On the morning of the 19th August 2007, the new MDA Station in Beit Shemesh was inaugurated. The ceremony took place with the participation of the Hon. Chief Rabbi for Israel, Rabbi Yonah Metzger and other leading figures in the community.
The ceremony was opened with the address of the Mayor of Beit Shemesh, Daniel Vaknin, who said that the building of a new MDA station was the initiative of Mrs. Doris Mayntzer Z.L., (who has meanwhile passed away), who founded the “Keren Yossef” fund in memory of her late husband, for the purpose of saving lives.
The mayor also praised the activity of the youth volunteers in the station and said that they were the pride of the town, whose activity is motivated by love and compassion.
The Mayor wished to thank the Friends of MDA in Great Britain without whom the project would have never gotten under way and concluded by saying “You, our friends from Britain have a large and generous heart”.
Gina Kersh, the daughter of Doris, continuing in her steps, was very emotional when she told the participants about her mother’s diverse activities for the people of Beit Shemesh and as her mother always expressed, while alive, “all for the sake of our children”. Her mother, who saw the poor conditions under which the teams were functioning in the old station, decided to change the situation and convinced the Friends of MDA in Great Britain to join her in building a new station. “I thank you for helping us fulfil my mother’s dream” Gina thanked her partners in the project.
The Chairman of MDA’s Executive Committee thanked all those involved and said: “I hope the staff in the station will not only save lives but also bring new life amidst the walls of the station that will lead to weddings, births and other happy occasions”.
Upon the conclusion of all the speeches – the Hon. Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yonah Metzger affixed the mezuzah and blessed all those present that the Mezuzzah watch over them and particularly, the patients.
The need for the erection of a new station was raised when it was realized that the existing station – built in the 50s, did not respond to the developing needs of the town and its surroundings, and the significant growth of the population in recent years. The new MDA station provides services to a population of about 120 thousand in the town and its surroundings. Deployed in the station are 7 ambulances, 2 Mobile-intensive-Care Units, one mobile station for multi-casualty incidents and activity is carried out in operational shifts. The new infrastructure installed in the station consists advanced computerized systems and new technologies of communication and telephones. The structure reflects a novel planning concept with special emphasis on comfort and an advanced and aesthetic working environment that will enable the staff and volunteers to carry out their professional missions with maximum comfort.
Site map | Manchester office | Terms and conditions | Your privacy
Magen David Adom UK, a company limited by guarantee (company number 5718138) whose registered office is at Shield House, Harmony Way, off Victoria Road, London, NW4 2BZ. Registered Charity Number: 1113409