Three generations of Schwarzwalders participated in an ambulance dedication on Madison Avenue in NYC for a MICU which was donated in honor of their family.  From left to right are Michael, Liz, and Dana Schwarzwalder, Avi Levine, Northeast Regional Director Gary Perl, Dan and Susan Schwarzwalder, Meyer Silver, Sara Schwarzwalder, and John Cooper.

Students from Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston, NJ, and Ramaz Middle School in NYC, heard the inspiring story of MDA paramedic Shira Applebaum Maresky.  In the left photo from Kushner Hebrew Academy are Middle School Principal Rabbi Jacob Haller, Associate Principal Natalie Lichtman, Shira Applebaum Maresky, and High School Principal Rabbi Motti Miller.  In the right photo from RAMAZ Middle School are Morris Dahan, Shira Applebaum Maresky, Principal Judy Sokolow, Shifra Gad, Peggy Dahan, and Aaron Dahan.  The Gad-Dahan family donated an armored-plated ambulance to MDA during the Intifada.

MDA paramedic Shira Applebaum Maretsky shared her story with many AFMDA supporters of the Chai Tov Chapter NYC (left) and supporters at the home of Marvin and Pearla Weisman in Springfield, NJ (right).  On the left (top row) Dylan Kurlansky, AFMDA NE Region Development Coordinator, Nancy Shulman, Ariel Maretsky, Gary Perl, AFMDA NE Regional Director; (middle row) Winnie Shughrue, Susan Stern, Margarete Birnbaum, Suzanne Weissman, Blanche Benjamin; (bottom row) Amy Ullman, Shira Applebaum Maretsky, Roz Goldstein.  In the right photo are Rabbi Chaim Marcus, Norman Weisman, Shira Applebaum Maretsky, Pearla Weisman, and Emma Hoffer.

The Men's Club at the Great Neck Synagogue hosted a breakfast.  Speakers included Shani Rozanes, Press Officer of the Consulate General of State of Israel in NY, Gary Perl, Northeast Regional Director, and Yeduha Ebin, a former MDA Overseas Volunteer. Left to right are Hillel Milun, Men's Club President and Event Chair; Shani Rozanes; Milt Mitzner, Great Neck Synagogue Israel Action Committee member and Gary Perl.

Hurricane Irene couldn't stop Irene Duell's Ambulance dedication, which took place in Westport, CT, one week after Hurricane Irene.  The ambulance, the second one for the family, was named in memory of Mrs. Duell's first husband, Manny.  Lleft to right are Gary Perl, Northeast Regional Director, Irene Duell, Ben Duell, Colonel Jon De Sola-Mendes, Vanessa, and Nicholas Duell.

Children donate an ambulance in honor of their parents in Teaneck, New Jersey. Honorees Jewel and Walter Brenner are seated.  Behind them are Dr. Michael and Susan Edwards, NE Regional Director Gary Perl, James Brenner, Former MDA Overseas Volunteer Jamie Edwards, Robert Brenner, and Byron and Amanda Edwards.

Donor Donna Fried Calcaterra, Founder of the 613 Foundation, had the opportunity to show guests firsthand the importance of tzedakah and the mitzvah of saving lives at her ambulance dedication at Park Avenue Synagogue in NYC. Citing the exceptional medical care Calcaterra received, she noted that, “Drs. Lewis Lipsey and Joshua Tannenbaum literally saved my life.  It is only fitting that an ambulance bearing their names saves countless lives in Israel.  I am thrilled to be able to do it.”  This is the sixth emergency vehicle that Calcaterra has donated to American Friends of Magen David Adom. From left to right are Gary Perl, AFMDA Northeast Regional Director; Karen Berger, AFMDA Associate Northeast Regional Director; Dr. Lewis Lipsey, Mt. Sinai hematologist; Dr. Joshua Tannenbaum, Mt. Sinai endocrinologist; Barbara Tannenbaum; and Donna Fried Calcaterra, donor.

MDA President Dr. Yehuda Skornick spoke before the Advisory Leadership Committee (ALC) of NY AFMDA.  Pictured left to right are Daniel Tubian, Dr. Eva Ebin, Dr. Yehuda Skornick, Yehuda Ebin, Pearla Weissman, Esti Skornick, Dr. Jamie and Sylvia Sznajder.

On Sunday, June 5, AFMDA marched up Fifth Avenue in the Celebrate Israel Parade in front of one million spectators lining the streets and watching on TV. The float, ambulance, and marchers were greeted with enthusiastic applause all along the parade route.

A MICU, one of several vehicles donated by the 613 Foundation headed by Donna Fried Calcaterra of Park Ridge, NJ, was dedicated at Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff, NJ.  The vehicle memorializes her great-grandmother, Laskeh Helig Freidin — aka “The Great Bubbe Laskeh” — who collected food for the hungry in her pre-World War II Polish shtetl and then was starved to death as persecution of Jews worsened. Through their foundation, Calcaterra and her 25-year-old daughter, Jenna, have donated five vehicles — including a specially constructed bloodmobile.

“I had wanted to donate an ambulance since my first visit to Israel in 1970,” said Calcaterra. “I saw all the MDA ambulances dedicated to people, and I thought if I were ever rich enough it was something I’d like to do."  From left to right are Karen Berger, AFMDA Assoc. NE Regional Director, Daryn Javer, Dennis Javer, Sharon Javer, Jack Berger, Deanna Javer, and Carol Berger in the wheelchair.  Donna Calcaterra is in the passenger's seat with Rabbi Dr. Kenneth A. Emert, Ian Zimmerman, Temple President, and Gary Perl, AFMDA NE Regional Director. 

AFMDA National Chairman Mark D. Lebow presents the Maimonides Award to Eda Ferman and family for donating an ambulance in memory of the late Symon Ferman.  Rabbi David Gelfand of Temple Israel NYC addressed the hundreds of students and parents in attendance.  From left to right are Mark and Gaby Lehrer, Eda Ferman, Mark Lebow and Allison and Michael Chiaramonte.

MDA Deputy Director Ori Shacham presents the Red Bag of Courage to Ramaz Middle School Read-a-thon participants and Judith Rose, RN. It will be used in the Ramaz Lower School.

Over 100 Jewish young professionals enjoyed an open bar and dessert buffet at AFMDA's Pre-Passover Happy Hour, which took place at Chelsea Manor in NYC.  In addition to getting their fill of chametz before it's time for Manischewitz and matzoh, party-goers listed to Arielle Feit, former MDA Overseas volunteer and helped support the lifesaving work of MDA.  All proceeds were allocated to MDA's Emergency Medical Station in Sderot. In the left photo are Jenna Rissien, Erica Folkoff, Tami Jacobs, Jacob Gitzis, and Ariela Ades.  On the right are Mike Muntner, Jill Baum, Ben Markowitz and Sara Friedman.

Leadership and major donors of the New York/New Jersey area attended a Dessert Reception at the home of Consul General of Israel Ido Aharoni, where he presented the latest Middle East developments.  Ori Shacham, MDA Deputy Director and former head of the Lachish MDA Region, updated guests on MDA in Israel and his recent mission to Haiti.  Left to right are Ori Shacham, Susan and Herbert Donner, Consul General Ido Aharoni, AFMDA Benefactors Dr. Jaime and Sylvia Sznajder, and AFMDA Chairman Mark D. Lebow.

Over 100 family members and friends, many from Chevy Chase, MD, gathered at the home of Linda Lederberg to dedicate an ambulance in memory of Linda’s husband, Edward (Yehuda) Lederberg, who was born in Jerusalem and raised in Tel Aviv.  Grandson Charlie Lederberg displays his monogrammed Red Bag of Courage, which he raised money for as his mitzvah project.  From left to right are Dr. Steven and Dr. Lisa Bleckner, Linda Lederberg, Valerie Lederberg, Evan Lederberg, Daniel Lederberg, Joshua Lederberg, and Charlie Lederberg.

Meyer Zinn, who is seated in the driver's seat surrounded by family and friends, dedicated an ambulance in New York City in memory of Moses and Pesel Zinn

Temple Gates of Prayer - Congregation Shaarai Tefilla in Flushing, NY, donated a MICU in honor of its long-time beloved Rabbi Albert and Shirley Thaler.  The 110-year old congregation is the oldest synagogue on the North Shore of Long Island, NY.  After holding a dedication in Flushing, Rabbi Thaler led his congregation on its semi-annual trip to Israel to oficially present the ambulance.  In the photo on the left, Rabbi Albert Thaler is sitting in the driver's seat and left to right are President Illy Brown and Past Presidents Stephen Abramowitz, Arne Abramowitz, and Susan Smith.  In the photo on the right are Rabbi Albert Thaler, Mrs. Shirley Thaler, and Mrs. Illy Brown, handing the ambulance keys to MDA paramedics.

Temple Gates of Prayer in Flushing, NY, held an ambulance dedication for a Mobile Intensive Care Unit in honor of Rabbi Albert & Shirley Thaler.  Shown from left to right are Barry Grodenchik, Queens Deputy Borough President; Sheldon Handel, Ambulance Project co-chair; Rabbi Albert Thaler; Karen Berger, AFMDA Assoc. NE Regional Director; Gil Lainer, Consul for Public Diplomacy, Consulate General of Israel; Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President; Grace Meng, Assembly Member; and Toby Ann Stavisky, State Senator.  Not shown are Jack Sevita, Ambulance Project co-chair; Peter Koo, City Councilman; Shirley Thaler; and Illy Brown, Synagogue President.

Amy & Michael Wildes of Englewood, NJ, hosted a dessert reception in their home.  Left to right are Jeremy Fingerman, AFMDA Vice Chair; Arnold Gerson, AFMDA CEO, Karen Berger, NE Region Associate Director; Amy and Michael Wildes; and Speaker Juval Aviv, Former Mossad Agent & Homeland Security Expert.

Rabbi Emeritus Manfred Gans of Congregation Machane Chodosh, surrounded by family and congregants at an AFMDA Ambulance Dedication in Forest Hills, NY.  Ambulance was donated by the congregation in Honor of Rabbi Gans and in Memory of his wife Liselotte z”l.

AFMDA's Young Leadership hosted their first "happy hour" at Katwalk Lounge in Midtown Manhattan.  Over 140 Jewish professionals in their mid twenties and thirties attended.  Shown are committee members Mike Munter, Orly Hazbany, Sari Sherman, Jsesica Aspis, Michelle Laufer, Liza Schwartz, and Rob Schlissel.

Gary Perl, Northeast Regional Director, Rusty and Sarit Scott, Eliav Benjamin, Counselor for Political Affairs, Rabbi Susan Grossman and her husband David Boder and Karen Berger, Associate Regional Director, at a reception honoring Rabbi Susan Grossman and Detective Sarit Scott with AFMDA's 70/70 awards.  The reception was held at the State of Israel's Embassy in Washington, D.C. on the 37th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.

Susan Edwards, Paula Weiler, Northern Area VP of NJ State First Aid Council, Erez Geller, MDA Chief Paramedic, Dr. Aryeh Simmonds, Neonatologist at Winthrop University Hospital, and his wife Shira attend a brunch at Mocha Bleu in Teaneck, NJ.

Karen Berger, Associate Regional Director, Estelle Deutsch Abraham, Radio Host and Gary Perl, NE Regional Director celebrated 70 years of AFMDA on Community Radio Program AM 1120.

Erez Geller, MDA Chief Paramedic, center, spoke at the "Symposium on Terror Medicine and Security" conference at Montclair State University in NJ.  Standing next to him are Willard Gingerich, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, Nancy Connell, PhD, Bruria Adini, PhD,  Dr. Leonard Cole and Gary Perl, Northeast Regional Director. 

MDA Chief Paramedic Erez Geller briefs NY AFMDA leaders about the latest developments in New York City.  In the front row are Marcia Kimmelman, Dr. Sarah Sternklar, Roz Goldstein, Rita Gordonson, Erez Geller, Carol Buckmann, and Dr. Ebin.  In the back row, John Schwartz, Ken Saibel, AFMDA Director of Major Gifts, Karen Berger, AFMDA NE Associate Regional Director, Robert Levine, and Steve Schwartz.

Congregation Machane Chodesh, Forest Hills, NY, committee members Herbert Jaffee, President, Sam Bloom, Rabbi Manfred Gans, Josef Itskovich, Dr. Alex Cutler, former MDA overseas volunteer, Lucille Kain, Gary Perl, Northeast Regional Director, and Mark Plaine.

Stuart Ain of Cablevision Long Island, NY interviewed overseas volunteers Simon Basseyn and Dr. Alex Cutler, and Gary Perl, NE Regional Director on the Jewish Life TV Show.

Karen Berger, Associate NE Regional Director, hosts Shelley and Steve Schwartz and former overseas volunteer Simon Basseyn, who addressed the crowd, at a dessert reception held at the Schwartz home in Chappaqua, NY.

James Brenner, Dr. Michael Edwards, Robert Brenner, Jewel and Walter Brenner, and Jamie, Susan, Byron and Amanda Edwards attend the ambulance dedication of Jewel and Walter Brenner on their 60th anniversary in Teaneck, NJ..

Sam and Debbie Charnoff held a reception at their home in Potomac, MD, to raise funds for a feasiblity study for improving the Lod Emergency station.  Shown are Debbie and her son, Eitan, who is an overseas volunteer at the Lod Station.

Leon and Selma Sloane, surrounded by their children and grandchildren, dedicate their ambulance in Irvington, NY.

Ramaz Middle School students in New York City raise funds at their annual Read-a-thon

Norman and Perla Weisman, donors from NY/NJ, visit the construction site at the William H. Bloomberg MDA Station

A bloodmobile donated by Donna Fried Calcaterra, Founder of the 613 Foundation was dedicated at the YJCC in Washington Township, NJ, before Shabbat dinner with families from the Open Hearts, Open Homes Program.  In the center are Moshe Noyovich, AFMDA Senior Israel Representative and Donna Fried Calcalterra.

UN Ambassador Gabriela Shalev was presented with the Guardian of Israel Award at a private reception at her home in New York City.  Standing from left are National Board members Marina Lowy of New York, NY and Gershon Trimpol of Southampton, PA, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, and New Jersey Chairman Michael Wildes of Englewood, NJ

Bridges for Peace Representatives and Chairman Mark Terzano, along with Gary Perl, Northeast Regional Director at an AFMDA Dessert Reception in Sparta, NJ

Wally Kleid, Greater Baltimore Chapter Chairman presents the Maimonides Award to Viviane and Stuart Koenig for their generous ambulance donation

Salute to Israel Day Parade in NYC with this year’s float pulled by the Adolf and Dorothy Markus Ambulance.  Their family was on the float this year along with AFMDA staff, participating in parade activities. The parade delegation was led by American MDA Overseas Volunteers holding the AFMDA 70 Year Anniversary banner.

AFMDA Young Leadership Committee, a group of young professionals in their twenties and thirties who are dedicated in helping AFMDA raise funds and awareness through various programs and events, met to discuss future events in New York City. Shown are (top row) Orly Hazbany, Galit Dardashtian, Jessica Aspis, Jacob Kriegel, Allison Silverman, (bottom row) Rob Schlissel, Erica Folkoff, Sheeri Avrahami, and Becky Isaacson. To get involved, contact call 212-757-1627 or email info@afmda.org.

American Overseas volunteer MDA Paramedic Ed Shnekendorf, Wallace Kleid, AFMDA Greater Baltimore Friends Group President, Ina Sirkis, and AFMDA Northeast Regional Director Gary Perl participated in the Fairfax and Northern Virginia JCC Israel Fair with over 10,000 in attendance. Not Shown is Sarit Scott and her daughter of Derwood, MD.