PALESTINIAN MORTAR ATTACK KILLS ISRAELI ON KIBBUTZ KFAR AZA ALONGSIDE GAZA STRIP

 

  

An Israeli civilian was killed Friday, May 9, 2008 by a mortar fired by Palestinians in Gaza which landed in the western Negev Kibbutz Kfar Aza. A Magen David Adom rescue crew which was summoned to the scene pronounced the man dead following unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him. One person was moderately hurt and two were lightly injured by shrapnel while three others were treated for shock.

Because of Yom Ha'atzmaut and the increased rocket fire from Gaza, Magen David Adom rescue services have gone on highest alert in communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.

This past Tuesday, May 6, 2008, the authorities imposed a general closure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as part of security measures put in place for Memorial Day and Independence Day celebrations. Nonetheless, rocket fire by Palestinian militants into Israel has continued - 14 Qassam rockets hit the western Negev on Tuesday, though there were no injuries or damage reported.

One man was treated for shock and admitted to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. Eight of the Qassam landing spots were identified - four of them slammed near a number of kibbutzim in the Sha'ar Hanegev regional council, two others fell in the Sha'ar Hanegev industrial zone, and two more landed in Sderot and Kibbutz Nir-Am.

In addition, 12 mortar shells and two Grad missiles were launched Tuesday, however those projectiles landed in Palestinian territory.

 

  
 

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MDA "SHARING FOR LIFE" BLOOD DRIVES SETTING DONATION RECORDS

 

Four blood drives in Haifa, the Galilee, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, organized by AFMDA for Americans and other tourists to Israel during Pesach, collected 140 units, setting a new record for one week's blood donations from tourists.  So far this year, American Friends of Magen David Adom has collected 430 units of blood for the people of Israel. in

May 4             Pardes Institute, Jerusalem

May 5             Miami Jewish Federation, MDA Jerusalem Station

May 11           Michlelet Esther at Nevey Yerushalayim, Har Nof, Jerusalem

May 14           Christian Friends of Israel, Jerusalem

May 18           Yeshivat Lev Hatorah, Beit Shemesh

The Top Ten Reasons

Why You Can’t Donate Blood in Israel

Thank you for considering one of the most important donations you can make.  There’s no other more meaningful way to do something hands on to help all Israelis.

Magen David Adom is responsible for more than 95% of Israel’s blood supply, and for 100% of blood needed by the IDF. 

Nevertheless, for your safety and the integrity of Israel’s blood supply, there are certain criteria that may prevent you from donating blood in Israel.  Not all conditions apply to everyone, and if you have a question, it is always best to ask.  Yet this list is designed to help save you time and disappointment if you are looking forward to donating blood but may not be eligible.

If these conditions do not apply, you’ll need to arrange a time (for a group) to donate in advance, and have a valid photo ID such as a drivers license or passport.

You are not eligible to donate blood in Israel ….

 

  • If you are over 65 you’ll need a note from your doctor that states you are healthy and able to donate blood.  Yet if you are 70 or over, you may not donate blood in Israel, even with a doctor’s note.
  • From ages 17 to 18 you’ll need a note from your parent giving consent. Otherwise you need to be 18 or over.
  • If you plan to fly (or scuba dive) within 24 hours of donating blood.
  • If you have lived in Great Britain for six consecutive months or more between 1980 and 1996.
  • If you weigh under 110 lbs (50 kilos).
  • If you are pregnant, or have given birth in the last six months.
  • If you were born or have lived for more than a year since 1977 in a country where HIV is prevalent (Africa, Southeast Asia, Caribbean Islands), or are at risk for carrying or possibly exposed to HIV (AIDS).
  • If you have a heart condition, malignant diseases, insulin treated diabetes, hemophilia and/or epilepsy, hepatitis and certain other genetic diseases, or if you have a family history of some of these diseases.
  • If you have taken (or are taking) certain medications (please ask)
  • IF YOU CANNOT DONATE BLOOD, CONTACT AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM TO ARRANGE A VISIT TO SEE MDA WHILE YOU ARE IN ISRAEL.

 

For more information, please contact Jonathan Feldstein, Israel Representative, American Friends of Magen David Adom, jfeldstein@afmda.org, 02-993-1744.  Or call the Magen David Adom Blood Donation Hotline at 1-800-400-101.

 

  
 
 

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM ADDS FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

  

Four new members were elected to the Board of Directors of American Friends of Magen David Adom at the April 6, 2008 meeting in New York City. 

Joining the AFMDA Board are Caryn Rosen Adelman of Chicago, Ann Lesser of Los Angeles, Karen Pack of Kansas City and Erica Solodkin of Hollywood, FL.

Caryn Adelman is a Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and in the past held many other positions within the federation. She served on the Board of the Council of Jewish Federations and is very much involved in the work of UJA, UJC, and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Among her civic duties, Caryn Adelman served as a Trustee in the Village of Winnetka; she served as President of the League of Women Voters and President of Winnetka Village PTA. A recipient of the Yonatan Netanyahu Award of the Friends of the IDF and of Wexner Heritage Foundation Prize, her other honors include the Young Leadership Award from the Chicago Federation and being named to the Outstanding Young Women of America. Caryn Adelman has a B.S. degree in Municipal Park Administration from the University of Illinois and a Master's degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Philanthropy and Development.

Ann Lesser currently serves as the President of the AFMDA Los Angeles Council.              Born in South Africa, she has been involved with MDA since childhood. Her other         South African Jewish affiliations included support of the Federation and JNF.  In the United States, she is active with  SAJAC, the South African Jewish Community. She is a graduate of University of Rhodes in South Africa and currently owns a travel company, Travel Spirit.  Lesser has served on the Western Region Board of AFMDA for six years.

Karen Pack is a longtime leader in the Jewish community in Kansas City and is the immediate past president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. She is a daughter of Holocaust survivors.  A longtime Federation volunteer, Pack has been a member of the Board of Directors and has chaired numerous committees and events. Active on the national Jewish scene, Karen is a board member of the National Women’s Constituency of the United Jewish Communities and is a member of its Executive Committee.  She is also a board member of The Israel Project. Karen has worked with the Jewish Community Foundation in Kansas City serving as Vice President and a trustee.  Other Jewish organizations she has been involved with include the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, the Jewish Community Center, Israel Bonds, Hadassah, Jewish Family & Children’s Services and the Menorah Medical Center Auxiliary.  She has been an active member of her synagogue, Kehilath Israel, having served on its board.

Erica Solodkin is the President-elect of the AFMDA Southeast Regional Board. She serves as the Managing Director of Marketing of FDR Financial Group Inc. She is responsible for administering the firm's public relations and marketing activities. 
Before joining FDR Financial Group, Erica specialized in marketing real estate properties in the South Florida area.  Solodkin is a Member of the National Association of Life Underwriters and the Broward Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.  She is a Board member of the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Friends of the Broward Outreach Center, Board member of The Interfaith Council of Greater Hollywood, and a graduate of Leadership Hollywood as well as Leadership Broward.  She is an alumna of Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York.

  
 
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MDA DEDICATE NEW    SDEROT MDA EMERGENCY MEDICAL STATION  

SDEROT (March 31, 2008)  -- Just days after the Sderot area experienced the its latest brush with terror from a Qassam attack when a rocket slammed down near a neighborhood kindergarten, the city received a much needed upgrade to its essential services with the opening of a brand new Magen David Adom Emergency Medical Station. 

The new facility, built by American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), replaces a makeshift building built over 30 years ago that had recently been condemned for structural problems. The lead gifts were made in memory of Judy Kaplan of New York City and Esther and Hyman Rapport of Cleveland, OH.

Beneath cloudy skies and the always present threat of renewed Qassam strikes, an enthusiastic audience of dignitaries, including Minister of Health Yaacov Ben-Yizri, Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal and Cultural Attache for the US Embassy in Tel Aviv Efraim Cohen, marked the opening alongside local Sderot paramedics, the leadership of Magen David Adom in Israel and friends of Magen David Adom from around the world.

In his remarks, Ben-Yizri said the day was a cause for both celebration as well as sadness,   “We are excited that we can open such a grand and impressive facility, yet we are saddened by the knowledge that, at least in the near future, it will be called upon to treat the wounded from the surrounding areas,” he said.  “When we see the work of these paramedics, we see examples of excellence where despite the situation and the dangers, they always perform remarkably.”

Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal spoke of his city’s sincere appreciation for the goodwill that has been shown to them by the international community saying, “While it may be that life is difficult here, the fact that people on the other side of the world care for us and support projects such as this new MDA station, this is what gives us strength to continue on and I can promise you today that this city will never fall.”

Prior to the official ribbon cutting of the new station, Daniel R. Allen, Chief Executive Officer of American Friends of Magen David Adom, saluted the donors who made the project possible and said the new facility would permanently enhance the already dedicated level of care MDA is able to provide Sderot and the surrounding areas.  “What we have done is follow the instructions of Rav Kook.  What was old we have made new and what is new we have made holy. We have been able to take an old station desperately in need of repair and make a new one that is both holy and of which all the people of Sderot and Israel can be proud.  This town is a true symbol of courage and conviction and we as American Jews feel it is important to say that when the people of Sderot are under attack, we too feel their pain.”

The new Sderot station combines a large ambulance bay area with a dispatch facility, offices and multiple rooms for crews to rest during shifts.  The building was constructed to updated standards that make much of it protected against rocket attacks, allowing crews to easily move to safety when hearing the “Tzeva Adom”alert.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Sderot resident and former Minister of Defense Amir Peretz, Professor Yehuda Skornick, President of MDA Israel, Dr. Noam Yifrach, Chairman of MDA Israel and Eli Bin, Director General of MDA Israel.  Veteran Israeli broadcaster Haim Yavin served as the master of ceremonies.


 

Working 24/7 for the people of Israel, MDA ambulances and other vehicles travel 5.65 million operational miles in an average year.

 
 
   
-
- -