Since the horrors of October 7, Dani Shverglas and Ophir Peled knew they had to do something. They both joined a Magen David Adom first aid course, and after three months of theory, they are ready to put their knowledge into practice in the field as new MDA volunteers.
Since MDA paramedic Amit Man was brutally murdered while working in the Kibbutz Be’eri clinic on October 7, several young Israelis have rushed to volunteer with MDA in her footsteps. Israel’s News channel 13 profiled some of MDA’s new volunteers who decided that they want to learn to save lives since the tragedy of October 7.
“The events of October 7 motivated me to do this,” says Shverglas in the interview, about joining a MDA first aid course. “Knowledge is power, it can save lives.”
“Whoever has the tools and capacity to provide first aid can save lives,” notes Peled.
Eliaz Mor, director of training for MDA, reports that MDA has seen a 40 percent increase in participation in courses all over Israel compared to last year as part of a new initiative called the Magen Project.
“I wanted to volunteer and take the course and be somewhat like Amit Man,” says Ori Tzolman who completed MDA’s first aid course. “I couldn’t remain indifferent to [her] heroism, and I asked myself, ‘how can I do more?’”
A touching part of the segment is an interview with Man’s sister Lior. “Nothing characterized Amit more than her dedication, her love for MDA, and saving lives,” remarks Lior Man. “Whoever is inspired to follow in her footsteps is another way to commemorate her and keep her here with us.”
