Magen David Adom

Some babies are happy to wait until their parents are ready. Others have plans of their own! When a 25-year-old mother in northern Israel went into labor, she and her husband called MDA, hoping to reach the hospital in time. But their little girl had other ideas! Moments later, a healthy baby girl took her very first breath right inside an MDA ambulance. For MDA senior EMT Hussani Dalasha (35), a father of two and volunteer of 12 years, the moment was especially meaningful. “As a father myself, this moment touched me especially deeply,” he shared. MDA volunteer lead paramedic Shay Ashkenazi (22) felt the same joy: “It was an incredible experience. An extraordinary sense of purpose that reminded me why I chose to do this work.” Hussani and Shay, we are so proud of you! Thank you for reminding us that saving lives sometimes means welcoming new ones into the world. 🚑💛 Welcome to the world, little one! 💕

We’re excited to introduce you to the remarkable volunteers who make up Magen David Adom! This week, meet Lia Asherov (16), a second-year Youth Volunteer at the Netanya Station in the Sharon Region. For Lia, volunteering is in her blood. Growing up in a family where giving back was a way of life, she felt a passion to serve her community from a young age. So when it came time to choose her high school community service project, joining MDA was an absolute no-brainer. Since then, MDA has become an indispensable part of her daily life. Lia spends every free moment taking shifts on ambulances, finding deep fulfillment in being there for people when they need help the most. Beyond emergency response, Lia loves mentoring new youth volunteers, guiding them, passing along her hands-on experience, and building lifelong friendships that feel just like family. Lia, we are so proud of you and the incredible next generation who show us every day what true devotion and kindness look like! 💛 Wishing everyone a peaceful week! MDA teams and youth volunteers across Israel continue to stand ready 24/7 to save lives. 🇮🇱💙

On the morning of October 7, senior MDA EMT Tzvi Rieder rushed into the line of fire to save lives, treating and evacuating dozens of wounded victims under heavy barrage. Later that devastating day, he received the heartbreaking news: his son, Dor, and Dor’s partner, Techelet Fishbein, had been murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri. To honor Dor’s legacy of selfless service, two new ambulances, one of them bulletproof, were recently dedicated in Kibbutz Sa’ad. At the dedication ceremony, Tzvi shared a quiet prayer: "We pray these ambulances will mostly be used for happy, excited mothers on their way to deliver new life." Moments later, that prayer was answered. On its very first emergency call, Tzvi was dispatched in the new ambulance to a woman in labor near Kibbutz Be’eri. Joined by his neighbor Hila Barbicz, a professional midwife, Tzvi quickly realized there was no time to reach the hospital. Together, they safely delivered a healthy baby boy right inside the ambulance. Eight days later, on the eve of Simchat Torah, Tzvi attended the baby’s Brit Milah (circumcision ceremony), where the newborn was named Mevaser Tov, which in Hebrew means "Herald of Good News." "Our baby brought good news to Tzvika, good news to a road that saw so much bloodshed on October 7, and good news to our family," shared Pnina, the baby’s mother. Reflecting on the profound moment, Tzvi shared: "The ambulance dedicated in memory of my son, Dor, helped bring new life into the world, on its very first call." At Magen David Adom, we remain committed to saving lives anywhere, anytime, honoring our fallen by carrying forward the ultimate mission of life.

We’re excited to introduce you to the incredible men and women who make up Magen David Adom! This week, meet Olga (65), an Emergency Medical Technician who has been volunteering at the Eilat MDA Station for the past two years. In her daily life, Olga works at a clothing store. Driven by a deep, heartfelt desire to lend a helping hand during life’s most critical moments, she chose to dedicate her free time to saving lives. “One of the things I love most about MDA is the constant opportunity to learn, grow, and stay sharp,” Olga shares. “On every single shift, you learn something new and respond to situations you’ve never seen before.” “For me, MDA is so much more than a place to volunteer, it’s a family. It’s a community of deeply principled people who give their absolute all, providing purpose and meaning to my life every day.” Olga, you are an immense inspiration to us all, and we are so proud to have you as part of our MDA family! 💛🇮🇱 Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbat and good news ahead! MDA teams across Israel continue to stand ready 24/7, in routine and in emergency, to save lives.

As part of Generation 2 Generation’s Bearing Witness Collective, Christian leaders from around the world visited Magen David Adom’s headquarters at the Marcus National Blood Services Center to witness firsthand the lifesaving work behind Israel’s national emergency medical services. During their visit, the delegation explored MDA’s advanced lifesaving technologies, National Emergency Dispatch Center, Human Milk Bank, and Paramedic School, gaining a deeper understanding of the people, innovation, and dedication that make MDA’s mission possible. In the shadow of October 7 and the challenges that followed, the visit served as a meaningful reminder of the power of solidarity, compassion, and our shared commitment to protecting and preserving human life. Thank you to Generation 2 Generation and the Bearing Witness Collective for standing with MDA and bearing witness to the extraordinary people who work every day to save lives. 💛

During one unforgettable night shift at MDA’s 101 National Emergency Dispatch Center, EMT Dispatcher Rinat Ben David helped guide three separate families through phone-assisted deliveries, safely bringing three new babies into the world. Just one hour into her shift, the first call came in from Avraham Roth, a fellow MDA EMT, reporting that his wife, Noa, was going into labor in their car on the way to the hospital. Rinat calmly guided Avraham step-by-step through delivering his own baby girl right in the vehicle. An hour and a half later, a second urgent call came in from the husband of 27-year-old Bayan in southern Israel. With Rinat’s steady, patient guidance over the line, the father delivered a healthy baby girl at home. Before the shift was even halfway over, a third call came in from Beit Shemesh: a 32-year-old mother was in rapid labor. The baby arrived within minutes of dialing 101, and Rinat stayed on the line with the father, talking him through post-delivery care until field EMTs arrived on the scene to safely transport mother and baby to the hospital. “I had the incredible privilege of helping bring three pure, beautiful souls into the world,” Rinat shared. “Our nation has faced so much hardship, but we will never stop bringing light, hope, and joy into the world.” Rinat, we are so proud of you! Thank you for your dedication, empathy, and unflappable calm, guiding families through life’s most precious moments, even from miles away.

We’re excited to introduce you to the incredible men and women who make up Magen David Adom! This week, meet Itzik Ohana (51), a Senior EMT, Team Leader, and Mobile Intensive Care Unit driver who has been volunteering at the Krayot MDA station for over 7 years. He’s also part of our specialized Sea-bulance team on the Sea of Galilee! When he’s not saving lives, Itzik runs his own motorcycle repair shop. But in the Ohana household, saving lives is truly a family affair: his twin children, Shi-Li and Lee-Or, are both MDA volunteers, and his wife, Meital, works at MDA Blood Services! “Being able to save lives and help people in their darkest moments is a true privilege and a deeply meaningful mission.” One moment that stands out to Itzik happened during a recent call for an unconscious patient. “The moment we arrived, we immediately started CPR. We administered two shocks with the defibrillator, and after the second shock, her pulse came back. We saved her life. It’s a moment I will never forget, and it reminds me every single day why our work at MDA matters so much.” Itzik, we are so proud of you! Thank you for your dedication, your generosity, and your commitment to always being there for those who need it most. ❤️ Wishing everyone a peaceful week ahead! MDA teams across Israel continue to stand ready 24/7, in routine and in emergency, to save lives. 🇮🇱💙

On the morning of Simchat Torah, October 7th, Oshrit Haddad, a paramedic at the Netivot emergency station, decided to head in to help treat the wounded. She deployed with her team in a Mobile Intensive Care Unit, driving down the road toward Kibbutz Be’eri and treating victims along the way. They then set up a triage and treatment station. Throughout it all, they worked inside an active combat zone surrounded by close-range gunfire and explosions, but nothing stopped them,until they got a call from dispatch. Discover the stories of brave MDA first responders who were there on October 7. Link in our Stories.

On October 7, MDA deployed three helicopters to treat and evacuate the wounded. Israel Police officers Superintendent Yoni Daskalo and Superintendent Or Yosef were seriously wounded in the battle at Kibbutz Re’im. MDA paramedic Shapir Botner treated them and evacuated them by helicopter under relentless rocket fire. Watch their moving reunion: