Money raised for Israeli ambulances

Thursday, May 2, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

In early April Rabbi Felipe Goodman made a plea at Temple Beth Sholom to raise money to buy an ambulance to send to Israel, where Palestinian suicide bombers have turned thriving cities into battle zones.

After just three weeks of collecting money from the congregation -- receiving everything from $1,000 checks to $20 from children donating some of their bar mitzvah money -- the synagogue has raised enough to buy two ambulances and upgrade them to serve the war-torn West Bank.

"I have no words to describe the generosity," Goodman said Wednesday. "The response was so good because the need is so great. Some ambulances have been damaged or destroyed in the terrorist attacks. They must be replaced so that the wounded can be attended to quickly.

"We are continuing to raise money so maybe we can buy a third ambulance."

A basic ambulance costs $55,000, but with the more than $140,000 raised to date, the vehicles purchased by the temple are being upgraded to intensive care mobile units that can treat Israeli soldiers.

The customized ambulances are expected to be delivered to Israel in September, Goodman said.

Israel's emergency response agency Magen David Adom is not allowed to share the resources of the Arab world's International Red Crescent, said Rebecca Needler of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an organization that lobbies American support for Israel.

As a result Magen David Adom must rely on funds from the Israeli government and assistance from the private sector to buy ambulances.

Magen David Adom ambulances, marked with the Star of David, are not stationed in heavily Palestinian areas because of vandalism concerns. Israelis wounded in those areas are not transported by Red Crescent ambulances.

Magen David Adom ambulances often have difficulty getting to Palestinian areas in a timely manner to treat wounded soldiers and civilians, Needler said. However, in major Israeli centers, Magen David Adom ambulances serve people of all nationalities, including Arabs, she said.

The rift in the ambulance situation has widened in recent months because of accusations that Red Crescent emergency vehicles have been used to transport terrorists and ammunition, resulting in Israeli soldiers stopping Red Crescent ambulances and searching them, Needler said.

Magen David Adom maintains a fleet of 550 ambulances. The agency replaces about 80 vehicles a year that wear out, are damaged or are destroyed.

To donate, call (702) 804-1333.