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Welcome to our MDA UK Interactive Red Shield Winter Edition.
The return of the remaining living hostages in October was an emotional moment for the people of Israel and Jewish communities across the world.
As we enter into a fragile peace, we all know that tomorrow will be extremely difficult. There is no immediate healing. There is no immediate calm. There is no immediate closure on what everyone has been through. And sadly that won’t
change overnight. We are too far down the road now for things to return to normal. Life remains unstable, uncertain and hard.
That is why, at our recent Annual Campaign Dinner, we launched a five-year campaign to take us through to that time of healing, renewal and hope. As you will have read in our cover story, this is Machratayim – The Day After Tomorrow.
Tragically, there are still (at the time of writing) bodies of deceased hostages being held in Gaza. We will not forget them and will continue to support our friends at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum for as long as their work is necessary. I would like to congratulate Nivi Feldman, the first winner of the MDA UK Bridge to Israel Award for her tireless commitment to this cause over the past two and a bit years.
The connection between our community in the UK and the people and communities of Israel has never been stronger – MDA UK is proud to be part of building and creating these connections now and into the future.
Daniel Burger
Chief Executive
Magen David Adom UK
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW STARTS NOW
Magen David Adom UK launched its five-year fundraising and awareness campaign “Machratayim” (Hebrew for The Day A fterTomorrow) in the run up to MDA’s Centenary in 2030. At the launch dinner in November, held at the Peninsula Hotel, the charity set out its vision for the next five years with an uplifting message of hope and healing whilst acknowledging the ongoing impact of trauma both across Israel and the UK.
With guest speeches from the First Lady, Michal Herzog, global vlogger Nas Daily, and MDA volunteer Fadi Dekaidek, the evening highlighted a shared commitment to Israel’s future. Together, they emphasised the urgent need for mental, emotional, and physical support for all Israelis, while honouring the continued bravery and lifesaving dedication of MDA’s volunteers.
Introducing “Machratayim” and the importance of MDA’s work not only in emergency life-saving care but also in helping to address the physical and mental health impacts of the past two years, Russell Jacobs, Chair of MDA UK, said: “None of us can be certain when we will arrive at Machratayim, but we hope and pray that it is sooner rather than later. One thing is for sure: if we do not begin to build for it now, it will take far longer to arrive.”
The evening also saw the launch of two landmark initiatives, the MDA UK Bridge to Israel Awards (see P.4) and MDA UK’s 30 by 30 project, which will see 30 new projects by 2030 funded by MDA UK supporters. Linking 30 communities in the UK with 30 in Israel. Daniel Burger said: “For generations, people have identified MDA as ‘the ambulance people’ and donating towards an ambulance is an amazing sign of philanthropy. But MDA is about so much more and one of the greatest aspects of our work has been the building of links between communities in the UK and communities in Israel.”
Over 400 guests attended the event, raising a phenomenal amount to support the work of Magen David Adom and save more lives.
Read MoreThis Rosh Hashanah, our community came together in an incredible show of solidarity and support for Magen David Adom’s newest initiative: Magen in the Community. Thanks to your generosity, we have already raised over a quarter of a million pounds towards this vital project, helping to ensure that lifesaving care reaches even Israel’s most remote and vulnerable areas.
Launched in response to the devastating events of October 7th and the ongoing, complex security challenges of the past two years, this project is about strengthening Israel’s frontline resilience, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, family by family.
At its core, Magen in the Community focuses on training and equipping Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in towns, villages, and remote areas across the country. These CERTs are made up of local medical professionals, security personnel and volunteers; neighbours and friends who choose to step forward to protect their communities. With specialty training in CPR, trauma care, mass casualty triage, and MDA’s advanced communication protocols, these volunteers will be ready to act immediately in the event of conflict, terror attacks or even natural disasters.
Each team will participate in rigorous, full-scale drills simulating real, high-pressure emergency scenarios. They will collaborate with local authorities and communities to ensure that when the time comes, an immediate, coordinated response is ready to jump into action. And crucially, they will be equipped with the medical tools and supplies needed to save lives on the spot.
By placing trained medical professionals and responders at the heart of their own communities, this initiative will ensure that even when roads are blocked and towns and villages are cut off , no one is left without essential medical care. Magen in the Community is there to enhance community resilience, empower civilians, and give communities the confidence that when every second counts, help is already there. This initiative embodies Magen David Adom’s unwavering mission: to save lives, to stand ready in every emergency, and to protect the people of Israel.
To all our donors and supporters who have made this project possible, thank you. Your generosity is not only funding equipment and training, it’s helping build a stronger, safer, and more resilient Israel.
30 BY 30 BY 2030
MDA UK has launched its ambitious 30 by 30 initiative as part of the new Machratayim campaign, unveiled at the Annual Dinner. The project aims to create 30 meaningful partnerships between UK communities and MDA stations or programmes in Israel by MDA’s Centenary in 2030.
Introducing the initiative, Chief Executive Daniel Burger said: “For generations, people have identifi ed MDA as ‘the ambulance people’ and donating towards an ambulance is an amazing act of philanthropy that saves lives… But MDA is about so much more, and one of the greatest aspects of our work has been building links
between communities in the UK and Israel.”
The first five twinning projects were announced on the night, including partnerships with Mas’ade, Beit Shemesh, Netanya, Shoham, and the new MDA Headquarters and International Training School in Ramla.
If you would like to become one of the thirty, please contact us at [email protected].
MANCHESTER DINNER BACKS NETANYA PROJECT
In September, MDA UK held its annual Manchester Dinner, an evening of reflection, resilience and generosity, raising over £80,000 for the Netanya Station Project, one of the first 5 twinnings as part of the 30 by 30 project.
Guests heard from two powerful speakers: Mike Marlowe, father of the late Jake Marlowe z”l, and investigative journalist David Collier.
Mike Marlowe movingly shared his experience of the past two years, and his son’s enduring legacy following his death on October 7th. “Jakey’s story, his legacy is far from final — it is actually evolving.” he said “The MDA ambulance dedicated to him has in its short period been called out over 1,900 times, saving countless lives in the process.”
David Collier spoke about his work exposing anti-Zionism and antisemitism in the media, recalling how his investigations prompted the BBC to remove the documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone and led the New York Times to issue a retraction over a misleading image. “I don’t have big backers nor secret tools,” he stated, “but I do have the will to go out and fight for the truth.”
MDA UK’s Director of Fundraising, Joshua Diamond, closed the evening with a message of cautious optimism. “MDA represents the very best of Israeli society. There is an incredible network of more than 35,000 volunteer medics who give up their own time to save lives. With Stars of David on their backs, representing all of
us as a sign of hope, health, and healing for all.”
To twin your community as part of 30 by 30,please contact [email protected].
Global YouTube sensation Nas Daily began his two-day Magen David Adom UK speaking tour (see front page) with a sell-out event in Radlett, in partnership with The Jewish Chronicle. Over 200 people packed in to Radlett Synagogue to hear the Israeli-Palestinian social media influencer in conversation with JC journalist, Nicole Lampert.
The wide-ranging discussion moved from Al-Jazeera and the BBC to hopes for lasting peace in the Middle East and AI. Daily, the Harvard economics graduate turned vlogger – most famous for his one-minute videos of inspiration – spoke of his desire to live in a world where he could take a taxi from Tel Aviv to Beirut for lunch and then on to Damascus for dinner.
Nas, born in the Arab town of Arraba in the Lower Galillee and real name Nuseir Yassin, acknowledged the toxicity of media coverage towards Israel and stated his personal mission to show the “real Israel” to his 68 million followers. He shared his hope that many would now take the opportunity to visit, declaring that there has never been a safer time to visit Tel Aviv.
When asked what his own hopes for the future were, he declared that he wanted to be the first Israeli-Arab founder of a ‘unicorn’ (a startup valued at over $1billion). Something he intended to achieve by bringing people together with good news and positive stories form around the world.
There was no better place to start than with Magen David Adom who, he said, “had 100 stories a day worth telling”, before encouraging the next generation of story tellers. “Half your efforts should be to save lives and half to tell everyone about it.”
The inaugural annual MDA UK Bridge to Israel Awards will be held 27 April 2026 but the first award was made at the recent Campaign Dinner in London, presented to Nivi Feldman by former hostage Shoshan Haran in acknowledgement of the brilliant work she has done over the past two years leading the Hostage & Missing Famlilies Forum UK. Making the award, Daniel Burger, CEO of MDA UK said: “At MDA UK, we have been proud to support Nivi’s work and this award is for her brilliant leadership through the toughest of times.”
ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY
It’s been a busy few months of community in support of Magen David Adom UK across the country.
In July, MDA supporters in Hull came together for a summer brunch, while FZY, Noam, and Bnei Akiva tour groups visiting Israel had the opportunity to meet MDA dispatcher, Ronit Glaser, who led them on a behind-the-scenes tour of MDA’s Jerusalem station.
In September Sha’arei Tsedek in Oakleigh Park and West London Synagogue, were two of the many who chose to support MDA as part of their Kol Nidre appeal. West London Synagogue supported MDA in memory of Dolev Yehud, an MDA Volunteer medic killed on 7th October.
In October, over 100 guests attended a joint event with UJIA in Leeds featuring producer Leo Pearlman, raising funds and awareness for a first response vehicle.
In November, Jewish medical students connected virtually with Ronit for a special
Student Jewish Medical Association event, and in Maidenhead, 80 guests attended the annual Quiz Night in aid of MDA – with Ronit joining online once again!
To get your community involved, please contact [email protected].
GOOD LUCK TO OUR 2026 LONDON MARATHON RUNNERS
THE MANY WAYS TO RAISE AND SAVE
This year, Magen David Adom UK’s supporters have gone above and beyond to raise vital funds, through a mixture of inspiring sporting events and challenges, together raising over £100,000 to help save lives in Israel.
In June, MDA was represented at the Maccabi Fun Run, where 15 enthusiastic participants ran, walked, and cheered in support of Israel’s national emergency service.
In July, HOD hosted the 20th Annual Asher Teper Memorial Golf Day at the Hartsbourne Golf Club, this year choosing to support MDA. Funds went towards a new Portable Bomb Shelter, helping to protect medics and civilians
on the front lines. Mazal tov to the winning team – Adam Shama, David Birne, Aron Keet and Mark Dickson.
October saw 20 dedicated runners take on the challenge of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising over £30,000 for MDA’s lifesaving work. Just before this, a team of cyclists completed the iconic London to Brighton bike ride, pedalling for the same cause. The combination of these two events raised money for the donation of a first responder car.
Supporter David Ridge took things to a whole new level with his ‘Triathlon with a Twist’, which combined a 10km run, a 15,000 skydive, and a back wax! David’s one-of-a-kind challenge exceeded his fundraising goal with all proceeds going towards the Yorkshire Project.
Whether on a well known marathon route, the golf course, or from the skies, our supporters continue to show that there’s no limit to creativity and dedication when fundraising for Magen David Adom.
Challenge yourself and help save more lives. Visit mdauk.org/challenges to see and take part in our upcoming events.
In September, Magen David Adom UK was honoured to partner with Christie’s to host Reflecting on Restitution, an exclusive panel discussion at the London headquarters of one of the world’s most prestigious and influential auction houses, exploring the extraordinary story of the Fuld art collection and its lasting connection to MDA.
Chaired by broadcaster and barrister Robert Rinder MBE, the panel featured an exceptional lineup: Dr Imke Gielen, a leading restitution lawyer; Anke Adler-Slottke, International Consultant for Christie’s; Richard Aronowitz, Christie’s Global Head
of Restitution; and Daniel Burger, Chief Executive of MDA UK. Together, they reflected on the remarkable journey of artworks once owned by industrialist Harry Fuld Jr, a man with an incredible life story that the German government is making into a film in partnership with MDA UK.
Fuld’s art collection, left to his housekeeper Gisela Martin, was bequeathed to Magen David Adom UK after her passing. Over time, several pieces have been restituted with funds going towards MDA’s lifesaving work, including Henri Matisse’s Le Mur Rose (1898) and the Renaissance sculpture La Vierge de Pitié by Gil de Siloe, which was returned to MDA in 2023 and later auctioned off by Christie’s.
The event offered a powerful reminder of how justice, remembrance, and generosity intertwine, resulting in a powerful legacy. Through the ongoing restitution of the Fuld collection, the proceeds continue to support MDA’s vital work, ensuring lives are saved in Israel and beyond.
PLANTING THE SEEDS OF HOPE IN BELFAST
Over 600 people gathered to hear from Dr Shoshan Haran, a leading agricultural expert and resident of Kibbutz Be’eri who was held hostage in Gaza for 50 days following October 7th. The event, in partnership with Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, was held on the second anniversary of Shoshan’s release from captivity.
From Dallas with Love: Strengthening Israel Through Christian Friendship
On October 10th, a remarkable gathering took place in Dallas, Texas as the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide (RCCG) and Magen David Adom leaders including MDA UK CEO Daniel Burger, came together in an expression of faith and solidarity.
At the heart of this moment was the donation of a new ambulance to MDA from RCCG members. It was a gift that will save lives, bring hope, and remind us of the power of friendship in action. “A medical doctor is supposed to be neutral. Anybody is brought to your hospital, you don’t begin to ask, what’s your religion? When it comes to saving life, an ambulance is probably the greatest symbol to Christian kindness,” the General Overseer shared during the dedication.
The dedication took place two years after the tragic events of October 7th, and in the same week that the hostages were finally returned home and peace began to settle back into Israel. It was a deeply moving event, marked by gratitude, healing, and hope.
