Beth Tfiloh & Magen David Adom: A Partnership for Life

One Blood Donation. Up to Four Mitzvot! On Tuesday, October 20, Beth Tfiloh is joining forces with American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) for a special blood drive with an extraordinary connection to Israel. Your blood donation can save up to three lives here at home. But there’s a fourth mitzvah you may not know about! Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster relief, and blood services organization, has an important agreement with Blood Centers of America (BCA), the largest blood supply network in the United States. If war, natural disaster, or another emergency leaves Israel unable to collect enough blood, BCA has committed to sending blood from the United States to help meet Israel’s needs. That means giving blood locally also helps strengthen an emergency lifeline for our extended family in Israel! Add a Fifth Mitzvah: Give Tzedakah! Here’s something that surprises many people: While MDA is often called the backbone of Israel’s resilience, it depends on charitable support to fund the vehicles, equipment, training, and facilities that make its lifesaving mission possible. In the United States, emergency medical services, blood services, disaster relief, and human milk programs are spread across many different organizations: In Israel, MDA does it all. And every person who needs help matters, regardless of religion, race, gender, or political views. Here’s a glimpse of the lifesaving work your tzedakah helps make possible: An Emergency Response Every 22.8 Seconds In 2025 alone, MDA dispatched emergency response teams 1,383,026 times — more than 3,700 times a day! Our ambulances, medicycles, helicopters, and marine ambulances respond to emergencies across Israel, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 39,000 Lifesavers. One Shared Mission. MDA’s workforce is approximately 90% volunteers, bringing together Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze to save lives. MDA also plays a central role in training Israel’s EMTs and paramedics, including those serving in the IDF and National Service. 211 EMS Stations Across Israel MDA builds, equips, and maintains a nationwide network of emergency medical stations. Its advanced dispatch system even allows callers to stream live video, giving response teams critical information before they arrive. The Lifeblood of Israel MDA’s Marcus National Blood Services Center collects, tests, processes, and distributes blood for Israel’s hospitals and the IDF. With three protected underground floors, this remarkable facility is designed to keep Israel’s blood supply operating even during war and other national emergencies. A Lifeline for Israel’s Most Vulnerable Babies MDA’s Sussman Family National Milk Bank provides lifesaving donor breast milk to premature and medically fragile infants. Following October 7th, the Milk Bank helped feed babies whose mothers had been killed or abducted, while also supporting families of mothers called up for military service. From the first ambulance to arrive at an emergency to the blood that saves a wounded patient’s life and the milk that nourishes a fragile newborn, MDA is there for our extended family in Israel. Be Part of the Lifesaving! Whether you give $18, $180, $1,800, or any amount meaningful to you, your tax-deductible gift helps put lifesaving resources into the hands of the people who need them. Together, Beth Tfiloh and Magen David Adom are turning compassion into action, saving lives here at home while standing shoulder to shoulder with our extended family in Israel. Give blood. Give tzedakah. Give Life. Prefer to Give by Check? Please make your check payable to American Friends of Magen David Adom and mail it to: American Friends of Magen David Adom Attn: Ira Gewanter (Beth Tfiloh Blood Drive Fund) 20 W. 36th Street, Suite 1100 New York, NY 10018 Questions? Let’s Connect! Ira Gewanter Mid-Atlantic Director, American Friends of Magen David Adom igewanter@afmda.org 410-868-0451