"MDA – A Chance to See the Very Best of Israel."

Anthony Herman, Melbourne

I recently returned from Israel where, among other things, I volunteered to work in a Magen-David Adom ambulance. I did a few shifts in Jerusalem, but spent most of my time in Haifa. During my three months at MDA I saw and did many things that I will never forget. Since I have returned many people have asked me how could I travel to Israel during such a difficult time. I do not really understand the question, but I always answer that Israel, like anything in life, is what you make of it. You can see the negative, or you can appreciate and enjoy the positive. I was fortunate enough to see many wonderful things, and I would like to share a few of them with you.

The MDA program involves a week’s first-aid course in Jerusalem, prior to posting to a particular station – in my case Haifa. Together with 10 other volunteers, I arrived in Haifa and began working in an ambulance almost immediately. Initially I did the morning shift, but I sometimes switched to the afternoon or night shifts as well. I would arrive at the MDA Station ten minutes before the scheduled beginning time to help check and prepare the ambulance and its equipment. When a call came in we would run to the ambulance, turn on the sirens and lights and race to the patient. Calls ranged from work accidents to car accidents, heart attacks to seizures, irregular heart beats to fevers. During our time as MDA volunteers, my group also had calls which included the Versailles building collapse; bombings; a soccer riot; and shootings in the West Bank.

You never forget your first and last calls. My first call was a drunk – memorable only for the fact that it was my first. My last call was more dramatic. Just before my shift ended, dispatch informed us that a mother was giving birth in her apartment. We arrived just in time to help with the delivery. It is something I shall never forget - for my final call I was able to participate in the miracle of birth. The last sound of my MDA service was not the wailing of the sirens, but the cries of a new born baby.

Another aspect to my MDA experience is what I call the ‘gravy’, and it refers to being on duty at special events like concerts or soccer games. Any major event in Haifa requires a MDA presence, and the volunteers are an integral component of that presence. Three events stand out in my mind. The first was the Haifa University concert where I met Shlomo Artzi, Rami Kleinstein and his wife, and Tipex. We went backstage and even got to eat in the bands’ tent – Shlomo Artzi actually passed me a plate of biscuits. The second event was working at the World Cup Qualifier between Spain and Israel. I sat on the pitch as Israel managed a miraculous 1-1 draw. The final event was a free outdoor concert held on an open hill top on the Carmel. The setting was simple, but the mood was enchanting: a throng of Israelis sitting on a hill-top listening to classical music as the sun slowly sank into the ocean that could just be made out on the horizon.

But the MDA experience is not just about working in an ambulance or enjoying the ‘gravy’. It is also a chance to meet the chore of Israeli society – the volunteers. Israel is blessed with many volunteer services, and MDA is just one fantastic example. The volunteers are selfless people who give their time each day to keep the service running. They are the best of Israel; good people who love to give and work with unbridled enthusiasm. At MDA you have to be at least 15 to work in an ambulance and the age group ranges from that age to some pretty mature volunteers. The school kids are amazing, wise beyond their years. They finish school and go directly to the ambulance. I will never forget the concerned look on the face of a sixteen-year old girl holding an oxygen mask to a patient as the ambulance sped to the hospital. Adults also leave their paid work and head straight to the station. And when not on shifts these fine people are organizing cook-outs at the beach or a BBQ to ‘welcome’ a newly donated ambulance. The MDA station in Haifa is one big extended family. I was honored to be a small part of it, even if only for a short time.

The MDA workers were not the only amazing people I met. Indeed, during my trip I was fortunate enough to shake hands with Prime-Minister Ariel Sharon and President Moshe Katsav. But of all the amazing people I encountered, few could compare to the students at Aba Hushi – an absorption centre for students in Haifa. The MDA program organized for our group to stay there. Aba Chushi is a real fun place. The people there are mostly new immigrants – people who showed me that ideology and Zionism still flourish. Infused with the spirit of hope and determination they strive to make a future for themselves. During university exams I felt such pride to see Jews from Ethiopia, Russia and South America studying at the same table heads lent together in search for the answers. That image showed me a side of Israel I really love- Jews from all around the world working together for a common goal.

When I was not working, I was often at the beach. Haifa is a beautiful city which lies nestled between the sea and the mountains. During summer, everyday is a picture-perfect blue sky with a slight breeze and a temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius. I must have been to every beach in and around Haifa. A few of them stand-out. There is Chof HaCamel that boasts a wonderful coffee shop and chairs on the beach. There is also an open area near-by that becomes a stage for the Israeli dancers. Young and old, boys and girls, all come together and dance. Then there is Chof Ha Carmel that enjoys good surfing waves, and of course Chof HaRambam that is a beach for the slightly more mature beach-goer and too be honest does include some bathers in their under-ware. And my favorite - Chof Studenta which is the ‘cool beach.’ Populated by the most beautiful Israeli girls it is a stretch of untouched sand which lies just on the outskirts of Haifa. On a Friday afternoon the beach is full with people, blaring music, sheshbesh, mat-kot, soccer and beach volley-ball. It is a fun and relaxed place.

The Israel I saw contrasts starkly to the Israel presented in the media. I know that many Australians are now afraid to go to Israel, and I do not have the right to say ‘go and everything will be ok.’ All I can say is that in my experience, the situation is not like CNN or BBC portrays it. Indeed, the only time I was really afraid was when I got back to Australia and watched the news.

One of my favorite lines comes from a movie: ‘everybody dies but not everybody lives.’ Going to Israel is an opportunity to experience life. It is an opportunity to experience our history, heritage, and indeed our future. I was so lucky to have had the experience. And I am lucky to have traveled to Israel during a time of genuine need. Today Israel is still engaged in the struggle for survival. Today, fifty years after the re-birth of the State, Israel must still convince the world that Jews do have a right to exist, and that Jewish blood is not cheap. Israel is fighting this battle for Jews all over the world, and we should well remember that. I will never give up on Israel because I am afraid. Fear is not an option for our family and friends who live there. Fear is not an option for the Israelis who fight so that we may have Israel – either as a holiday destination or a place we would like to live someday. It is also important to remember that Spain and Germany were once good to their Jews. Australia is good to us now, but who knows what tomorrow can bring. For us the equation is simple. Jews need Israel to survive, and Israel needs Jews to survive.

One of the biggest arguments I have heard for living in the Diaspora is that Diaspora Jews can influence their governments to support Israel. If you believe this, then you should be out there supporting Israel - and the democratically elected government of Israel - each day and voicing your opinion in times of need. Solidarity marches, donations, letters to newspapers, complaints to biased news stations, etc all help (if you do not support the current government of Israel then you should stay quiet – if you care enough, then make aliyah, become an Israeli citizen and participate in the democratic process of electing a government which reflects your views). Of course one of the best ways to support Israel – aside from living there – is to travel there. Many Jews allowed themselves to be denied the experience of Israel this year. Fear won, but it need not have. If you are genuinely afraid then consider joining a program. On a program security is genuinely not a matter of concern. The organizers are so in tune with the situation and ‘hot-spots’ that every precaution is taken. Israel may look small on the map, but for a small country there are plenty of places to visit. These days a trip to Hebron may be risky, but why rule out Ein Gedi, Masada, Eilat, the Kinneret, etc. The organizers know this and many programs have been amended to cater for the current situation.

I guess what I am trying to say is that Israel is still there. Now is a tough time, but in life it is the tough times which let you see who you really are. You can see the good or the not so good. You can see the beach or the fear. The current situation is an opportunity to test your link to Israel. In short the question is: are you prepared to stand up and be counted?