Development Assistant Chanel Dellentash and National Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications Marcelle May introduce Hillel students from North Miami Beach to the Red Bag Mitzvah project at the Community Action Fair.

More than 150 people attended a dinner at Michaels On East in Sarasota to learn about AFMDA and world columnist Frida Ghitis speak about current affairs.  During the evening, Linda Lederberg was honored for her donation of an ambulance in memory of her husband, which was spotted by Linda's friend in Tel Aviv.  In the left photo are Renee Hamad, Diane Slattery, Chair Gila Meriwether, Alice Cotman, Nikki Nilon, Dr. Rachel Dulin, and Dr. Halen Fagin.  In the right photo are Nikki Nilon, Gila Meriwether, World Columnist Frida Ghitis, Linda Lederberg, Marilyn Schroeter, and AFMDA Southeast Region Director Bob Schwartz.

A large group gathered at the Chabad Naples JCC to learn about AFMDA and hear an overview of the Middle East Situation from world affairs columnist Frida Ghitis.  From left to right are co-chairs Yochi Melnick and Kim Gerson, Frida Ghitis and Rabbi Fishel Zakos.

Myrna Skurnick was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the annual Diamond Circle Chanuka Party.  She donated a bomb shelter for the William H. Bloomberg MDA Jerusalem Station because when she was a child in Britain during WWII, she had to go to many bomb shelters.  In this photo, she receives the award from Dinner Chair Marsha Deakter.

Long time supporter Ilsa Rooz donated her 14th ambulance in honor of Ira Mogitz, AFMDA's Southeast Region Director of Development for his 43 years of dedication, service and deep commitment to the people of Israel.  She complimented Mogitz by saying, "I think he's a very capable, dedicated and hardworking man who does his job well and he's come a personal friend."

Students and children from the Chanuka Festival in Broward County got a chance to see a Magen David Adom ambulance up close before it is shipped to Israel.

Iris and Dan Fujita held a parlor meeting to introduce their friends to the lifesaving work of MDA.  Southeast Board Member Dr. Mauricio Lynn, Director of the Mass Casualty and Response Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital and retired IDF Lt. Colonel who served as the IDF Head of Trauma, enlightened the guests about the close relationship between the military and the MDA emergency services.  From left to right are Southeast Board member Rabbi Hector Epelbaum of Beth David Congregation, Iris Fujita, Dr. Mauricio Lynn, and Dan Fujita.

For Bernie Nenner's 104th birthday, he and his wife Frances, from the Aston Gardens Chapter, donated an ambulance.  "You read the papers about what is going on in that country and how they get in trouble all the time and are attacked on all sides.  I wanted to help and I know how they need the ambulances," Nenner said.  "I thought it was the best way to spend my money."  On the left Bernie sits in the driver's seat with Frances by his side.  On the right, Aston Gardens Past President Dr. Fritz Froehlich, President Ferdi Baler, and Parkland Mayor Michael Udine watch donors Bernie and Frances Nenner cut the ribbon.

The Aston Gardens Chapter in Parkland celebrated its 7 year anniversary.  Funds raised include an ambulance donated by Rita and Walter Bernstein, an Equipment Room and Security Package for the Beit She'an Station, and a Refurbished Ambulance Package.  In the left photo are Sy Brief, National Board Member and Southeast Region Chairman Emeritus; Jacob Brodzki, Vice President and Founding Chapter Board Member; and Ferdi Baler, Chapter President.  In the right photo are Betty Remlinger, Membership Chair, and ambulance donor Rita Bernstein.

Mazel tov to Noah Waigand from Ormond Beach, FL, for raising enough money for the Red Bag of Courage Mitzvah Project, with the help of his family, friends and the "Keren Ami Charity Fund" from the Temple Beth El Religious School.  Noah's mother is a nurse, so he grew up seeing how hard she works to help others and the difference one person can make.  With the help of Cantor Zev Sonnenstein, he choose this project.  He hopes that he will able to make a trip to Israel and meet some of his heroes, the first responders of MDA.

Some of the leadership of the Southeast Region stopped by to welcome Consul General Chaim Shacham, to South Florida.  He was presented with a Red Bag of Courage from creators Judy and Dan Dobin, which is a replica of the paramedic’s kit which is used by all MDA volunteer “first responders” when racing to the scene of a medical emergency.   This is a mitzvah project where participants raise $1,000 – which is the price of a fully outfitted first responder’s bag – and as a special thank you from AFMDA, they will receive their own monogrammed replica bag.  From left to right are Dan Dobin, National Vice Chair of Fundraising and Southeast Region Board Member;  Judy Dobin, Southeast Region Board Member; Consul General Chaim Shacham; Barry Goldstein, Porto Vita Chairman; and Rabbi Larry Schuval, Southeast Region President.

Campers from Camp Sinai in North Miami Beach, FL were thrilled to see the inside of an ambulance before being shipped to the city of Yerucham, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s sister city in Israel.   Donor Irene Baros had the opportunity to show the children firsthand the importance of tzedakah and the mitzvah of saving lives. A few days later, family and friends gathered at Temple Sinai of North Dade to formally dedicate the ambulance in memory of J. William Baros, Jr. by his family.

Future MDA volunteers joined the Max Friedman Orlando Chapter and toured an MDA ambulance at Israel's Independence at the Orlando Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration.

A crowd gathered at Temple Beth Am to celebrate the three Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances that were dedicated by the Fairholme Foundation in memory of Barney Berkowitz, Jack Schneider and Israel Pelowsky. “The Fairholme Foundation is honored to donate these three ambulances to the people of Israel,” said Tracey Berkowitz, Fairholme Foundation president and trustee.  “We are proud to be a participant in the greatest mitzvah of all, the saving of lives." 

Over 100 family members and friends, many from Chevy Chase, MD, gathered at the home of Linda Lederberg in Longboat Key, FL, 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 AFMDA Southeast Region Director Robert Schwartz, Sarasota Jewish Federation Representative Gila Meriwether, Dr. Steven and Dr. Lisa Bleckner, Linda Lederberg, Valerie Lederberg, Evan Lederberg, Daniel Lederberg, Joshua Lederberg, and Charlie Lederberg.

Over 100 residents of the Weston community gathered to see the movie “The Little Traitor” and raise funds and awareness for AFMDA.  Left to right are Esther Saig, Beth Cohen, Betty Rutner, Renee' Cohen, Co-chair Annetta Weller Epstein, Nora Teltser, and Co-chair Richard Gottlieb in back.

Porto Vita Friends held their Annual Celebration of Life Dinner chaired by Barry and Patricia Goldstein.  During the evening, Ellen and Herb Moelis were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and a Proclamation from the City of Aventura for their commitment to life and the People and State of Israel. Before dinner, two ambulances were on display and dedicated before being shipped to save lives in Israel.  The first was dedicated by Herb Moelis’ children and grandchildren in honor of his 80^th birthday and the other from Porto Vita Friends of AFMDA Founder Morris Deakter and Nina Korall and their families.  Left to right are AFMDA CEO Arnold Gerson, Porto Vita Chair Barry Goldstein, Honorees Herb and Ellen Moelis, Nina Korall, Porto Vita Founder Morris Deakter, and daughters Marsha and Cheryl Deakter.

Bryan Spiegelman proudly displays his Red Bag that he received from AFMDA after completing his bar mitzvah project through Beth Torah in North Miami Beach..  Bryan is a Zionist, loves Israel and everything about it.  He chose the Red Bag Mitzvah Project to help equip MDA's first responders when responding to accidents, illnesses, pregnancies, heart attacks, strokes or war and terror incidents. He then found out that his great great uncle donated an ambulance through this organization in honor of his 80th birthday in the 1980s.

Dr. Bernard Simmons and Lenore Toby-Simmons hosted Alan Dershowitz (middle) at a Dessert Reception At Williams Island

Ilsa Rooz is thanked by Ira Mogitz for the gifting of an ambulance in memory of her brother Herman Korycan

AFMDA supporters celebrated Chanuka at the Annual Diamond Circle Party where generous annual donors were recognized. This year's honorees Judy and Monroe Milstein were presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award and Annetta and Dr. David Epstein were presented with the Sally and Joseph Handleman Leadership Award.  Through their gifts of time, labor and love, they embody and personify the true spirit of giving and have demonstrated a purpose of spirit and a dedication of doing good deeds.

Judy and Monroe Milstein                 Dr. David and Annetta Epstein

AFMDA Director of Development Ira Mogitz presents an appreciation award to Andrew Nullman for his outstanding guidance, leadership, commitment and dedication to AFMDA.  Andrew celebrated his 50th birthday and asked that all gifts be donations to his favorite charity, AFMDA.  Left to right are Ira Mogitz, Brenda, Jaclyn, Samantha and Andrew Nullman.

The Habonim Cultural Club Survivors of the Holocaust hosted the dedication of a fully equipped MICU donated by Elsa and Ben Glucksberg, which is their third ambulance.  From left to right are Habonim Cultural Club Chair David Katus, Elsa and Ben Glucksberg, and President Sam Gasson

Dan Dobin, National and Southeast Region Board Member, and Judy Dobin, Southeast Region Board Member, Erica Solodkin, Southeast Region President, and National Vice Chairman Harvey Rafofsky, at a private dinner at the Dobin home

Leadership Council member Renee Cohen and her daughter Veronica at the Ft. Lauderdale Fashion Show with proceeds benefiting AFMDA

Leadership Council members Nora Teltser, Susan Weinstein and Annetta Epstein, Southeast Region Vice President, at the Annual Leadership Council Luncheon at the Tower Club in Ft. Lauderdale

Guy Caspi, Senior MDA Paramedic, spoke before two large groups in Chapel Hill/Durham and Raleigh, North Carolina.  He also visited with students from the Raleigh Jewish Day School who presented him with tzedaka.  Students are pictured with Guy Caspi, Rabbi Lev Cotlar of the Jewish Academy of Wake County and Roger Harris.  The event chairs were Margaret Sachs in Chapel Hill/Durham and Jean and Roger Harris in Raleigh.

Lili Schachter of Pembroke Pines and her children and grandchildren dedicated an ambulance in loving memory of those family members who perished in the Holocaust.

Rose Furmanski of Aventura and her family celebrate the dedicaiton of an ambulance in memory of her son Rodney at the Sterling Aventura.

The Margaret Morse family dedicated an ambulance in loving memory of their bubby and mother Margaret Morse last year.  While visiting Jerusalem, a Margaret Morse Tour got to see their mitzvah while learning about the important mission of MDA.

Evelyn Aimis of Aimis Fine Art presents a check to Director of Development Ira Mogitz and Porto Vita Chair Barry Goldstein from proceeds of her Art Auction.

Ira Mogitz, Director of Development, presents Habonim Cultural Club - Survivors of the Holocaust Leadership David Katus and Sam Gasson with awards for their outstanding efforts and annual support.

Racheli Platt Raised Funds for the Red Bag Of Courage Mitzvah Project. "I chose this project because I know how important the Red Cross is in America and my rabbi, Michael Resnick of Temple Emanu-el of Palm Beach, told me about Magen David Adom, the "Red Cross" in Israel.  I like to help people and thought it would be a great idea if I could raise money for MDA. I have also figured out in life you must give back not only take in. At my bat mitzvah, I recognized this organization and told everyone about it. My family and friends donated to the cause and as a result I received $3,000 and donated it to AFMDA.  I hope they use this money well and save many many more lives." 

Elisa Epstein has created two cookbooks to benefit AFMDA, one for young professionals and another which is a compilation of Jewish grandmothers' recipes from around the world. Each cookbook is $18 plus $3 shipping and handling. To order, mail a check payable to AFMDA to 3470 Windmill Ranch Rd., Weston, Fl. 33331.  For more info, call 954-547-0314 or email annettaweller@gmail.com.

Dr. Joel and Lynda Wilentz were honored with the Sally and Joseph Handleman Leadership Award at the Diamond Circle Chanuka Party on December 6 with proceeds going towards the Dr. Joel and Lynda Wilentz Biological and Chemical Defense Project at the MDA Haifa Emergency Medical Station and Blood Center.  Left to right are Congressman Larry Smith, Co-chair, Dr. Joel and Lynda Wilentz, Honorees, Erica Solodkin, Southeast Region President, Dr. Richard Greene, Co-chair.

Lois and Eugene Kessler (middle) were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Porto Vita Friends Celebration of Life Dinner chaired by Barry and Patricia Goldstein.  Special presentations were made to Founding Chair Morris Deaker in memory of his wife Annette, and to Bruce Berkowitz in memory of his uncle Jack Schneider.  Special guest speakers were Consul General Ofer Bavly (right) and Ambassador Danny Biran (left), the first Israeli on the ground in Haiti after the earthquake.  The General Chairs were Barry and Patricia Goldstein (below).