The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom Summer 2016 Issue 6 THE

PulseMIDWEST EDITION

As a Wave of Terror Floods , Magen David Adom Is First on the Scene Beyond ambulances, MDA saves lives by providing superior training and developing innovations like the Life Guardian Program. he piercing screams of terror only grew louder as Lina The March 8 terror attacks in Jaffa, Petah Tikva, and Jerusalem killed one Cooperman, a volunteer Magen David Adom EMT from New man — American tourist Taylor Force — and injured 10 more. They were Jersey, reached the boardwalk in Jaffa. There, minutes earlier, a the latest in a wave of stabbings, car-rammings, and shootings that have T terrorist on a rampage stabbed anyone in his vicinity, leaving a terrorized Israelis since mid-September. At least 34 people have been trail of carnage in his wake. killed and 361 injured in that span. “We overheard on the radio that there was a stabbing and it was our While thwarting these kinds of attacks is nearly impossible, responding call,” recounted Cooperman. “The first thing I noticed was that there to them is not. And MDA, having developed world-renowned expertise were five or 10 police cars and it was chaos. Absolute chaos.” in mass-casualty response after years of dealing with suicide bombings (continued on page 14) Anwar Srkaoi, another MDA volunteer EMT, arrived on his Medicycle within minutes of being dispatched to the Jaffa clock tower. Usually an iconic In This Issue landmark that stands among gentle sea breezes and tourists, the tower now Marcus Foundation Makes seemed to watch over innocent civilians bleeding out from stab wounds. Historic $25M Blood Center Gift Largest-ever donation to AFMDA “I arrived at the clock tower square; it was crowded and people were announced at Boca-Delray yelling ‘help me!’ in Hebrew and English,” Srkaoi said. “I saw a 32-year- Community Event ...... pg. 3 old pregnant woman — I think American — who had been stabbed, so I turned the Medicycle lights toward her so that another EMT could Third Annual Los Angeles Red Star Ball Breaks Records...... pg. 8 treat her quickly.” Manny and Natalie Charach: World-Record Holders...... pg. 12 THE FRONT LINES MDA IN ACTION IN ISRAEL AND ABROAD SAVING LIVES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

Israeli Innovation Plays a Big Role in Saving Lives Marcus Foundation Makes Historic $25M Gift to New Blood Center A Message from MDA Director-General Eli Bin Amid an ongoing wave of terror in Israel, AFMDA has received a $25 million gift from the Atlanta- based Marcus Foundation to help MDA build a critically needed new national blood center in Israel. To our American friends, he historic grant is the largest ever to benefit MDA and was When Magen David Adom EMTs travel to international conferences, we’re often sought out for announced at AFMDA’s annual Boca-Delray Community Event our expertise. T on February 29 at St. Andrews Country Club, where Billi and Our experience makes us experts in things like mass-casualty response and evacuating patients Bernie Marcus, the foundation's co-founders, were honored with the under fire. How many U.S. ambulances are equipped with flak jackets and helmets? So naturally, Humanitarian of the Year Award. our colleagues want to know what we’ve learned from these experiences. The new building, to be named the Marcus National Blood Services Even now, less than two years after Hamas rockets rained down on southern Israel, we’re grappling Center, will be located in Ramla, in central Israel. The current blood with seemingly incessant terrorist attacks, with 34 killed and nearly 400 injured in recent months. center, in Tel HaShomer and built in 1987 with funding from AFMDA, is vulnerable to attack. In fact, during Israel’s 2014 conflict with Hamas, But from this hardship, this incessant exposure to violence, comes a resolve that’s uniquely Israeli, where survival becomes an act of rockets forced MDA to quickly move the country’s blood supply and defiance. And with this resolve comes something else — an obsession with innovation to continually find ways to respond faster, get blood-processing operations into subterranean bomb shelters. injured Israelis into treatment sooner, and use technology to increase survival rates for all patients. said AFMDA CEO David M. Frankel. “It speaks to MDA’s critical role in The current facility will no longer accommodate the blood needs Israel as one of the country’s most important national organizations. In recent months, we’ve launched a revolutionary new program and are deploying a cutting-edge app that are making a difference of Israel’s growing population, which has grown from 4.1 million But it also recognizes the leadership and vision of the Marcus family, in the lives of critically injured and ill Israelis. The new Reporty app can be downloaded by any Israeli to contact MDA in a medical people in the late 1980s to 8.5 million today. Israel’s population and other donors like them, who have taken meaningful action to emergency. Among its more revolutionary features, however, is the ability to provide real-time footage of the scene, providing is expected to reach 10 million by 2030. The current building also help alleviate the daily threat faced by Israelis.” dispatchers with a firsthand view to assess the situation and make the best medical decisions for responding. doesn’t meet Israel’s current codes for earthquake compliance, a Just as important is our new Life Guardian Program, which trains everyday Israeli civilians and integrates them into the sacred work serious consideration given that Israel sits on two active seismic fault The new blood center capital campaign is the most ambitious of saving lives. Since its launch in early February, more than 12,000 Israelis have volunteered. lines. The new blood center will be a safe, underground, and secure fundraising project in MDA's history, with a goal of raising $115 complex, complete with sophisticated ventilation systems to guard million for construction of the facility. With the Marcus Foundation Now when Magen David Adom receives a call about a seriously injured or ill person, several things happen simultaneously through against chemical attacks. gift, AFMDA has now raised $72 million. the Mamlam, our state-of-the-art dispatch system. A sophisticated GPS system locates the nearest Life Guardian — someone who may live just down the street or down the hall — and dispatches him or her to the scene to begin, if necessary, lifesaving measures “We are overwhelmingly indebted to the Marcus Foundation for their “MDA ensures that the people of Israel have a secure blood supply At the same time, the five nearest first-responders are dispatched. These are EMTs or paramedics who are on call but not currently remarkable generosity in making the largest gift in AFMDA’s history,” — the blood they need, when they need it,” Bernie Marcus said. ■ on ambulance duty, so they’ll arrive by foot, private car, or Medicycle. Their role is to relieve the Life Guardian and, if necessary, administer more advanced lifesaving measures, including intubating the patient to restore respiration. Simultaneously, an MDA ambulance will also be sent to the scene to provide more sophisticated lifesaving equipment and rush the patient to the hospital. AFMDA Names David M. Frankel New CEO; Catherine Reed Tapped as New CDO This may be the most advanced system of its kind anywhere in the world. And much of it is made possible by our American friends. In January, AFMDA’s Board of Directors unanimously appointed David M. Frankel the organization’s new Your generosity enables us us to save lives and set the standard for EMS innovation around the world. On behalf of Israel’s 8.5 million chief executive officer. In his first major move, Frankel tapped Catherine Reed as chief development officer. people — and especially the thousands of Israelis whose lives are saved by MDA each year — our profoundest thanks. Your support Frankel, who had served as AFMDA’s interim CEO since October, was commissioner of the is truly making a difference. City Department of Finance from 2009 to 2013. More recently, he was executive director and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. With our appreciation, “MDA relies heavily on American donors to support its operations,” says Frankel, who will be based at AFMDA’s headquarters in Manhattan. “Now, when nearly every day brings a new and sometimes deadly terrorist attack, one of my most urgent priorities is to bolster the Jewish American community’s commitment to saving lives in Israel. It is a tremendous responsibility — and a tremendous opportunity.” Eli Bin Frankel appointed Catherine Reed as chief development officer. Reed comes to AFMDA from New York’s 92nd Street Y, where she was director Director-General of development for the last five years. Magen David Adom in Israel “Having family in Israel, I’m intimately aware of MDA’s critical role as one of the country’s most important national organizations,” she says. “These incredible paramedics and EMTs deal with life-and-death matters 24 hours a day, so it’s my mission to match their passion and energy by growing our ability to provide them with the resources they need.” ■

2 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 3 EVENTS FUNDRAISING FROM COAST TO COAST — MIDWEST REGION

Michigan Region Celebration of Life Gala Raises $2.7M for MDA

MDA overseas volunteer Aaron Berman with his grandfather, Sam, who dedicated his seventh ambulance in memory of his dear Minnie, z”l.

David, Gaby, and Gary Karp and their families sponsored a new 4x4 Life Support Ambulance in memory of Alex Karp, z”l.

The Weisbergs, Steven, Lori, Henrietta, and Alvin, dedicate their new Mobile Intensive Care Unit.

ore than 575 guests gathered at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Mich., in October for the Dr. John J. M Mames Chapter — Michigan Region Celebration of Life Gala, honoring Joel Jacob with the L’Dor v’Dor Award and featuring Pulitzer Prize–winner Dr. Charles Krauthammer. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder also helped present awards. The evening raised more than $2.7 million and saw the dedication of seven new The Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation announced its $1.5 million investment in the new Marcus National Blood Services The Goodmans; Teri, Mark, Enid, and Gary, with the new Medicycle sponsored by their families. MDA ambulances. Center. Jim Danto, representing his sisters and fellow foundation Gala emcees Drs. Margo and Doug Woll bookend keynote speaker, Dr. Charles Krauthammer. trustees, Gail and Joanne, made the announcement and received a The evening, emceed by Drs. Doug and Margo Woll, raised more plaque from AFMDA Midwest Regional Director Cari Immerman. than $2.7 million and saw the dedication of seven new MDA ambulances from sponsors that included Sam Berman, Natalie More Midwest News... and Manny Charach, the Karp family, Julie and Marty Wiener, and Henrietta and Alvin Weisberg. A Medicycle was dedicated by Mark and Teri Goodman and Enid and Gary Goodman. Guests heard remarks by Jim Danto of the Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation, which recently made a $1.5 million investment in MDA’s new Marcus National Blood Services Center.

Benny Margolis and Melissa Mendelson each received Cleveland Milwaukee Columbus, Ohio Pittsburgh A new MDA Life Support Ambulance Congregants and temple leadership MDA Director of International Affairs Yoni Yagodovsky also traveled to Pittsburgh to help start an Yagodovsky (at left) helped Aviga’yil Levi (at AFMDA’s Rising Star Award, and the event also honored all of Julie (holding plaque) and Marty Wiener (to her left) dedicate their Mobile Intensive was dedicated in Cleveland by the from Congregation Shalom in ambulance campaign in the Steel City for its sister area, Kurzbauer family in August 2015. Milwaukee came together to right) and the Columbus community launch a Karmiel-Misgav. The February event kickoff was hosted 2015’s Michigan-area MDA overseas volunteers. ■ Care Unit with their family. dedicate a new MDA Life Support community ambulance campaign for Kfar Saba, by Sylvia and Dr. Sidney Busis (center). Ambulance in November 2015. its sister city, in February.

4 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 5 EVENTS FUNDRAISING FROM COAST TO COAST — NORTHEAST REGION

New York Red Star Gala Honors Ronald O. Perelman Photo: Michael Priest Photography Photo:

Left: Former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (left) presents the AFMDA 2015 Humanitarian Award to Ronald O. Perelman. (Above) AFMDA Chairman Mark Lebow (back row, third from right) and Michael Bloomberg Gaby Ferman Lehrer and Mark R. Lehrer were honored with the Star Young Professional Leadership honoree Stella Amar-Cohen (center) is presented with her award by last year’s pose with MDA volunteers and leadership, including MDA Director-General Eli Bin, MDA Chief Financial Officer Alon of David Leadership Award. recipients, Nicole and Michael Strongin. Fridman (back row, second and first from right, respectively), and MDA Blood Services Director Prof. Eilat Shinar (back row, third from left). MSNBC’s Krystal Ball (back row, center) hosted the event. hilanthropist Ronald O. Perelman, former New York City Great Neck Community Campaign Funds New MDA Ambulance Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and Israel’s consul general P to New York Ambassador Ido Aharoni helped raise Inspired by their son, Yonatan, a former MDA overseas $1.5 million for MDA’s new Marcus National Blood Services volunteer, Gigi and Gabi Aharoni of Great Neck, N.Y., led a Center at the third annual New York Red Star Gala on December community-wide campaign that raised funds for a new MDA 7 at the Grand Hyatt New York. ambulance. The dedication, at Congregation Shaare Zion in Great Neck on March 13, attracted more than 100 people, “Without Magen David Adom, no other many who were contributors to the campaign. The ambulance organization would be doing this was dedicated in memory of Bobbi Berman, Gigi’s mother, and Dia and Yehuda Aharoni, Gabi’s parents. “Fundraising for invaluable work to help humanity exist.” the ambulance became a community-wide effort that crossed Perelman, chairman and chief executive officer of MacAndrews religious boundaries,” Gigi said. ■ & Forbes Incorporated, was honored with the 2015 AFMDA Humanitarian Award. “Without Magen David Adom, no other Jerusalem Award recipients (from left) Herb and Susan Donner and Sylvia and Dr. Jaime Sznajder. organization [in Israel] would be doing this invaluable work to The Aharoni family: (from left) Yonatan, Gigi, Daniella, David, and Gabi. Bloomberg Philanthropies; Eli Bin, MDA director-general; Prof. help humanity exist,” he said. “It all starts with saving lives.” Eilat Shinar, MDA director of blood services; and other notables in finance, business, and law. The keynote speaker was former IDF The award was presented by Mayor Bloomberg, whose longtime support of MDA includes sponsoring the William H. Bloomberg Surgeon General Professor Yitshak Kreiss. MDA Paramedic Supervisor Erez Geller Briefing Jerusalem MDA Medical Station. Paramedic Erez Geller was in Princeton, N.J., on November 18 to brief Major AFMDA leaders were honored: Gaby Ferman Lehrer and residents, including 30 high school seniors from the local Jewish Community More than 400 guests attended the gala, which was hosted by Mark R. Lehrer received the Star of David Leadership Award; Youth Foundation, on the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Israel and MDA’s MSNBC’s Krystal Ball. Among them were Diana Taylor, former Herb and Susan Donner and Sylvia and Dr. Jaime Sznajder response. The event was organized in cooperation with Jerry Neumann and New York State superintendent of banks; Marjorie Tiven, city received the Jerusalem Award; and the Young Professional Mike Vermut of the Jewish Center. commissioner for the United Nations; Patti Harris, CEO of Leadership Award was presented to Stella Amar-Cohen. ■

6 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 7 EVENTS FUNDRAISING FROM COAST TO COAST — WESTERN REGION

LA Gala: Seinfeld Performs and, Yada Yada Yada, Event Breaks Records

Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson made a surprise $5 million gift. An inspiring opening processional included 11 MDA medics, professionals, and Director-General Eli Bin (far right).

Maurice Kanbar Honored at Heartbeat’s First Ambulance Inaugural Gala

The Beverly Hilton, awash in red, at the third annual Los Angeles Red Star Ball. On August 30, the inaugural San Francisco Red Star Gala, hosted FMDA’s third annual Los Angeles Red Star Ball at the by Emmy Award–winning actor and singer Wayne Brady, honored prominent local philanthropist Maurice Kanbar with Beverly Hilton on November 22 was a star-studded event the Lifetime Achievement Award and entrepreneur Dr. Lior A that featured a rare performance by entertainment icon and Tamir with the Next Generation Award. Additional notable comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The gala broke all previous fundraising guests included former San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown, philanthropist Joy Venturini Bianchi, former Chairman and records for AFMDA events, raising millions of dollars to support the new Marcus National Blood Services Center, ambulances, and CEO of Bank of America Richard Rosenberg, Men’s Wearhouse founder George Zimmer, Clara Shayevich, Dorothy Saxe, other emergency medical equipment. and Israeli Consul General Dr. Andy David. The event, chaired by AFMDA Western Region President Dina Leeds The Los Angeles Heartbeat community made history at the LA and her husband, Fred Leeds, honored Gila and Adam Milstein Red Star Ball by partnering with the Los Angeles Women in Action with the Humanitarian of the Year Award, Ruth Flinkman- for Israel to sponsor the first Heartbeat ambulance. Members, Marandy and Ben Marandy with the Lifetime Achievement including Tani Light (above, to the left of co−ribbon cutter and donor Myrtle Sitowitz), raised funds through an innovative Jerry Seinfeld tore down the house with two comedy sets. Award, and Barak Raviv with the Next Generation Award. online giving platform and personal solicitations. Leaders from the worlds of business, politics, and philanthropy were To learn more about Heartbeat, AFMDA’s community of also in attendance, including Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, philanthropic innovators, contact Erik Levis at 323.655.4655 Gitta and Jack Nagel, Lori and Michael Milken, former Los or [email protected]. Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Beverly Hills mayor Julian Gold, State Assemblyman Richard Bloom, Los Angeles Top: Former Chairman and CEO of Bank America Richard City Controller Ron Galperin, and Scott Abrams, who offered a Rosenberg (at left) presents the MDA Rides into Colorado U.S. flag on behalf of CongressmanBrad Sherman. Lifetime Achievement Award to Citrola’s Restaurant in Grand Junction, Colo., was the site of Maurice Kanbar. AFMDA’s latest event in the Centennial State. The January 31 Seinfeld was reunited on the red carpet with former Seinfeld co- Left: Host Wayne Brady (at right) stands with Next dinner was hosted by restaurateurs Kristy and John Citrola star Michael Richards. Other stars lending support to MDA Generation Award honoree and organized by Joseph Breman, a longtime leader in Grand Dr. Lior Tamir. included Josh Malina, Karla Souza, Israeli-born actress and Junction’s Jewish community. Guests watched — and were Next Generation Award presenter Odeya Rush, Bailey Noble, The honorees included (from left) Ben Marandy and Ruth Flinkman-Marandy (Lifetime inspired by — several videos about MDA’s history, growth, and Carter Jenkins, and Mark Schiff. ■ Achievement Award), Barak Raviv (Next Generation Award), and Gila and Adam Milstein impact in Israel. ■ (Humanitarian Award).

8 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 9 EVENTS FUNDRAISING FROM COAST TO COAST— SOUTHEAST REGION

Sold-Out Celebration of Life Gala Heats Up Palm Beach More Southeast News… Major galas were only part of a busy fall and winter event schedule for AFMDA’s Southeast Region. • February’s Porta Vita Celebration of Life Gala Dinner honored Darlene and Steven Wagner and featured IDF Captain Ziv Shilon, MDA Director of Blood Services Professor Eilat Shinar, and MDA Director of International Affairs Yoni Yagodovsky. • In December, diplomat and foreign policy expert Elliot Abrams spoke throughout south Florida in a program called “Understanding ISIS and the Middle East.” • Celebration of Life honorees Robin and Bob Berman stand on each side of Jacqueline Goldman and grandson Alex Englehardt Gala co-chairs Rick and Gigi Aron. Gala co-chairs Arthur and Vicki Loring. Gala co-chairs Lorraine and Herb Podell. In October, the inaugural Shop for a Cause event, benefiting AFMDA, keynote speaker IDF Lt. Gen. (Res.) Benny Gantz. dance the night away. was held at Bloomingdale's in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. • The Wine for a Cause event in October featured Adam Ross, an American who served as a Lone Soldier in an elite IDF unit. alm Beach Friends of AFMDA’s annual Celebration of Life Palm Beach, raised funds for emergency medical services and the • Iris and Dr. Mauricio Lynn hosted former IDF Surgeon General Professor Yitshak Kreiss in an intimate gathering at their home in October. typically brings out Palm Beach’s elite. But this year’s event new Marcus National Blood Services Center. Gala chairs Gigi P accomplished something entirely unprecedented. The gala, and Rick Aron, Vicki and Arthur Loring, and Lorraine and which sold out in advance, raised millions of dollars — including Herb Podell led the event, along with the Palm Beach Advisory an event-record $4.5 million individual gift from AFMDA Committee, chaired by Dianne Bernstein. The keynote speaker, Goodfriends’ 10th MDA Ambulance Marks Lifetime of Generosity national board member Jacqueline Goldman and her Lieutenant General (Res.) Benjamin “Benny” Gantz of the other from across the dinner table and say ‘time to give another family. As more than 600 guests dined and danced, AFMDA Israel Defense Forces, spoke about the multi-front challenges ambulance.’” honored Robin and Bob Berman with the 2016 Humanitarian faced by Israel and MDA’s critical role in battlefield situations.■ The Goodfriends’ support of MDA initially began in New York, but of the Year Award. The event, held at the Mar-a-Lago Club in their efforts really picked up steam 25 years ago, when they moved to Boca Pointe, a community in Boca Raton, Fla., where they met local chairman Burt Goodman. Seven of their 10 ambulances came through the Boca Pointe community and, together with Marcus Foundation Makes History Goodman, they inspired a legacy of giving among fellow residents. at Boca-Delray Community Event “We never wanted the attention, but at the dedications, people would tell us that they decided to give an ambulance because of aking history appears to be a tradition at St. Andrews Country Club. Audrey Goodfriend (center) and her husband, Leonard (at right), of blessed memory, what we did,” Audrey says. “That’s very rewarding.” Members of this Boca Raton club already own the record for most with one of their 10 ambulances. Burt Goodman (at left), chairman of AFMDA’s Boca Pointe community, has inspired the Goodfriends and other residents to support MDA. MDA ambulances sponsored by a community. And on February 29, For Audrey and Leonard (whose is memorialized on their ninth M ver the last 25 years, Audrey Goodfriend and her ambulance), helping Israel was a catalyst in their charitable giving, the Boca-Delray Community Event, hosted at St. Andrews, made news husband, Leonard, of blessed memory, have sponsored but they also wanted to impact the country in a tangible and again with the announcement that the event’s Humanitarian of the Year enough Magen David Adom ambulances to honor most of meaningful way. Award honorees, Billi and Bernie Marcus, were making a $25 million O their family members. The only exception has been Audrey herself. gift toward MDA’s new Marcus National Blood Services Center (see page But that’s about to change. “We knew we wanted to do something, but we also wanted to 3 for more). see the results. And with the ambulances, we knew where our At the urging of their two daughters, the Goodfriends’ 10th MDA money went,” Audrey says. “I got a report once that one of our Pulitzer Prize–winning syndicated columnist and commentator Dr. Charles ambulance will adorn Audrey’s name when it’s dedicated later ambulances saved 5,000 people. Can you believe that?” Krauthammer made the keynote address. Event chairs were Ina Rae and this year in New York, where Audrey recently returned to live. Honoring Audrey seems fitting given that the Goodfriends are Now, with two daughters, four grandchildren, and four great- Neil Fox and Jane and Martin Greenberg, along with honorary chairs among a select group of donors whose ambulance donations have grandchildren as proud witnesses to Audrey and Leonard’s Andrea and Michael Leven and Lynne and Howard Halpern. ■ reached double digits. But while this feat of philanthropic support generosity, families in Israel will get a chance to grow and flourish, is significant, Audrey says achieving it wasn’t by design. just as the Goodfriends have. ■ Top: Bernie and Billi Marcus accept AFMDA’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. Left: Event Chairs Neil and Ina Rae Fox. “Our intention was never really to give 10 ambulances,” she says. “But every time Israel got bombed, Lenny and I would look at each

10 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 11 EVENTS FUNDRAISING FROM COAST TO COAST SAVING LIVES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

Detroit’s Natalie and Manny Charach: World-Record 40th Ambulance Comes on 70th Wedding Anniversary Reaching 70 years of marriage is reason enough for a major celebration. Yet Natalie and Manny Charach will use the occasion to sponsor their 40th MDA ambulance, a record unmatched in the history of Magen David Adom. But the West Bloomfield, Mich., philanthropists say it’s a record they actually hope will be broken. A Gift That Celebrates the Gift of Life “We’re proud of this record, because every ambulance Dr. Jack Terry, born in Poland in 1930, is an American success story. After a horrific youth we’ve sponsored makes a difference in the lives of so in concentration camps, he immigrated to the , completed high school and many civilians and military personnel in a country we’re college, became a geologist, served in the U.S. Army, and went on to earn a medical so committed to,” the Charachs say. degree. From there, he became an accomplished New York psychoanalyst with a focus on helping other Holocaust survivors. “But we’d be more proud if someone beat the record, because it’s so much more important to lay a foundation But Jack’s remarkable journey would have taken a drastically different turn if not for Louis Natalie and Manny Charach have sponsored 40 MDA ambulances, more than any other S. Leland, a doctor with the U.S. Army medical battalion. couple in the world. It’s a record they’re proud of but encourage others to break. For Dr. Jack Terry, a gift that saves lives in Israel is “It’s so much more important to lay a foundation the perfect way to honor the couple that saved his. for future support of MDA. So, yes, someone In 1945, Col. Leland found 15-year-old Jakub Szabmacher, as he was then called, in the should go out and beat the record!” newly liberated Flossenburg Concentration Camp. Col. Leland and his wife, Ruth, helped the young survivor secure passage to Paris. There he followed their instructions to find MDA during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, through the Dr. John J. Mames Louis’ brother, who helped the boy get a Polish passport and ultimately make his way to — Michigan Region Chapter of AFMDA. Natalie and Manny were the United States. honored by the chapter, and Manny served as a local chair for years. The chapter raised more than $38 million for MDA, including more than 350 But Louis and Ruth’s kindness didn’t end there. They arranged for Jack to live with a family, ambulances, since 1967. the Terrys, in Queens, New York. And when they learned that he had always wanted to go to school — a dream interrupted at 9 years old, when Over the years, the Charachs have sponsored Mobile Intensive Care Unit the war began — they encouraged him to go to Technical High School. Jack was barely 16, had only a few years of primary schooling, and barely spoke English. Fiercely determined, he took it upon himself to learn English well enough to test into the prestigious high school. Natalie (second from right) and Manny Charach (second from left, next to daughter, ambulances and armored ambulances, helped build the Natalie and Janice, z”l) standing beside one of their first MDA ambulances in the mid 1970s. Manny Charach Ashdod MDA Emergency Medical Station, sponsored Jack thinks of Ruth and Louis Leland as his parents, and the Leland family considers him one of their own. He’s also a lifelong Zionist and has The Charachs, along with Eva, z”l (far right), and John Mames, z”l (far left), and key equipment at the MDA National Blood Services Center, and provided others from Michigan have sent more than 350 ambulances to Israel via the Dr. always kept a close eye on Israel. So when he was made executor of Ruth’s trust, she asked him to select a Jewish organization as the beneficiary. John J. Mames — Michigan Chapter. scholarships to train the next generation of paramedics. He chose AFMDA. Why? “All you have to do is look at the news and you see Magen David Adom,” he explains. For Dr. Jack Terry, a gift that saves The Charachs say one of the most gratifying parts of their involvement lives in Israel is the perfect way to honor the couple that saved his. ■ for future support of MDA,” Manny adds. “So, yes, someone should go out with MDA is the birth announcements they receive when a baby is and beat the record!” brought into the world on one of their ambulances. The Charachs’ entrepreneurial spirit and drive to try new ideas led them “Nothing in the world is as life-affirming as the birth of a child,” says to create a successful business, distributing electronics to retail outlets Manny. “And to that end, we are also proud that our son, Jeffrey, is and national chains. And, in the early 1960s, they even helped introduce equally passionate and committed to MDA.” Making a Gift to MDA from Your IRA Is Now Easier Than Ever Japanese consumer goods to Americans when they rebranded Matsushita So as the Charachs celebrate 70 years of marriage, they insist that one If you’re 70 and a half or older, you can now make a tax-favored charitable gift from traditional and Roth IRA accounts. Electric into Panasonic — a more palatable name for U.S. consumers. of the best anniversary gifts they could receive is a pledge that another Today, Panasonic is the name used worldwide for the electronics titan. family, couple, community, or fellow philanthropist will answer the call to On December 18, 2015, Congress passed legislation that permanently allows for charitable IRA rollovers. That means you “Neither of us came from wealth,” says Natalie, who grew up during the support MDA’s lifesaving work. have another option to help Magen David Adom save lives in Israel by using a direct distribution from your IRA to make a Great Depression. “Living through it and the war taught us not only the “We’ve never done it to see our names on vehicles or for the prestige charitable gift to reduce your tax liability. value of hard work, but also to appreciate the value of money as a way to of getting our name on a building plaque,” the Charachs say. “We did it If you’ve been waiting to take a required minimum distribution from your IRA, you can now make a direct tax-free transfer positively impact the world and to make a real difference.” because MDA’s work makes a great difference in the health, welfare, and of up to $100,000 to AFMDA. While the Charachs give generously to causes in Greater Detroit, MDA security of Israel’s people.” ■ and Israel share a special place in their hearts. They first got involved with For more information, please contact Jeff Lipkin at 212.757.1627 ext. 218 or [email protected].

12 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 13 THE FRONT LINES MDA IN ACTION CONTACT

MDA Is First on the Scene (continued from page 1) during the Second Intifada, has saved countless lives during this current MDA constantly refines and improves its training and protocols, making NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS MIDWEST REGION AFMDA NATIONAL OFFICERS & DIRECTORS 352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400 30100 Chagrin Blvd. Suite 150 wave of violence. It has done this by embracing efficient and tech- it a sought-after authority in the medical community. National Chairman New York, NY 10001 Pepper Pike, OH 44124 savvy innovations, while activating everyday Israelis in a revolutionary Mark D. Lebow yet grassroots movement. And American support, critical since MDA MDA’s cutting-edge training is being dispatched in new ways to save Toll-Free 866.632.2763 Toll-Free 877.405.3913 doesn’t receive Israeli government funding, helps make those lifesaving lives. In February, MDA announced it was taking its already robust first- Tel 212.757.1627 Tel 216.342.4032 Vice Chairs [email protected] [email protected] efforts possible. responder program to the next level by introducing the Life Guardian Daniel Dobin Program. The initiative adds another layer of responders by training or Fraeda Kopman Upper Midwest/Chicagoland Gershon W. Trimpol Surveying the Scene before They Arrive recertifying everyday Israeli citizens in CPR. Then, depending on their NORTHEAST REGION 3175 Commercial Avenue, Suite 101 location, those newly minted Life Guardians receive notifications of an Secretary When Israelis dial “101” to report emergencies like the ones on March 352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400 Northbrook, IL 60062 Donna Fried Calcaterra 8, the calls are routed to the Mamlam, the Hebrew name for MDA’s emergency via a mobile app and can rush to administer CPR or first aid New York, NY 10001 Toll-Free 888.674.4871 until an MDA ambulance or Medicycle arrives. Toll-Free 866.632.2763 National Command and Control Center and the nerve center of its Tel 847.509.9802 Treasurer emergency response apparatus. The Mamlam is an American-sponsored Tel 212.757.1627 [email protected] Neil Fox “This will add tens of thousands of first-responders who are on call at technological marvel that dispatches medics to any corner of Israel and [email protected] any moment from their homes or offices,” said Bin. “Now there’s an even Audit Chair then tracks their whereabouts in real time. greater possibility that the nearest first-responder won’t just be down the Greater Philadelphia Area WESTERN REGION David N. Fleischer PO Box 52158 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450 street, but potentially just downstairs or right next door — an important Directors Philadelphia, PA 19115 Los Angeles, CA 90048 consideration, given the rise of terrorism and the potential for something Seymour Brief Tel 215.947.7007 Toll-Free 800.323.2371 even more dire in the months or years to come.” Martin Cohen [email protected] Tel 323.655.4655 Paula Blaine Cohen Since the program’s start, 12,000 Israelis have registered, including [email protected] Steven Einhorn hundreds of nurses and physicians from Hadassah Hospital. New England Annetta Weller Epstein PO Box 600714 AFMDA ISRAEL Leonard J. Epstein Newton, MA 02460 Barry Feldman “The cooperation between Hadassah and Magen David Adom is very Tel 053.761.4220 Jacqueline Goldman extensive,” said Hadassah cardiologist and Director General Professor Tel 617.916.1827 [email protected] [email protected] Les Handelsman Zeev Rotstein. “Now we have the opportunity to deepen the cooperation Stuart A. Jackson by joining this database, which is the biggest of its kind in the country.” Barbara Kay Dina Leeds SOUTHEAST REGION www.afmda.org Gaby Ferman Lehrer Americans Making an Impact 3300 PGA Blvd., Suite 970 Ann Lesser Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 MDA emergency responders at the scene of a November 2015 terror attack in Israel. American support for MDA often comes in the form of lifesaving www.facebook.com/afmda Daniel Schwarzwalder World-class training, funded by American supporters, has been critical in helping MDA save Toll-Free 800.626.0046 ambulances and Medicycles, a constant and critical need. In fact, Srkaoi lives during the recent wave of violence. Tel 561.835.0510 www.twitter.com/afmda — the EMT who treated the pregnant woman in Jaffa on March 8 Tel 954.457.9766 Now MDA has enhanced the center even further. In an effort to “see” — said at least three more people might have died had Medicycles [email protected] www.vimeo.com/afmda the scene of an emergency and dispatch the most appropriate vehicles not arrived on the scene. And two MDA ambulances — sponsored by and personnel faster, MDA recently partnered with Israeli startup Reporty residents of St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla. — were also www.instagram.com/afmda Homeland Security to launch the world’s first mobile video emergency on the scene in Jaffa, rushing victims to local hospitals. app. MDA dispatchers and civilians can expedite emergency care simply by sharing a live video feed from a smartphone. But the unsung heroes of MDA’s lifesaving work — superior, world- renowned training, technological innovations, and novel campaigns like The collaboration is backed by former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense the Life Guardian Program — are also the result of American support. Minister Ehud Barak, who has previously spoken on behalf of AFMDA at They may not be as noticeable as ambulances, but they are just as critical the Celebration of Life Gala in Palm Beach, Fla. in helping first-responders save lives.

“The app will allow callers to obtain immediate service at the push of a “As Israel’s only national emergency response organization, it’s our button, even via text messages, and give our dispatchers critical information responsibility to provide Israelis with the best, most professional treatment about the location of an incident and even enable them to receive video possible,” says Yoni Yagodovsky, MDA’s director of international affairs. broadcasts from the scene,” said MDA Director-General Eli Bin. “And we can’t offer that kind of training without support from Americans.” The Pulse • The AFMDA Newsletter • Issue 6 Do you know someone whose life was saved by MDA? Your story may be published in a future issue of The Pulse. Saving Lives Once They Arrive Chief Marketing Officer: Rob Rosenthal In this era of unpredictable and unprovoked attacks, the unique Editor-in-Chief: Erik Levis Email [email protected] with “Newsletter” in the subject line. For MDA’s team of 15,000 paramedics and EMTs (87% of whom are combination of innovation, MDA training, and American support is Copy Editor: Lisa-Michelle Kucharz If you want more updates from AFMDA, please visit volunteers), new technologies are essential to helping them reach the ■ helping to keep Israelis alive and their families intact. Design: Vincent DellaRatta www.afmda.org/sign-up-for-our-e-newsletter. scene of an emergency. But once they arrive, their training is what ultimately saves a person’s life.

14 THEPulse The Newsletter of American Friends of Magen David Adom 15 Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Permit #1235 Brooklyn, NY 352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400 New York, NY 10001

www.afmda.org MW i6

Look Inside:

Page 1 MDA is using more than ambulances to save lives in this latest wave of terror in Israel.

Page 3 The Atlanta-based Marcus Foundation has made a historic $25 million grant to support MDA’s new Marcus National Blood Services Center.

Page 8 Jerry Seinfeld and a host of stars and community leaders converged on Los Angeles for the record-breaking Red Star Ball.

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