News

Addicted to Compassion podcast interviews Raphael Herbst.

Manya Marcus spoke with Raphael Herbst, a senior paramedic with Magen David Adom (MDA) and head of its Emotional Resilience Program, at the offices of American Friends of Magen David Adom in New York City. Raphael discusses MDA’s vital role in Israeli society—from delivering world-class… Read more

When Nahum’s heart stopped at Shabbat dinner, MDA refused to give up.

On a Friday evening, 77-year-old Nahum Steinhardt traveled to his daughter’s house for Shabbat dinner. As the family gathered around the table for the blessing over the wine, Steinhardt suddenly felt unwell and fell to the ground. A family member immediately called Magen David Adom… Read more

Slain MDA volunteer Ronen Engel’s body returned from Gaza.

Magen David Adom honors the memory of Ronen Engel, a volunteer EMT from Kibbutz Nir Oz, who was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Engel’s body was taken to Gaza and was just returned from Hamas captivity. He was buried in Kibbutz… Read more

MDA to provide protective medicine to Vice President J.D. Vance for Israel trip.

As Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom is prepared to ensure the safety and well-being of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, as well as of his delegation, for the duration of their official visit to Israel. MDA teams are equipped to address any… Read more

MDA’s whole blood system cut battlefield deaths in half.

When hundreds of wounded began pouring into hospitals on October 7, 2023, Israel’s blood supply system faced a challenge like never before. “For trauma patients, we need a special type of blood called low-titer O whole blood,” explained Moshe… Read more

Supermom paramedic delivers her own baby, then saves his life with CPR.

A MDA paramedic delivered her own baby at just 25 weeks and then used her MDA training to perform lifesaving CPR on him. When Ayala Chaimson, a paramedic with Magen David Adom, unexpectedly went into labor, she was visiting her parents’ house with her four… Read more

Jews, Arabs work as a “family” to save lives with Israel’s national ambulance service.

There’s still a long road to lasting peace in the Middle East after decades of war and hostility. One group may be a model for coexistence and shared humanity.  The paramedics are united in an area torn apart by… Read more

“Could I have done more?” MDA paramedics are haunted by October 7.

Many paramedics and first responders from Magen David Adom, who treated the wounded on October 7, 2023, remain haunted by the memories. As the two-year anniversary of October 7 passes, Israel is still reeling in shock, and the fatal wounds of… Read more

MDA medically supports hostage return.

In anticipation of the return of 20 living hostages to Israel, Magen David Adom has deployed EMTs and paramedics in ambulances and mobile intensive care units to provide medical cover for their arrival and the accompanying events. Working with IDF medical forces and the Ministry… Read more

MDA provides medical cover for President Trump’s historic Israel visit.

Ahead of his historic visit to Israel, Magen David Adom is providing medical cover and ensuring the safety of U.S President Donald Trump, the presidential delegation, dignitaries, and participants. President Trump is visiting the Knesset to speak about the ceasefire deal to end to the… Read more