Your health and safety will always be a top priority for Magen David Adom. With this in mind, we have postponed our Palm Beach Gala to the new date listed below. We regret any inconvenience and look forward to celebrating with you in December.
NEW DATE
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Featuring
Howie Mandel
World-Renowned Comedian, Actor, and Television Host
The Breakers Palm Beach
1 South County Road
1929
Jewish towns in the British Mandate lacked even the most elementary first-aid services as Arabs attacked in deadly riots.
First-aid station in Jerusalem, 1939
1930
Magen David Adom (MDA) was founded on June 7, 1930, in Tel Aviv by seven Israeli doctors who set up a one-room emergency medical service in a dilapidated hut.
Provisional vehicle for patient transfer
1930
Motorcycles and bicycles are introduced to help transport the injured.
1931
A second MDA group was formed in Haifa.
1934
In Jerusalem, a third group of emergency medical responders was formed.
1935
MDA groups around the country united to form a national emergency medical organization, serving both the public and the Haganah. The group had only several dozen volunteers and a small truck converted into an ambulance.
The first MDA ambulance
1936-1939
MDA grew in the wake of a second wave of anti-Jewish riots as the organization cared for the wounded and gave first-aid training to the Haganah and auxiliary police.
Ambulance at Mt. Scopus Station
First-aid station in Jerusalem, 1939
1940
A group of dedicated and concerned Americans founded American Red Mogen Dovid for Palestine, known today as American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), to support the fledging MDA by raising funds for upgraded medical supplies and blood services.
1948
During Israel’s War of Independence, ambulances and blood collection vans donated by American supporters played a critical role in MDA’s response in treating soldiers and civilians injured in the attacks.
Ambulance on fire in Jerusalem in 1948
Ambulances donated by Americans setting sail for Israel from New York in 1949
1950
The Magen David Adom Law was enacted by Israel’s Knesset, establishing MDA as Israel’s official national Red Cross society and mandating that it provide all emergency medical, ambulance, and blood services. The mandate did not provide government funding, so American donors stepped up their efforts to supply MDA with the necessary equipment.
Blood donation campaign
1967
Jerusalem was reunited after the Six-Day War, bringing more territory under the jurisdiction of MDA’s Jerusalem Station and requiring more supplies and personnel. As new immigrants arrived around the country, additional MDA stations were constructed to serve the growing population.
First responder during the Six-Day War
1970s
As terrorism and the “war of attrition” took a toll on Israel’s people, MDA treated the wounded.
1973
When Israel was attacked during the Yom Kippur War, MDA mobilized immediately, evacuating casualties from border communities and transferring wounded soldiers to hospitals.
Rescuing injured soldiers during the Yom Kippur War
1980s
MDA’s National Blood Services Center was constructed with the help of American donors.
MDA National Blood Services Center
1980
MDA deploys dozens of motorcycles, including this one in Jerusalem.
1982
During the First Lebanon War, MDA stepped up again as Israel’s “second line of defense” and treated civilian and military victims.
MDA and the Israel Defense Forces during First Lebanon War
1990-2005
As terrorist attacks became more frequent, MDA provided a high level of medical care to victims, often under life-threatening conditions.
Bus after terror attack
2006
Just days after the International Red Cross finally welcomed MDA as a member, the Second Lebanon War began and rockets pounded northern Israel. MDA treated more than 2,600 victims, supplied more than 20,000 blood units, and brought humanitarian aid to more than 30,000 people in bomb shelters.
2009
Communities in the western Negev came under attack during the Gaza War. MDA was again on high alert, racing to the scene of 1,180 rocket attacks and treating 770 casualties. Thanks to MDA EMTs and paramedics, only four civilians lost their lives.
Rescuing rocket attack victims in Sderot
2013
MDA unveils the first ALS Medicycle, a faster 500cc model with a larger storage unit designed to bring additional equipment to emergency scenes.
2018
MDA inaugurates 500th Medicycle and introduces a two-wheeled 650cc Suzuki V-Strom as part of the First Responder Fleet. MDA has 600 Medicycles by year’s end.
Suzuki V-Strom
Today
Israel’s population continues to grow, and so does the need for emergency medical services. With the support of American donors, MDA stations are being renovated and built around the country, new medical technologies is developed, paramedics train in the latest rescue techniques, and MDA saves lives in Israel every day.
