History
1915 - The Jewish physician, Dr. Erlanger, first conceived the concept of "Magen David Adom" in Lucerne, Switzerland and established an association to help the wounded and Jewish prisoners during World War I.
1916 - Following the strong desire of The Jewish Legion during World War I to provide medical help, Dr. Erlanger's plan is promoted and the first Jewish rescue organization began to take shape.
1918 - Establishment of Magen David Adom USA:
The organization dealt with medical work in Eretz Israel and tried to establish a local organization to rival the Red Cross, but the attempt to expand its operations to Israel failed.
1918 - The organization thrived in North America and had 70 branches and 25,000 members. Other branches were established in Canada, England and a small branch in Tel Aviv.
1922- The disintegration of Magen David Adom:
With the First World War ending, The Jewish Legion was dismantled and Magen David Adom also broken down.
1930 - The 1st first aid course in Israel:
The 1929 riot events raised the need for emergency medicine in Israel and in April, the 1st first aid course was opened with Dr. Meshulam Levontin as its instructor.
1930 - Founding of the "Society for fast help during a disaster":
On June 7, MDA as an organization which was called in its early days - "Society for fast help during a disaster," was founded in Tel Aviv, for the second time.
1930 - First Aid course graduation:
In September 1930, 73 paramedics completed the first aid course in Israel.
1931 - January 1931, the first Magen David Adom ambulance in Israel left the apartment of Dr. Levontin in the direction of the Mayor of Tel Aviv's home.
1933 - Founding of MDA Haifa branch.
1934 - Founding MDA Jerusalem branch.
1936 - In January 1936, the new home of MDA in Tel Aviv was inaugurated, the first meeting of MDA associations from across the country was held there.
1940 - September 1940, the Italian air force bombed Tel Aviv. MDA recruited 50 doctors and about 400 nurses and volunteers were trained to treat the population. 932 civilians were provided swift first aid by MDA.
1946 - Magen David Adom activities concentrated on the civilian population and a distinction was made between the military and MDA.
1946 - MDA began to run the first blood bank in central Israel.
1946 - With the end of World War II and the liberation of Europe from the Nazi occupation, MDA support units were sent to various European countries to relieve and treat the surviving Jews in these countries.
1950 -The "Magen David Adom" law was enacted and the Magen David Adom rescue organization was legally recognized as the Israel's primary emergency and rescue organization, in order for it to be able to join the Red Cross organization. In practice, this was accomplished only in 2006 due to disagreements about the organization's symbol.
1970 - The MDA headquarters building was inaugurated in Israel on Yigal Alon Street in Tel Aviv, near the sports hall. It is also the national command and control center of the organization.
1987 - The MDA Central Blood Bank was inaugurated at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, after moving from its temporary location at Shivtei Israel Street.
2009 - The national organization's command and control center was inaugurated at the MDA offices on Yigal Alon Street in Tel Aviv.
Last update: 25/07/2024
