MDA: On the frontline

MORE than 360 guests packed the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay last weekend to show their support and help raise funds for Magen David Adom (MDA).

The Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, MDA is staffed by 13,000 volunteers contributing more than one million hours every year, and it relies on donations and sponsorship to keep functioning.

The highlights of the evening were three inspirational speeches by special guests Aharon Adler, Megan Bernitz and Noa Tishby, all of which moved the audience to standing ovations and tears.

Adler, an MDA first responder and the recipient of a medicycle donated by Moriah College and members of the NSW Jewish community, spoke of the moral fibre and determination it takes to save lives.

“Every morning, before I leave the house, I pause when I kiss my wife and daughters,” he said. “Because I know I may be called to save someone else’s wife or daughter, and I need that strength to keep going.

“This is our share of the battle against terror. We all stand, ready to save lives. I cannot count the number of terror attacks I’ve had to respond to in the last year.”

Bernitz, an Australian MDA volunteer who has lived in Israel for 14 months, was caught up in the Sarona Market terror attack in Tel Aviv on June 8.

She was sitting just metres from the terrorist inside a Max Brenner store, when she saw a gun and heard shots fired.

Bernitz initially fled the scene but returned soon after.“I felt like I was running for the very last time,” she recalled. “But then I put on my MDA uniform, and after that, I was not a victim. I was an MDA first -responder.”

Returning to the Sarona Market, she broke through the police tape to reach the victims, and administered life-saving treatment to Assaf Bar.

Bar, who had been shot twice in the head, survived, and was released from hospital two weeks later.

“A lot of miracles happened that day,” Bernitz said.

“Sharing my story was terrifying … not knowing how people would react. But people connected with my story. I’m now a more confident person. I take every opportunity that is handed to me,” she said.

Hollywood producer, actress, singer, model, passionate Zionist, and “eternal optimist” Noa Tishby urged Australia to stand with Israel.

“Being the chosen people is not a gift,” Tishby said.

“It’s a burden. Despite unfathomable bias, Israel has contributed so much to the world, and we will continue to do so, no matter what.

“Israel is on the frontline of a worldwide war. And MDA is the frontline of that frontline. Israel has to be strong. Because if Israel is not there … I don’t even want to think about what that would mean.”

For more information or to donate, go to www.magendavidadom.org.au.

YAEL BRENDER

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