Six ambulances sponsored at MDA Gala

Six ambulances sponsored at MDA Gala
By Randall P. Lieberman, Staff Writer 5:07 p.m. EST, March 3, 2014 More than 430 guests helped the Palm Beach Friends of Magen David Adom (MDA) honor esteemed philanthropist Lois Pope with the 2014 Humanitarian Award at its annual "Celebration of Life Gala" on Feb. 23 at The Mar-‐a-‐Lago Club in Palm Beach. The event raised $1.2 million — including a record six new ambulances and a Medicycle — for MDA emergency medical services and its new national blood center in Israel. From left, Gala chairs Abe and Dianne Bernstein, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, with his wife, Nili, and gala chairs Bob and Robin Berman, at the Palm Beach Friends of Magen David Adom’s recent “Celebration of Life” Gala. (Submitted photo / February 23, 2014) MDA provides a rapid and skilled emergency medical response, including disaster, ambulance and blood services, to Israel's eight million people. MDA is the only organization mandated by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but is not a government agency, instead relying on funding from donors around the world. The American Friends of Magen David Adom raises more than 80 percent of the charitable dollars MDA receives annually. Pope, who has previously sponsored five MDA ambulances, urged guests to follow in her footsteps. "The motto of MDA is 'saving lives in Israel.' It is also my mission, my purpose," Pope said. "It is what I care so deeply about and it is what all of you here do with your work on behalf of the nation that is our one real friend and ally in the Mideast — Israel." Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak delivered a rousing keynote speech that focused on Israel's international standing and the lifesaving impact of MDA in Israel. "As a prime minister, army general, and a civilian, I've seen with my own eyes the critical role Magen David Adom plays for the State of Israel," Barak said. "MDA has saved the lives of many of my colleagues, both on and off the battlefield, and it's fair to say that it's one of the most important institutions in Israel." Palm Beach's elite came out in droves to support MDA, including gala chairs Dianne and Abe Bernstein, and Robin and Bob Berman. Other special guests included honorary chair Ari Rifkin, Alan Dershowitz, Jacqueline Goldman, Rick and Suzi Goldsmith, Barbara Kay, Tova Leidesdorf, Terry Mendozza and Sydell Miller. Tamara Karu, AFMDA's Palm Beach County director, said: "An organization like MDA deserves the support of the highest-‐caliber leaders and philanthropists, and that's why Mrs. Pope, Mr. Barak and the entire Palm Beach community came out to Mar-‐a-‐Lago. You could see it in their eyes; people were determined to make a difference for Israelis and they knew their support of MDA was critical." Six MDA ambulances, a new gala record, were sponsored at the event. Sponsors included the Bermans (two ambulances); Bernice Friedman; Marilyn and Stanley Katz; Becky and Jimmy Mayer; and Anita and Arnold Levitan. Myrna and Mike Ginsberg sponsored a new Medicycle, MDA's emergency-‐response motorbike. ###

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