Jewish
edu
for college students by college students
August 21, 2014 / 25 Av 5774
VOLUME 5, NO. 3
Students Experience War
Ambulance Aid
Feeling Pride
U-M student spends his summer saving lives
Amid the rockets, this student took
during war in Israel.
his cues from the Israelis.
Teddy Sallen }
Nate Strauss }
S
jewish©edu writer
ix months ago, I was accepted into
Magen David Adom's (MDA) Overseas
Volunteer program. MDA is Israel's
national emergency medical and ambulance
service and, as a proud Jew, I was thrilled to
have the opportunity to serve the people of
Israel in this unique way.
As my summer journey to Israel
approached, so began the military opera-
tion in the Gaza Strip. My expectations
for the program were high, along with my
nerves. I was faced with the reality that I
would be volunteering for MDA during the
tense period of Operation Protective Edge.
Although even more nervous, I was deter-
Teddy Sallen on the job at an MDA
station in Israel
mined and excited to make a significant
impact in Israel.
I felt ecstatic upon landing at Ben-
impact of my service. It has been beyond reward-
Gurion airport in the middle of July. Finally, I had
ing to see the smiles of many patients who had
returned home, to a country I love as much as
just been in sheer panic.
the U.S. In an attempt to relax during my first day
Although in the midst of the war, Israel
under the Tel Aviv sun, I joined a friend to go for
remains strong, spirited and undeterred from
a swim in the neighborhood pool. I had barely
addressing medical emergencies that arise.
taken off my sandals and stepped into the water
We, at MDA, join in with this spirit. While
when I heard my first siren.
we have taken extra security measures to remain
Confused and in shock, I turned to a local
safe, patients must still be treated — and we give
Israeli child for help. The little boy, maybe 5 or 6,
them the attention and care that they require.
calmly led me to the nearest shelter. We spent 10
Before traveling to Israel this summer, I could
minutes inside, during which we heard several
not fathom what I would be destined to see
booms from the Iron Dome interception system.
and experience. Though, at first, I fell victim to
I had been in Israel for less than five hours, and
the panic of a neighboring rocket attack, I have
already experienced one of the most defining
grown and learned to provide safety and treat-
moments of my trip.
ment to those in need. In a similar sense, this
I found it amazing how over the next few
summer taught me to be the calm little boy who
weeks the rocket attacks and accompanying siren
helped a stranger in need. @
alerts became daily routine. I will always remem-
ber the spirit of my fellow Jews, especially the
Teddy Sallen of Birmingham is a sophomore
little boy who looked out for me during the threat
biomedical engineering major at the University
of rocket attack. At this point, more than ever, I
of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Sallen and seven
felt a need to give back to the land of Israel.
other Greater Detroit-area MDA overseas
I am beyond fortunate to have finished many
volunteers will be honored at the American
shifts onboard the MDA ambulances. During each
Friends of Magen David Adom Celebration of
shift I learned something new. Whether I rushed
Life Gala on Sept. 11 at Temple Beth Ahm in
to the scene of a cardiac arrest, helped a child
West Bloomfield. For more on AFMDA's work in
who was choking or just accompanied an elderly
support of MDA, call (877) 405-3913 or email
person en route to a hospital, I have felt the
central@afmda.org.
jewish@edu writer
hen I landed at Ben Gurion
Airport in Tel Aviv, I had
two thoughts in my mind.
The first was a proud realization that I
had made it through an 11-hour flight
with a 4-year-old kicking the back of my
chair for the majority of the time. The
second was that, finally, I was home.
For me, Israel has always been a topic
of interest. It's what I immediately look
for on news websites; it's one of my
favorite conversation pieces; and it's the
only other flag (besides my Michigan
State flag) that I hang on the walls of
my room.
I've considered Israel to be a home-
away-from-home since I first started
learning about it at Sunday school.
Israel was the only place in the world
that I could see myself traveling to on a
study-abroad program and, this summer,
I took the opportunity and headed to the
Middle East.
However, when I landed in Tel Aviv, I
had no idea what would happen in the
coming weeks.
Following conflict between Israel and
the Hamas terrorist organization, rocket
attacks from both sides started to occur.
At first, there were only a few attacks,
W
but rocket fire picked up rapidly. Being
in the country and watching the people
fight back and forth, with hundreds
of rockets flying through the sky was
surreal. Though many would think this
situation would be frightening, I felt the
opposite. I always felt safe.
Learning about the Iron Dome missile
defense system and looking for non-
biased reporting in the news helped me
to stay educated and up to date on the
issue. Believe it or not, I often found
that my parents in Michigan knew more
about what had happened in a day in
Israel than I did. I also didn't feel scared
because I felt prepared. If a siren went
off, I was confident in myself to know
where to go and how to protect myself.
All in all, my experience can be
summed up in one word: pride.
The Israeli people, both Jews and
Arabs, men and women, maintained a
relatively typical life throughout all of
the fighting. While it was scary for them,
they put feelings aside and continued
with their weekly business. Seeing these
people act so calmly also helped me to
remain composed. I was proud to stand
with the Israelis during this time of need.
Experiencing this conflict made me
even more passionate to be
studying International Affairs
and made me even more con-
nected with the land of Israel.
I can safely say that there is
no other way I would have
rather spent my summer. @
Nate Strauss of Farmington
Hills is a junior at Michigan
State University in East
Lansing.
Nate Strauss at the Western Wall in
Jerusalem
iN
For a related story about a
young Detroiter in Israel,
see page 50.
August 21 • 2014
43