YIR: Families Raise Funds Overnight for Ambulances

The parking lot of Congregation Beth Tefillah in Sandy Springs looked much different on Tuesday night, Sept. 10. That’s because nine generous families donated two ambulances at a cost of $115,000 each to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services system.

This happened as a response to the Oct. 7 attacks and the feeling of doing something positive to help Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces overseas; and thanks to the fundraising effort of donor Judah Holland, who hopped on the phone – and in 18 hours had the whole project sewn up.

Holland said, “It’s all about the preservation of life. If you save one life, you save the world. Ambulances save a lot of lives.” His wife, Hillary, added “Am Yisroel Chai.”

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Noting that the donor families’ names were painted on the doors, the entire ambulance bodies will be repainted and equipped with Israeli reflective paint and state-of-the-art technology inside. Jessica Nessim, vice president of American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), explained, “These are life support ambulances, and in other instances, we have bulletproof ambulances that cost $350,000. All have very detailed specifications laid out by the Ministries of Defense and Transportation … most importantly, while Hamas spreads darkness and tries to bring us down, we are about light and love.”

Nessim led the group in a red ribbon cutting, prayer for the State of Israel, and Shehehyanu blessing. Meanwhile, the spirited children of donors regaled in operating the lights and sirens on the parked vehicles.

Donors were: Mendel Chazanow and family, Fredric Garvett and family, Hillary and Judah Holland and family. Deborah and Julian Isakow and family; Erica and Randall Katz and family; Carol and lan Ratner and family; Bryant Riley and family, the Robinson and Ellerine families; and Drs. Mimi Zieman and Jeffrey Allen.