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April 4, 2003/Nisan 2 5763, Vol. 55, No. 32
Ambulance for Israel fulfills dreamCommunity commemorates donation to fellow Jews in need
BARRY COHEN
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 U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-4th District), left, stands with Anna and William Koenig in front of the ambulance the Koenigs donated to Israel. William Koenig displays a plaque of appreciation for their contribution. The door reads: "Presented to the People of Israel by William and Anna Koenig, Phoenix, Arizona U.S.A." Photo by Tegwin Winterhalt |
The culmination of a nearly year-long communitywide effort to raise the funds to contribute an ambulance customized for Israel's needs took place with a dedication ceremony March 23.
The event took place in the courtyard of Temple Chai in Phoenix. Valley couple William and Anna Koenig donated the ambulance, and additional tzedakah contributions filled it with equipment. The ambulance was on display in the synagogue parking lot, in addition to two local ambulances and a fire truck. Valley emergency medical technicians and firemen invited children to see the inside of the vehicles and displayed how the equipment worked.
"The trauma needs (in Israel) have been overwhelming," says Temple Chai's Rabbi William Berk at the dedication, attended by approximately 120 people. "The vulnerability of Israelis is something we all feel at this time, more than ever as our soldiers stand in great vulnerability today in the Middle East."
Berk described the ambulance as a symbol that the Valley Jewish community's solidarity with Israel is unbreakable.
The Koenigs came up with the idea to donate an ambulance during a visit to Israel 30 years ago. At an accident, they witnessed MDA ambulance medics scramble to treat the victims.
"We were so impressed by the commitment of (the medics) that we made up our minds to donate an ambulance whenever we would be able to afford it," says Anna Koenig.
"They originally had this donation in their will, (but) because of pressing needs in Israel right now for help, they said (that they) want to do this now while the need is so great," says Barbara Zemel, co-coordinator of the Arizona Friends of American Red Magen David for Israel.
While the Koenigs, Holocaust survivors and founders of the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors' Association, purchased the ambulance, ARMDI spearheaded communitywide efforts to raise the funds to fill it with medical supplies.
U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-4th District), dedication speaker, said he was moved by how the Koenigs survived the Holocaust and presented them with an award in recognition of their donation. He also read from a proclamation issued by Gov. Janet Napolitano that recognized Anna and William Koenig "as true and outstanding leaders of the state of Arizona."
| ARMDI makes local children 'Partners for Life' |
"I am proud of the fact that our kids are so aware of what is going on about the need in Israel and that they cared enough to raise money to make a contribution," says Karin Epstein, mother of a Pardes student, and event attendee.
Marissa Galon, sixth-grader at Pardes, adds, "I thank everyone that came here today and am happy for everyone who raised money for ARMDI."
For Israeli transplant Bo Lerer, who attended the dedication, the Koenigs' donation is personal.
"This is a cause that I feel really close to," says Lerer, a former volunteer MDA ambulance driver. "My mother volunteered for MDA in the 1940s," he adds.
MDA, the equivalent to the Red Cross Society, is dependent upon ARMDI fund raising, says Lerer. "The (Israeli) government doesn't give anything to them."
According to the ARMDI Web site, the cost of an ambulance ranges from $59,000-$79,000.
"Whenever I tell my friends in Israel or family (there) what is done here to help Israel, it touches their hearts," says Daphna Gold, who moved to the Valley from Israel. Her sister, Sharon Klier, used to be an MDA volunteer, she adds.
"There is an ongoing and impressive effort of American Jews, and for that matter ... Americans of all faiths, supporting Israel, not just with words ... but in very real ways, like this ambulance," notes Shadegg after the dedication. "It is tragic, it makes you sad to know that for Israel, every day holds, sadly, the portent that an ambulance like that will be needed."
The Koenigs' donation is "an inspiration to us all," he adds.
Contact the writer at barry_cohen@jewishaz.com.