On Oct. 27, the American Friends of Magen David Adom held its annual NYC Gala. The event was hosted by singer, actor, and playwright Tovah Feldshuh and honored CNN contributor and political commentator Van Jones with the Legacy of Unity Award. Aaron Dahan, owner of Manhattan’s Caffè Aronne, received the Community Impact Award.
Feldshuh began, “Tonight, we’re here for a cause that’s very close to my heart, Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical and blood services organization. There are now more than 40,000 volunteers and professionals who are ready around the clock to respond when someone needs them. They’re making sure that when someone’s life is on the line, help is ready and on its way.”
Regarding the evening’s theme, “Every Generation Answers The Call,” Feldshuh said: “For generations, we taught our kids being Jewish means more than knowing just where they came from. Being Jews comes to the obligation of tikkun olam, that Talmudic principle that everyone is put on this planet to heal the world.” Referring to Magen David Adom, she added, “They’re on the front lines, every day, saving lives, for 96 years.”
Following Oct. 7, Aaron Dahan found himself facing an unexpected challenge. The employees of his Caffè Aronne walked out over his public support of Israel and fundraising efforts for Magen David Adom. “When we first heard about what happened on Oct. 7, it was a feeling of helplessness,” he said. “There was no way to help those there, in a time when they needed it most. What caused us to do something? Seeing Hamas flags in Times Square, Hezbollah flags in Washington and swastikas all over the city.” At his café, Dahan chose to display images of hostages and an Israeli flag. On Nov. 7, his baristas quit; other staff began wearing Palestinian flag pins and created their own menu. The incident prompted an immediate outpouring of public support, with customers lining the block just to make a purchase at Caffè Aronne. Grateful for the support he received, Dahan began to raise funds for MDA. To date, Dahan has donated two MDA medi-cycles, with a third on the way.
Catherine Reed, CEO of AFMDA, expressed: “I don’t think there has ever been a time where I felt that responsibility more deeply than I have over the last three years. We have witnessed some of the most painful and challenging moments in Israel’s history. But we have also witnessed extraordinary resilience, remarkable strength, and a determination to keep moving forward, even under the most difficult circumstances.
“As we look to the future, our responsibility is to make sure that MDA has everything it needs to continue protecting the people of Israel. That includes not only ambulances, equipment, and training required to respond, but also the care and physical and emotional well-being of the remarkable people who carry out that mission every day. Behind every uniform is a human being who gives so much of themselves in service to others.”
MDA Paramedic Ori Lazarovich described the impact of this work. “Every one of us has people who love us, worry about us and wait for us to come home. Tragically, some of our colleagues never did. They gave their lives trying to save others, leaving behind families and loved ones who will never stop missing them. The next time you meet an MDA volunteer, feel free to thank them for what they do. … When you support MDA, you’re not only helping us rescue the people of Israel, you’re also helping us take care of the people who do the rescue. Sometimes, people who spend their lives rescuing others need someone to rescue them as well.”
Presented with the famous photo of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marching with Rabbi Abraham Heschel, Jones said: “Somebody must have told you my secret. That’s my favorite relationship in the history of American politics, because those two guys walked through hell together and freed a nation. That’s what happens when Blacks and Jews walk together. You would not have this thing you call American democracy if it weren’t for the courage of Blacks and Jews.”
Jones continued: “I’m really honored to receive this award. Helping the people who help the people. There’s nothing more important. That’s what MDA does.
“I get this weird thing now: people from the Jewish community coming up to me and thanking me. I appreciate it. I don’t think I’m owed to be thanked. Jew-hatred is a poison that’s being put into my community. I’m trying to fight for my community, to not get tricked into turning against the only friend that we’ve ever had. This is a moral responsibility. We have to challenge this next generation.”
Jones added: “The question the young people of the world have to ask themselves is: Are the miraculous achievements of the Jewish people in the half century or so since the Holocaust a good thing or a bad thing? Jews are going to be fine; you survived everything. I’m not worried about Jews. I’m worried about everybody else who’s being tricked into attacking the most inspirational story in human history, and I stand with you.”
Feldshuh concluded: “Van’s speech reminds me of [sayings] by George Bernard Shaw. ‘I believe that our lives belong to the community; as long as we shall live, it is our privilege to do whatever we can. We want to be thoroughly used up when we die. The harder we work, the more we live. Life is no brief candle to us. It is a splendid torch that we have hold of for just one moment in time. And we want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.’”
By Judy Berger