sharon Schmidt, AFMDA greater Philadelphia area director; and Josh Nelson. The Green Pastures Baptist Choir joined them.

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Regional RepoRt southeast rePort

heartbeat Set to Launch in Boca Raton, FloridaAFMDA’s new NextGen/Young Leadership initiative, Heartbeat, will have its Southeast Region kickoff event on December 3 in Boca Raton. The Vodka and Latkes event will raise funds for a new Red Bag of Courage, a medical equipment bag MDA uses to save lives. Jeremiah Cann and Steven Herschenhorn, both emergency preparedness and response professionals, will co-chair the event.

“This is a really exciting time to get involved with MDA as young professionals in southeast Florida,” says Sylvie Feinsmith, AFMDA’s development assistant in Florida who leads the Heartbeat initiative in the region. “It’s like getting in on the ground floor of a new startup … the opportunities are endless.”

To learn more about Heartbeat in south Florida and for event details, contact Sylvie Feinsmith at sfeinsmith@afmda.org or call 800.626.0046. ■

AFMDA’s Southeast Office Moves to Boca RatonAfter 32 years in Hallandale, Fla., AFMDA’s Southeast Region office has a new home in Boca Raton.

“Our new Boca Raton office gives us quick and easy access to the newer Jewish communities in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties while maintaining our connections to the well-established communities,” said AFMDA Southeast regional director Mark Glickman. “Now, we will be more accessible to our supporters and volun-teers throughout the region.”

For the record, the new address is: AFMDA Southeast Region, 1900 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite W-310, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

The telephone number is 954.457.9766 or toll-free at 800.626.0046. E-mail is southeast@afmda.org. Please note that our Palm Beach Gardens office will remain in its current location. ■

Florida

Forecast for Southeast Florida: Major Events and Clear Skies for MDA in 2013–2014AFMDA’s Southeast Region is gearing up for a series of major events that are sure to bring more awareness and support to MDA’s lifesaving work. And it’s never too soon to get involved.

On Sunday, November 24, the an-nual Diamond Circle Chanukah Gala at the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center

will honor Dr. Robert Entel

and Norman Levine. Four new ambulances and a new Medicycle will be dedicated that evening.

Then, for a week starting December 2, AFMDA will embark on a one-of-a-kind concert series throughout Palm Beach with an ensemble of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) musicians. The tour will fea-ture exclusive insights from one of Israel’s top emergency responders, MDA’s Yael Mandel, and IDF General (Res.) Nehemia Dagan.

The Porto Vita Gala will follow on February 4.

On February 23, things heat up with the Palm Beach Celebration of Life Gala, which this year will honor Lois Pope and feature special guest speaker

Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel.

The Florida winter events season then wraps up on March 16 with the Boca-Delray Community Event, which last year celebrated its 100th communal ambulance sponsorship.

And special thanks to Burt Goodman of Boca Pointe Country Club, who raised funds in his community for two new Mobile Intensive Care Units that will be dedicated at the club on January 12 and March 9, 2014. ■

AFMDA Southeast Region President Rabbi Larry Schuval affixes a mez-zuzah at the new Boca Raton offices as Southeast Region Director Mark Glickman looks on.

The February 23 Celebration of Life Gala will honor longtime MDA sup-porter Lois Pope. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will be the keynote speaker.

Dr. Robert Entel (left) and Norman Levine will be honored at the November 24 Diamond Circle Gala in Aventura.

To learn more about AFMDA events in south Florida, call toll-free 800.626.0046 or e-mail southeast@afmda.org

7The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

Regional RepoRt Western rePort

San Francisco

“Bridges to Israel” Party Raises Funds for New MDA MedicycleSpirited Yemenite dancing, traditional Ladino songs, and even a joy-ful belly dancer were highlights of the August 17 “Bridges to Israel” event at Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek, CA. The event was part of a series of fundraisers in the San Francisco area that seek to raise $36,000 for a new MDA Medicycle, the fully equipped motorbikes used to save lives in Israel (see page 3 for more about MDA’s Medicycles).

Event chairs were Tzipora Garbi and Dr. Elliott Lavey. ■

Portland, Ore.

Family Honors Members Who Have Passed With MDA Intensive Care Ambulance

A Portland, Ore., family has honored the memories of relatives by ensuring that lives are saved in Israel through MDA.

At a headstone unveiling ceremony in October for longtime Portland resident Peryl Gottesman, family members announced the dedica-tion of a new MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU), destined to save lives in Israel.

The MICU will be dedicated to the memories of several members of the family: Peryl Gottesman, Annie and Herman Gottesman, and Sylvia and Herman Gold.

Family members Millard P. Lesch, Leslie Gottesman, and Ellen Teicher sponsored the MICU. The family said it chose to support an ambulance, and to announce it at Peryl’s headstone unveiling, because of its lifelong involvement with MDA. ■

Los Angeles

New LA NextGen/Young Leadership Initiative Launches at LA GalaAFMDA’s inaugural Los Angeles Gala did more than raise a record $3.8 million for MDA’s lifesav-ing services. It also provid-ed a spectacular launch-ing pad for Heartbeat, AFMDA’s new nation-wide NextGen/Young Leadership initiative.

More than 300 young professionals remained for Heartbeat’s Gala after-party at The Beverly Hilton. The event exceeded all expecta-tions, raising $40,000 for MDA.

“Our goal is to get young professionals and future community leaders excited about supporting MDA,” says Adi Bodenstein, AFMDA’s Western Region development coordinator. “Just like our services in Israel, the need for ‘new blood’ is ongoing and essential.”

Heartbeat is a new and unique model for young adult engagement that AFMDA has started rolling out in Los Angeles and other parts of the country (see page 6 for more).

“The Heartbeat community empowers young people to support MDA by giving them the freedom to come up with their own program ideas,” says AFMDA’s Erik Levis, who designed the model. “We’re all sharing the keys to the car, in a sense.”

The LA event was co-sponsored by Israel Bonds and 34 other partner organizations, including Stand With Us, JSpace, Jewlicious, and the Barak Raviv Foundation. A second event, “Chill Your Blood,” ben-efiting MDA’s new national blood center, took place on October 31 at the Variety Arts Theatre in Los Angeles.

To learn more about Heartbeat in Los Angeles, contact Adi Bodenstein at abodenstein@afmda.org or call 800.323.2371. ■

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midWest rePort

Detroit/Cleveland

Detroit and Cleveland Raise the Bar — and Funds — for MDAIf Israelis feel better protected in the event of medical emergen-cies, they’ll have their brethren in Detroit and Cleveland to thank for recent major events.

In September, at the Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region Annual Event, more than 300 guests honored 48 young adults (some of them, above) who served as

MDA Overseas Volunteers between 2007–2013. They also acknowl-edged the leadership and generosity of Alvin and Henrietta Weisberg (at left), Joseph Gyongyosi, Sol and Rosalie Kaufman, z”l, and Natalie and Manny Charach. Five ambulances and one Medicycle were dedicated that evening.

Later, on October 22, the David Mark Berger Chapter — Northeast Ohio Gala honored Cleveland-area philanthropists Iris and Mort November (at right). More than 400 guests attended the event, with proceeds benefiting MDA’s new national blood center. ■

Chicago

Chicago’s GVS Club Dedicates Ambulance to Sandy Hook Victims in Newtown, Conn.In late June, members of Chicago’s Great Vest Side (GVS) club, a group of longtime MDA support-ers, traveled to Newtown, Conn., to dedicate a special MDA ambulance honoring the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

In the aftermath of the shooting, GVS board members (includ-ing Herb Kanter and Art Farber, at right, with AFMDA Midwest Region Director Sandy Rosen) decided to dedicate their next MDA ambulance — and ninth overall — to the 26 victims of the horrific attack. ■

Cleveland

Mark Sack, Longtime Supporter, Saved by MDA on Visit to Israel

Mark Sack knows MDA saves lives every day in Israel. He’s a dedicated supporter, serving on the board of AFMDA’s David Mark Berger chapter in Cleveland. But he never expected that one of the lives MDA would save would be his own.

Sack, 55, was traveling to a Maccabiah Games basketball event on the light rail in Jerusalem in July when he suddenly felt massive pounding in his chest. He knew something was terribly wrong. He also knew he needed MDA.

Once on-site at the event, Sack found MDA paramedics, who imme-diately whisked him away in a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (pictured, above) for emergency surgery at a local hospital.

“I was very fortunate,” Sack later said. “What makes this story so very personal is that my parents (z”l) were involved in raising funds for MDA with the David Mark Berger Chapter in the 1980s and 1990s, and my wife, Aviv, and I are currently active with the chapter today.” ■

On a recent visit to Chicago, Professor Eilat Shinar, MDA’s director of blood services, made an appearance on Fox32’s House Call With Dr. Mona to discuss MDA’s blood services and the importance of blood donation.

Professor Eilat Shinar Makes a House Call on Chicago TV

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 Israel

Ilsa Rooz, of blessed memory, knew she wanted to help Israel for generations to come, even after she’d passed. So when it came to planning her estate, she made a point to include AFMDA. Now, her legacy of saving lives in Israel is everlasting.

Estate planning is intensely personal, and 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, MDA supporters like Rooz also want to ensure Israel’s ability to save lives. They accomplish just that when they join MDA’s Legacy Circle by including AFMDA in their estates. In the last six months, more than 300 supporters have joined Rooz in the MDA Legacy Circle, which provides a number 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 e-mail jlipkin@afmda.org so we may acknowledge your commitment to MDA and welcome you into the MDA Legacy Circle. ■

AFMDA, Mibblio, and Matisyahu Team Up To Teach Music and Save Lives in Israel

This Chanukah, AFMDA is partnering with superstar Matisyahu and the new children’s music app Mibblio on a great new project that will get kids singing!

Mibblio creates interactive mu-sic apps for iPads that teach kids how to read, sing, and jam along to music. Its newest illustrated

song is Matisyahu’s “Happy Hanukkah.”

AFMDA is the project’s official charity, so every time someone downloads the Matisyahu app, a portion of the proceeds goes to MDA. So give the gift of music and save lives in Israel all at once!

Check out www.mibblio.com or visit Apple’s App Store for more information. ■

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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 Region1900 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite W-310Boca Raton, FL 33431Toll-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 2Chief 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.

11The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

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

11The Pulse The AFMDA Newsletter

saving Lives. Wherever israeLis Live.

Jordan River

EGYPT

SAUDI ARABIA

JORDAN

SYR

IA

LEBANON

Tiberias

Nablus

Jericho

Safed

Ramallah

Hadera

Netanya (2)

Herzliya

Ashdod (2)

Ashkelon

Gaza

Masada

Bethlehem

Hebron

Mitzpeh Ramon

Eilat

Nahariya

Akko

Haifa (3)

Mas’ada

Merom Golan

Kiryat ShmonaMisgav Am

Metula

Avivim

Hatzor

Maghar

Lower Galilee

Sachnin

Carmiel

Ma’alot

Shlomi

KrayotKiryat Ata

Ofra

Givat Ze’ev

Talmon

Beit Ariyeh

Nachal Sorek Ma’alehAdumim

TekoaEfratKiryat Gat

Kiryat Malachi

Modi’inYavne

Rishon Le Zion (2)

Bat Yam

Megilot

Beitar Ilit

Beit Shemesh

Rehovot

Nes Tziona

Shoham

Rosh HaAyin

El-Ad

Ramat SharonAlfei Menashe

Bnei Brak

Holon

Ramat Gan (2)

PetachTikva

Yahoud

Or Yehuda

Tel HaShomer

Sderot

Netivot

Rahat

Ofakim

Tzohar

Ramat Hovav

Tamar

Arad

Yerucham

Sapir

Migdal HaEmek

Afula

Beit She’anUm el Fahem

Shaked

Yokne’am

IsfyiaKiryat Tivon

Zichron Yaakov

Or Akiva

Baka El-Gharbiya

Bat Chefer

Shavei Shomron

Ariel Bik’at HaYarden

Karnei Shomron

Kochav YairKfar Saba

Tirat HaCarmel Nesher

Yavniel

Bnei Yehuda

Tel Aviv-Jaffa (4)

Be’er Sheva

Nazareth Ilit

Shfar’am

Emek HaYarden

Kiron

Ra’anana

Lod Modi’in Illit

Kiryat Arba

Mevaseret

Gan Yavne

Aroer

Dimona

Kseifa

Meitar

Katzrin

Gedera

Jerusalem (6)

Chevel Eilot

YARDEN

ASHER

CARMEL

YARKON

JERUSALEM

SHARON

GILBOA

AYALON

DAN

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LakeKinneret

Yarmuk River

DeadSea

Gulf of

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Yotvata

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Eilat

Chevel Eilot

Yotvata

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Gulf ofEilat

Key to MapStation directly funded by AFMDA

Station that serves as MDA regional communications and dispatch station

MDA emergency medical station

Other important or historic site

Magen David Adom blood centers

1949 Armistice Line (the Green Line)

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NEGEVWherever and whenever Israelis are in need of emergency care, MDA is there.With more than 120 emergency medical stations all over Israel, MDA’s lifesav-ing paramedics and ambulances can be dispatched anywhere in the country at a moment’s notice.

American supporters have built or reno-vated 16 of those stations, including the William H. Bloomberg Jerusalem Station, which has fielded approximately 40,000 emergency calls so far in 2013.

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PAIDPermit #1235Brooklyn NY

www.afmda.org

352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400New York, NY 10001

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Look InSIde...

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■ Muawiya Qabha, an Israeli-Arab MDA paramedic who saved a 2-year-old girl’s life after a terrorist attack, embodies MDA’s mission of saving lives in Israel...page 2.

■ Ehud Barak will be the guest speaker at the Celebration of Life Gala in Palm Beach, Fla., honoring Lois Pope...page 6.

■ Cleveland’s Mark Sack always knew MDA saved lives. He just never expected one of those lives would be his own...page 8.