Salute to Magen David Adom
At a special concert event, 4 months after the despicable terror attack: MDA EMT certificate presented to parents of Yagel Yaakov Yaniv, who was murdered just days before his course ended
On Sunday 11.6.23, a special Salute to Magen David Adom event took place in Heichal Hatarbut in Tel Aviv, that included a moving concert conducted by maestro Yonatan Razel, with performers including Haim Israel, Yitzchak Meir Helfgot and Shulem Lemer. The evening was hosted by Ofer Hadad.
Those present included State Comptroller Prof. Daniel Hershkovitz, Minister for the Negev and Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf, MK Yoni Mashriki, MK Moshe Abutbul, General (Res.) Eliezer Shkedi, CEO of the Labor Office Israel Ozen, MDA Director General Eli Bin, Chair of the MDA Executive Rabbi Avraham Manela, Chair of the Israeli Friends of MDA Gil Weiser, Chair of the Israeli Friends of MDA Orly Ariel, President of Swiss Friends of MDA Mr. Ronald Zussman and his wife Bat-Sheva, Mr. Yossi Dahan, heads of Yeshivas, heads of pre-army colleges, business people and senior economic figures.
During the evening, a total of 14 ambulances were donated, that will serve MDA teams in saving lives across Israel. At the end of the evening one of the donated ambulances was dedicated to the memory of Lucy, Maya and Rina Dee Z"L who were murdered in a despicable terror attack in the Jordan Valley in April. The new ambulance will be in service in the Efrat Regional Municipality.
A further ambulance was dedicated to the memory of Hallel Menachem and Yagel Yaakov Yaniv Z"L, who were murdered in a terror attack in Hawara in February. Yagel Yaakov was due to complete his EMT course in the Magen David Adom Station in Hadera, but didn't live to receive his EMT certificate. MDA Director General presented the certificate to their parents – Shalom and Esther Yaniv. The new ambulance will be in service in the Shomron Regional Municipality.
The moving event was produced by the Israeli Friends of Magen David Adom society, led by CEO Orly Ariel, and was dedicated to thanking the organization's staff, who act around the clock to save lives and provide humanitarian aid.
Esther and Shalom Yaniv: "Yagel unfortunately didn't merit to become a fully-fledged EMT. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. 13 days before the murder, Hallel sent a message: 'I stung MDA, I gave blood twice in two months, instead of once every three months as is allowed.' He was asked how he did it, why he did it? 'There's a blood donation, so why not?' It's very significant for us to be here this evening, each time I open Yagel's phone I see the MDA app, and he went out on calls even during the course. Both Hallel and Yagel had a rich world of values, they'd always help, it matched with their scale of values."
Israeli Friends of MDA CEO Orly Ariel: "The event, which has become a tradition in the religious sector, was wrapped in a huge hug from the public and our donors. Magen David Adom is the only melting pot in the State of Israel that gives space to all sectors including secular, ultra-Orthodox, religious, Jews, Druze Christian Arabs and more. A big thank you to the donors who participated in the event, led us to success and enabled us with their donation to purchase 14 ambulances to strengthen and empower Magen David Adom."
MDA Director General Eli Bin: This evening I received a note written by Yagel Yaakov a year before his murder: 'Where do I see myself a year from now: more organized, to open a small garage in the West Hill. Finish a tractate, go back to the enlist, respect the family more and finish an EMT course - volunteer more. A good year.' The ambulances that were donated this evening will breathe hope into many hearts and bring respite to many homes in Israel. I thank you, the many supporters of Magen David Adom and the teams of Magen David Adom. MDA is a world-class leading innovative organization in the fields of emergency medicine, blood services and breakthrough technologies. The work of the National Rescue Organization does not stop for a moment, we upgraded the Air Ambulance system, we worked together with the Home Front Command during the earthquake in Turkey and maintained the resilience of the Home Front in Operation Shield and Arrow. In the face of national and international challenges, we have ensured that wherever a person needs help, Magen David Adom will be there prepared and ready. The dedication of the staff and volunteers knows no bounds and they are always there first in saving lives, ready to risk themselves for the life of another."
