Dear Friends,

Yom Hazicharon, the IDF Memorial Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 15th. Because of the current situation in Israel, I feel this day will take on a whole new meaning for people. This year will also be hard for me as I too have suffered a personal loss. Yochai Porat (z"l), my instructor for the Magen David Adom course and my friend, was killed on March 3 in a terror
attack. He was on reserve army duty as a medic at a checkpoint near Ofra when he was shot and killed by a sniper. I then went through the hardest week I have had to experience since coming to Israel. The best way to deal with a death is to have something positive come about
from it. Since Yochai's (z"l) death, I have begun helping the Magen David Adom organization in any way I can. I volunteer at the Beer Sheva and Ashdod stations whenever possible, a MDA course for 12 students on my program will begin tomorrow, I plan to continue in Emergency Medicine, and I try to spread the word about MDA and the Foreign Volunteers Program. I feel this is one way that I can honor Yochai's (z"l) memory and pass his message
along. Among the many things that Yochai (z"l) taught us in the course and showed us in his life were his love for MDA, Israel, and helping people. He was the coordinator of the Foreign Volunteers Program and spent time volunteering for MDA in Jerusalem, Kfar Saba, and wherever else he was needed. He even brought an ambulance with him wherever he went in order to be able to respond to an emergency at a moment's notice.
I remember the helpless feeling I had while living in New York and even at some point in Israel. I remember hearing again and again of the terror attacks and realizing how uncontrollable the situation had become. And the worst feeling was that there was nothing I could do about it..... However, this feeling has changed with the training and experience I
received from MDA. While I still cannot prevent someone from blowing him/herself up at the corner store or sidewalk cafe, I can help after the attack. I have been trained to treat and evacuate victims and to save lives. I can finally DO something!! I can have a real and tangible effect on the state and citizens of Israel. While this is a feeling of tremendous responsibility, at the same time, it is one of empowerment. I am writing this e-mail to tell you what an incredible organization Magen David Adom is and how much they do for Israel. I want you to know that you can help this organization too by spreading the word, donating money, volunteering, etc. The Jewish Agency runs a Foreign Volunteer Program in which you can come to Israel, take a week long course to be certified as an Emergency First Responder, volunteer on ambulances for 2 months or more, and have one of the most incredible experiences of your life.
I am writing to you in honor of Yom Hazicharon and in memory of Yochai Porat (z"l). It is for him, and for you, that I pass this message along. My goal is to pass on this feeling of empowerment. You don't have to sit at home feeling helpless. Maybe we can just make a small difference, but it's a difference, none the less. Israel needs you now, perhaps more than ever before so please, stand up and show your support!!
All the best,
Natalie Martinez