AUGUST 22 • 2024 | 27
J
N

O

n July 29, before the opening 
ceremony of the 2024 Detroit 
Maccabi Games at Little 
Caesars Arena, a dedication ceremony 
took place for a Magen David Adom 
(MDA) Mobile Intensive Care Unit 
(MICU), sponsored by Marshall and 
Rhoda Tobin. Rabbi Aaron Starr 
of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in 
Southfield offered a blessing for the 
vehicle. 
This was one of two MICUs made 
possible by the Tobins, who were 
the presenting sponsors of this year’s 
Maccabi Games.
The Tobins have long supported 
Jewish causes. Marshall Tobin recalls 
learning about tzedakah from his 
mother who always contributed to the 
Jewish National Fund “pushka” charity 
containers. 
Noting that many of their good 
friends from Michigan had donated 
ambulances to save lives in Israel, the 
family decided last summer it was 
time for them to donate an MICU, an 
act they describe as “a privilege.
” 
That was before Oct. 7, when 
everything changed. 
Now, with the growing needs 
on the ground in the wake of 
increased attacks at Israel’s northern 

and southern borders, the Tobins 
sponsored a second MICU, which 
was dedicated before being shipped to 
Israel to help treat all those who need 
medical assistance. 
As Israel’s emergency services 
system, MDA treats and transports 
nearly 1 million people to hospitals 
every year; collects, safety tests 
and distributes nearly all the blood 
to Israel’s hospitals; and, through 
its affiliation with the Red Cross 
movement, responds to disasters 

around the world.
The first donated MICU already 
had great meaning for the Tobins, but 
the second one, post-Oct. 7, means 
that much more. 
“We want to help our fellow Jews,
” 
Marshall states. “The Bible says if you 
can save one person, you save the 
world. We want to be people who can 
save one person and, with the two 
ambulances, we’ll save more than one.
” 
Rhoda adds, “
After Oct. 7, we 
decided they needed another one. I’m 

happy we can afford to do this; I feel 
they need it. And we can do it, so we’re 
doing it.
”
Seeing how many Jewish 
communities across the United States 
have donated these ambulances 
since that fateful October day, 
including many from the Detroit 
Jewish community, is reflective of the 
generosity of the Jewish people. 
“The Detroit Jewish community 
has always been there for everything,
” 
Rhoda says. “We’re very lucky to be in 
this community.
”
A friend of the Tobins who donated 
an ambulance receives letters about 
what it’s being used for, such as if the 
ambulance helped deliver a baby. 
“We’re hoping our ambulances will 
be delivering more babies than having 
to pick up people who are injured,
” 
Rhoda says. “Everybody who can do 
something, whatever they can do, 
should do it. Israel needs our help.
”
Marshall adds, “
And we need Israel. 
Antisemitism would be even more 
rampant if we didn’t have Israel. We’re 
very fortunate we can do this, and 
other people who can afford it should 
do it. And I hope they will.
” 
Visit afmda.org to learn more about 
ways to help. 

The Tobins, presenting sponsors of the 2024 Maccabi Games, dedicate 
their second MICU ambulance in a year to Magen David Adom. 
A Mobile Intensive Care Unit for Israel

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

Marshall and Rhoda 
Tobin with the MICU 
they donated post 
Oct. 7.

JUSTIN D. CASAGRANDE

Immigration Attorney & Partner

For all your business and

family immigration needs

A Martindale-Hubbell 

AV- Rated Law Firm

(248) 406-4100

Visit us at www.antone.com 

or email us at law@antone.com

31555 West 14 Mile Road, Suite 100 Farmington Hills, MI

48334

JUSTIN D. CASAGRANDE

Immigration Attorney & Partner

N. Peter Antone

Immigration Attorney & Partner
SCAN THE 
QR CODE

HAVE AN 
HAVE AN 

EVENT?
EVENT?

POST IT FOR FREE ON 
POST IT FOR FREE ON 

thejewishnews.com
thejewishnews.com