By Jacob Kamaras
LA JOLLA, California — On May 17, San Diegans had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand their tangible impact on saving lives in Israel.
Mike Aron, Karen Aron, and fellow members of the local Jewish community gathered at Congregation Adat Yeshurun in La Jolla for the dedication of an ambulance that they donated to Magen David Adom (MDA) — Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood bank service — in honor of Mike’s late father, Yitzchak Ben Zuzman-HaKohein.
The ambulance will be stationed in the Kiryat Arba region, on the outskirts of Hebron, an area that is “unfortunately marred by acts of terrorism but lacking in medical and ambulance services,” Mike Aron said.
“Under the expertise of the dedicated professionals at Magen David Adom, this ambulance will serve as a symbol of optimism and a testament to the unyielding bond between our families, communities, and the nation of Israel,” he said. “We are honored to collaborate with Magen David Adom in their mission to provide lifesaving services to those in need, and we are confident that this ambulance will make a tangible difference in countless lives.”
He added, “Let this ambulance stand as a perpetual tribute to my parents, and as evidence of the profound impact their lives continue to wield on the world. Let it symbolize hope and healing for the people of Israel, and as a reminder of the good that can come from the dedication, love, and compassion of individuals working together for a brighter future.”
Aron recognized Elana Michael, Director of Major Gifts for the Southwest Region of American Friends of Magen David Adom, for her “unyielding efforts and commitment” toward “making this event a reality.”
Felix Lotan, head of the Emergency Preparedness Department Operations Division for MDA, told the donors in attendance that the emergency medical service’s staff members are “not the muscles and not the heart” of the organization’s lifesaving work. Rather, “the muscles are our 30,000 volunteers, and the heart is you,” he said.
Both Mike Aron and Congregation Adat Yeshurun’s leader, Rabbi Daniel Reich, conveyed how the event resonated with the Talmudic lesson that “whoever saves one life, it is as if they have saved the entire world” (Sanhedrin 37a).
“The world is dependent on there being this living relationship between the Jewish people and the land of Israel,” Rabbi Reich said.
Aron also noted the verse “do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16).
“This underscores the Jewish value of each individual life and by extension, the importance of healing the sick,” he said. “In their honor and memory, my family and I have chosen to donate this ambulance to Magen David Adom, an organization that resonates with the same values my parents championed. By gifting this ambulance, we strive to extend their legacy of courage, resilience, love, and compassion. As this ambulance navigates through the streets of Israel, it will transport not only the essential medical equipment and extraordinary medical personnel required to preserve life, but also the spirit of my parents, who vouched for the transformative power of empathy, compassion, and human connection.”
For more information about MDA, contact Elana Michael, Director of Major Gifts, Southwest Region, at 619-489-0329 or emichael@afmda.org.
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Jacob Kamaras is editor and publisher of San Diego Jewish World.