Message to sponsors

Hello, I’m Madeleine Zuckerman and I’m a 7th grader at The Rashi School in Dedham, Massachusetts. I first learned about United Hatzalah when a representative visited my school to share some information about this incredible organization and the important work their volunteers do. They are a team of 8,000 EMTs, paramedics, and doctors on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They are unique because not only do they have a large network of volunteers always available to help, but many of them use “ambucycles” – basically a motorcycle-style ambulance because it is a faster alternative to ambulances, which could take significantly longer to arrive at an emergency due to traffic. Their goal is to reach those in need in 90 seconds or less from the time they first get a call.

As I’ve done more research, I learned that 100% of United Hatzalah funding is from donations. They do not receive any government funding. On October 7th, over 1,500 volunteers from United Hatzalah rushed to the rescue. In fact, many volunteers arrived during the active crisis to provide emergency medical attention. After a few days went by, and there were fewer emergency medical cases, many volunteers also came to provide food for people in need. United Hatzalah provides emergency services within Israel as well as all over the world. They have assisted with crises in Ukraine during the war, in Nepal following the Gorkha earthquake and in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew; just to name a few. Additionally, they have no bias or limitations when it comes to who to help or who can volunteer.

I have selected to raise funds for United Hatzalah for my Bat Mitzvah project because this is a truly remarkable organization that embodies our core Jewish values of Tikkun olam (the belief in human responsibility to repair the world), Tzedakah (the Hebrew word for charity and justice) and Kehillah (the commitment to community).