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Volunteers from local schools and youth groups and long standing supporters generously gave their time on Sunday April 2, 2017 to man the phones for MDA’s Red Sunday Telethon to raise money to fund a 4 x 4 life Support Ambulance for MDA Israel.

The request for these ambulances came recently from Israel because they can cover rough and treacherous terrain and extreme weather conditions.

With the help of tax deductible status, the focus was on maximising the benefit of every contribution to best meet Israel’s needs in the quest to save precious lives.

The community responded generously to the calls and together with the Pesach Appeal we will soon purchase a new 4×4 ambulance for Israel.

We extend thanks to Tony and Carolyn Ziegler who made the Tee-Zed offices and phones available for the day and our faithful volunteers – we couldn’t have done it without you.

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The annual Solicitors, Accountants and Professionals luncheon was held on March 13, 2017 entitled ‘Denial, Defamation and Discourse: the boundaries between legitimate comment and hate speech ‘with Robert Goot.

Mr Goot reviewed the celebrated victory of Prof Deborah Lipstadt against Holocaust denier David Irving in the English High Court in 2001, and examined the Australian Law response, specifically addressing the findings of the parliamentary inquiry into 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

The luncheon was well attended with professionals taking the opportunity to support Magen David Adom and network at the same time.

Our thanks to all that attended and to Keith Bethlehem and his firm Colin Biggers and Paisley for hosting the event.

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This November, MDA Israel celebrated the acquisition of 13 new ambulances and MICUs as well as 41 first responder motorbikes. Amongst these were an amazing 23 new first responder medicycles and one ambulance, donated entirely by the Friends of MDA of NSW at the idyllic Tulip Winery in Tivon, Israel.

The boutique, communal winery was established for those with “a great love of wine and a great love of people,” and is aimed at enabling those with special needs to become valued members of a working community. The Tulip Winery allows and encourages a diverse group of people to develop their own individual skills to become worthy members of the workforce.

The day marked an incredibly special occasion for MDA, with Board members from countries including Belgium, France, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, USA, UK and Australia glowing with excitement as these crucial, life-saving vehicles were unveiled.

Tears of happiness flowed freely as members entered the winery with pride and exaltation. The gorgeous weather allowed the perfect backdrop, while guests were treated to tasty food and delicious local wine. However, the main event was of course to welcome the vehicles to MDA. It is no secret that MDA’s incredible work relies heavily on donations from around the world, especially as each year many of the older ambulances and medicycles are retired from active service due to wear and tear of heavy use, and it was incredible to see the standout achievement that has come from dedicated Australians from NSW. The Australian attendees from NSW, on the day were permitted to actually sit on the medicycles, where they could take a close look at the scooters which will save countless lives in the coming months and years. Representing MDA in NSW were President Roland Nagel and his wife Margaret, Vice-President Tony Ziegler and his wife Carolyn, and Board member Melissa McCurdie.

The Friends of MDA in NSW could not be prouder or more excited by the wonderful generosity demonstrated by its members. They have worked hard to raise the profile of this important cause, and to help in a way that will make immediate, real change is gratifying in more ways than one; to be able to physically witness the way that one’s own dedication can directly lead to saving lives is an unbeatable feeling.

The NSW Board would like to thank all involved from donors and supporters to all Board members. The presentation in Tivon was a truly rewarding experience that we will never forget.

Magen David Adom friends filled the cinema at Westfield on Sunday November 20 to see a mouth-watering documentary about food from all over Israel. “In Search of Israeli Cuisine” portrayed a diverse, multi-cultural society which has adapted a huge variety of foods and food styles to its own lifestyle and taste.

The evening commenced with a raffle with a wide range of generous prizes.

Josh Bolot, MDA Board member, was the MC for the evening. In his welcome, Josh highlighted the wonderful support of the NSW community as reflected in the recent donation by NSW Friends of MDA of 21 Medicycles and an ambulance to MDA Israel, whilst lamenting that these are still so vitally necessary. He revealed that MDA “also has a recipe. We blend 13,000 volunteers from all parts of society, mix in 730,000 phone calls and 300,000 blood units, add 900 vehicles, sprinkle in the support and love of international friends like us in New South Wales, and dispatch from 124 stations. This serves life-saving support in Israel all day, every day regardless of race or religion and contributes to international humanitarian situations.“

THANK YOU

We extend our thanks for donation of snacks to:

Michael Gordon, Wild One for the water
Manfred Frankel of Good Food Catering, and David Wolf for the nougat
Clive Sher for the Ari bars
Krinskys & Yumis for the humous snack packs

Raffle prizes were generously donated by:

Marc Rom, Raymond Weil, a watch value $1000
Len Milner, Mayfair, 2 suitcases value $800
Larry Porter, Ice watch male value $229 & female watch value $199
Lisa Goldberg, Monday Morning Cooking Club, 2 cookbooks and an apron, value $115
Wash Treatment and Blow Dry, Hair by Rita Raikhel, Bondi Junction, value $110
Tony & Carolyn Ziegler, Dreambaby voucher value $100
Josh Bolot, Signed Neil Perry Cookbook, value $80
Sterling Laundry, Wash & fold 2 doonas and 4 pillows, value $60

We thank everyone for their attendance and support making the evening a great success.

On September 26, The Friends of Magen David Adom NSW were invited to Parliament House to address a meeting of the Christian Worldview Forum hosted by parliamentarian, the Hon David Clarke MLC. Participants came from far and wide around the state to hear about Magen David Adom and its lifesaving work.

The Hon David Clarke MLC welcomed everyone to Parliament saying, “We are amongst friends today”. Expressing his abiding support of Israel he said that Australia had recently experienced acts of terrorism and violence which Israel has had to face daily for years and urging everyone there to support Israel and the Jewish people – the only democracy in the Middle East.

Roland Nagel, President of the Friends of MDA was then invited to address the gathering describing how “Magen David Adom, as an organisation, enables us to become better people by showing love to and care for our neighbours, the opportunity to perform acts of kindness and charitable deeds, giving blessings to Israel, and carrying out the holy mission of saving lives.” Roland gave a brief history of MDA describing its role both within Israel and internationally through its humanitarian relief work.

Louise Southwell, the Coordinator of the Christian Friends in Australia, thanked for the opportunity to reach out to the Christian Community channelling their efforts to work together to save lives through MDA. Louise was excited to announce that the Christian Friends of NSW will, for the first time, be dedicating a Medicycle for the people of Israel which will bear the inscription recognising their Australian contribution.

Jacqui Bakker, representing both Christian Friends of Magen David Adom and Christians for Israel, also spoke with excitement about the opportunity to show support and solidarity with the State of Israel. She will be working with Louise spreading awareness of MDA’s holy work and expanding the membership of the Christian Friends for MDA.

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Drizzly weather did not deter guests from attending the The President’s Dinner on 1st August 2016 which was graciously hosted by Harry and Rhonda Triguboff at their beautiful harbourside home. Testament to the spirit of support that fittingly prevailed on the night was the spontaneous donation of five First Responder Medicyles, by Robert and Ruth Magid, Nora Goodridge and Millie Phillips. NSW Friends of Magen David Adom was honoured to host from Magen David Adom Israel Mr Eli Bin, Director General of Magen David Adom Israel, Mr Alon Fridman, CFO and Mr Ido Golan-Gutin, Manager International Relations – Australian Liaison. President Roland Nagel warmly acknowledged the support of Mr Bin as evidenced by his presence. Mr Bin paid tribute in turn to the President’s true dedication to the cause, and acknowledged the vital role of MDA’s Friend societies around the world.

Speakers included MDA Paramedic Aaron Adler, once again moving those present with an emotional and honest account of the mixed emotions behind his MDA service; Sydneysider Megan Bernitz who was caught up in the attack at Sarona Market whilst volunteering for MDA in Israel; and the charismatic and charming Noa Tishby, activist and actor/who chatted with the audience about how her career led her to activism for Israel to the extent that The Jerusalem Post nominated her as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world.

A huge thank you to all sponsors who helped to make the evening such an unmitigated success and to all donors at both functions whose generous support has enabled NSW Friends of MDA to supply Israel with a fantastic 16 Medicycles and a Bulletproof Ambulance.

A capacity crowd joined together for NSW Friends of Magen David Adom main campaign on Sunday night 31st July at the InterContinental Hotel in Double Bay. Over 350 people were moved to tears, brought to their feet and most importantly, united in support of the incredible work done by Magen David Adom in Israel.

There was hardly a dry eye in the house when MDA Paramedic Aaron Adler spoke of the challenges of his job as a First Responder. Aaron, a lawyer, medical student and young father, operates the First Responder Medicycle donated to MDA by Moriah College and the NSW Community. Megan Bernitz, an ex-Masada student, was volunteering for MDA in Israel when she was caught up in the terrorist attack at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv. That experience was life-changing, and earned her a standing ovation on Sunday night. Guest Noa Tishby, an Israeli actor/producer with a successful Hollywood career, charmed and impressed with her account of her journey to becoming an ardent and effective voice for Israel.

All this contributed to a worthy and memorable night, which most importantly was successful in raising funds for more than a dozen First Responder Medicycles for Israel.