SHAAR HANEGEV (October 17, 2009) - A Qassam rocket was fired Sunday evening from the northern Gaza Strip into Israel.The Color Red alert system was activated in the Shaar Hanegev and Sdot Negev regional councils, and the rocket landed in an open area. Local residents reported hearing an explosion. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Last week, after a rocket hit an open area in southern Israel, Air Force jets attacked two weapon smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces reported that all the targets were hit. The Palestinians said three people were injured in the strike. Approximately 55 rockets and mortar shells have been launched at Israel during the last three months, totaling 300 since the end of Operation Cast Lead and more than 750 in 2009.

MDA medical teams MUST remain on high alert in the western Negev and along the Lebanon border in Israel's north, to protect and care for Israel’s people. 

THE BEST GIFT TO BRING BACK FROM ISRAEL IS THE ONE YOU'LL LEAVE BEHIND

JERUSALEM (October 6, 2009) - Another first for American Friends of Magen David Adom in Israel - Pastor Lurice Brown of Destiny Ministries in Vancouver, WA is bringing her church to Israel and will hold a blood drive with AFMDA for the THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR. The above photograph was taken last year.

Remember - AFMDA Blood Drives in Israel are open to both the host organizations and individuals who want to come and give blood. 

ALL DONORS MUST BRING A DRIVERS LICENSE, PASSPORT OR TEUDAT ZEHUT IDENTIFICATION.  DONORS CAN ONLY GIVE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS.

October 8         

King David Hotel, 9 am -1 pm, Jerusalem

(with the worldwide Young Israel movement and Israel Phones)

October 25       

Michlelet Esther, Nevei Yerushalayim

November 10   

Yeshivat Lev HaTorah, 1 - 5 pm,                Beit Shemesh

November 12   

Winnemucca Living Rock Church

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept 23, 2009) - Thanks to a gift by the Estate of Jack Greenberg of Cincinnati, OH, an ambulance was dedicated to members of the US Congress on Wednesday, September 23 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  Congresswoman Nita Lowey from New York's 18th Congressional District (center, in blue) was one of 20 senators and congressmen who came to the corner of New Jersey Avenue SE and C Street SE to express their support of American Friends of Magen David Adom and Israel. From left are Karen Berger, AFMDA NE Associate Regional Director; Robert L. Kern, AFMDA Director of Marketing & Communications; Sybil Weingast, AFMDA VP for Development; Wallace Kleid, AFMDA Greater Baltimore President; Jeremy J. Fingerman, AFMDA Vice Chairman and NE Region Chair; Gary Perl, AFMDA NE Regional Director; Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Eitan Charnoff of Potomac, MD, an MDA Overseas Youth Volunteer.

JERUSALEM (October 16, 2009) -

Work is progressing on the rebuilding of the MDA Jerusalem Station, which will be renamed the "William H. Bloomberg MDA Jerusalem Station."
The parking lot in back (pictured) has been dug up and work is progressing on what will be a two-tiered area. The bottom floor of the Station has been partially demolished; offices and the volunteer quarters have been relocated upstairs.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Station continues to be MDA's largest and busiest facility, necessitating careful coordination of emergency and construction vehicles and the stationing of many of Jerusalem's ambulances offsite.