Editor's Letter

Israel Embraces Life

I

srael's emergency response teams treat Jews and Arabs
exactly alike. Consider Michael Goldstein's transfor-
mative time as a certified first responder, or trained
volunteer, for Magen David Adorn (MDA).
During his six weeks of service, the ambulances he rode
in repeatedly were summoned to Jerusalem's Arab quarter.
"We would assist people there in
the same manner as every other
patient," said Goldstein, a Michigan
State University senior whose sights
are set on medical school.
One time, Goldstein was part
of an ambulance crew directed to
transport an Arab child with a bro-
ken arm. En route to the hospital,
the crew supported the child's arm
and recorded vital signs. As they
were about to leave the hospital
after completing their assignment,
the child's father, who spoke only Arabic, put a hand on
Goldstein's shoulder and said,"Todah" — Hebrew for
"Thanks."
"To me," Goldstein recounted, "that was a very powerful
moment. I felt proud that we pushed aside the political
and cultural barriers and got the child the medical atten-
tion that he deserved."
MDA doesn't hide when asked to assist people in dan-
gerous locales. Goldstein cited the instance when the crew
he was a part of entered Hebron in the West
Bank, met up with an armored ambulance
and transported a patient to a Jerusalem
hospital.

inspired Courage
Michael, 21, is the son of Shari and Al
Goldstein of West Bloomfield. Speaking at
the Sept. 13 annual dinner of the Dr. John J.
Mames Chapter of the American Red Magen
David for Israel (ARMDI)-Michigan Region,
Michael shared MDA memories from the
summer of 2006.
MDA is Israel's national emergency, blood
and rescue service. Recent efforts have
ranged from aiding Taiwan in the wake
MSU's Michael
of flooding, to helping the injured during
Israel's Operation Cast Lead, to being on alert for mass casu-
alty attacks, to extending care at the scenes of suicide bomb-
ings."I give tremendous credit to the brave men and women
who have seen these horrors and continue to work for this
organization," Goldstein said.
The 42nd annual dinner honored a prominent local fam-
ily, the Goodmans: Mary, Teri and Mark, Enid and Gary. This
tribute to MDA's remarkable work drew 325 supporters.
The chapter has raised $22 million for MDA for such
basics as bulletproof vests, paramedic scholarships and
defribrillators. It has donated 230 ambulances; Natalie and
Manny Charach of West Bloomfield have gifted an ambu-
lance a year since 1976. A basic life support ambulance
today costs $100,000. The chapter also funded the Lillian
L. and Allan L. Waller First Aid Station and the Natalie and
Manny Emergency Medical Center, both in Ashdod.

Profound Times
Goldstein is a graduate of Hillel Day School of Metropolitan
Detroit in Farmington Hills and Frankel Jewish Academy in
West Bloomfield. He and three former classmates at Hillel
— Sander Rubin, David Sallen and Adam Horwitz — arrived
for duty at MDNs Bloomberg Station in Jerusalem with
resolve to help repair the Jewish ancestral homeland amid the
Palestinian reign of terror launched in September 2000.
Much of what the boys did was typical for first respond-
ers, including the use of first aid, CPR and backboards. They
worked with people who had come from around the world
to help protect Israelis.
"Each day," Goldstein said, "I would be assigned to a new
ambulance team. We would treat and transport patients to
four main hospitals spread throughout Jerusalem."
The diversity of the work humbled him.
One day, the crew Goldstein was with responded to an
urgent call from a woman about to have a baby. There was
insufficient time to take her to a hospital so Goldstein's
mentor delivered a baby girl on the spot as the husband
paced the hallway. The patient and her mother were
Americans so Goldstein bridged the communication gap,
translating his Hebrew-speaking partner's directions to
them. "Witnessing a new life enter the world is one of the
greatest feelings imaginable:' he said.
In contrast, Goldstein also witnessed death. An elderly
woman had died before his crew arrived. "After seeing that
patient die he said, "I laid awake that night thinking about
the enormity of the responsibilities and
consequences that are intertwined with
the medical profession?'
Such real-life experiences only hard-
ened his intent to become a physician.

The Power of Mames
As I listened to Michael Goldstein praise
Magen David Adorn, I glanced over to Eva
Mames, president of ARMDI's Southfield-
based Michigan chapter. She and her late
husband, John, provided the bedrock for
the chapter; she remains the chapter's
human energy cell. John was a devoted
Zionist who founded the chapter in the
wake of the Six-Day War in 1967. He died
Goldstein
in 1989, but his spirit and strength still
echo. Eva, whose family was incinerated at Auschwitz, has a
heart of gold and Miriam-like magnetism. Having her in our
midst is a precious gift.
Magen David Adorn reminds us that as Palestinian adults
and kids embrace death as jihad fighters and shields to
please Allah, Jews cherish life above all else. MDA further
reminds us of the heroism, nobility and resilience of Israel,
the world's most-hated nation because of its capacity to sur-
vive and thrive in the cause of Zionism.
When Michael Goldstein testifies to the ability of MDA
paramedics and volunteers to serve all Israeli citizens and
tourists, believe him. MDA is everywhere, every day, serving
everyone — regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

4%--"

SOMERSET SOUTH & JARC
40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
AT SOMERSET COLLECTION
8 - 11 PM * Dress for the 60s!
Martinis * Food • Dancing
Shopping to Benefit JARC Oct. 15-17

TICKETS $58

t uesday

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29TH ANNUAL FALL FUNDRAISER
FISHER THEATRE
7:30 PM

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American Friends of Magen David Adorn is the U.S. fundraising arm

of MDA. To donate, call Eva Mames locally: (248) 353-0434.

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With Ticket to Performance

September 24 s 2009 5

