The violence that shook Israel back in May prompted Miami philanthropists to take action.
The Braman Family Foundation donated $250,000 to purchase an armored ambulance for Magen David Adom, which is considered to be Israel’s paramedic and Red Cross service. The donation of this armored ambulance completes MDA’s armored fleet of 50.
Debi Braman Wechsler, executive director of the Miami-based foundation, said in a news release, “My father and I saw a video of an ambulance being attacked in Israel during the recent sectarian riots between Israeli Arabs and Jews.”
“A rock was thrown into the windshield that nearly hit the driver,” she continued. “This inspired us to provide more secure vehicles to Magen David Adom.”
Braman Wechsler is one of two daughters of the foundation’s founders, Norman and Irma Braman. Norman Braman is a philanthropist, car dealer and art collector.
Catherine L. Reed, chief executive officer of American Friends of Magen David Adom, said in the news release, “The Bramans have made a transformational change in the health and well-being of so many people by funding medical and educational projects throughout the world, as well as being major supporters of arts and culture in and around the Miami area.”
“This gift to MDA is symbolic of their values and that of the Jewish concept of pikuach nefesh, the belief that the preservation of human life overrides virtually any other religious rule,” Reed continued.
Visit afmda.org for more information on the organization.