Volunteering with Magen David Adom Through Masa
This year, do something out of the extraordinary. If you are an already certified doctor, this is your time to come to Israel with Masa and volunteer with Magen David Adom.
Through this program, you will work with the Israeli public and be a part of an international team who are saving lives daily! You will have the opportunity to choose between Haifa or Beer Sheva, immersing yourself in their vibrant culture as you gain further critical lifesaving skills.
But What is Magen David Adom and How Can You Join?
Magen David Adom (MDA) in Israel, established initially in 1918 and re-founded in 1930, is Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood bank service. Inspired by the Red Cross, MDA operates as a volunteer organization with over 13,000 volunteers, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, who provide critical medical aid during emergencies and disasters.
The organization has grown significantly, with over 115 stations and dispatch points, 300 ambulances, and 150 Mobile Intensive Care Units across Israel. MDA has been pivotal in pre-hospital advanced life support since the 1970s and is recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which it officially joined in 2006. Supported by global societies like MDA Friends in the U.S. and U.K., the organization continues to enhance its life-saving operations through international donations and community support.
Magen David Adom on October 7th, 2023
On October 7th, Magen David Adom, was one of the first to respond to the surprise terror attacks of October 7th, 2023. Uri Shacham, Chief of Staff, emphasized the organization’s readiness to save lives, ingrained in their DNA. MDA’s ability to respond rapidly was absolutely unparalleled. During the crisis, MDA’s diverse volunteers, including paramedic Haim Rubin, who evacuated the wounded under gunfire, showcased extraordinary bravery and dedication, ensuring immediate, life-saving treatment across Israel.
Read more about the Heroes of MDA from October 7th, here, who risked their lives to save so many!
Why Join Magen David Adom as a Masa Volunteer?
Volunteering at Magen David Adom with Masa Volunteers in Israel offers a unique opportunity to gain professional and personal experiences over four to six weeks, as you immerse yourself in Israeli culture while acquiring vital lifesaving skills.
As a Masa volunteer at MDA, you will work on ambulances throughout Haifa and Be’er Sheva, depending on the volunteering opportunity you choose. You’ll undergo a 10-day training program to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Israel, totaling 68 hours.
You will also receive a $400 stipend at a fixed conversion rate of 3.5 shekels to the dollar. Additionally, you will be provided with a uniform. Besides working various shifts at all hours of the day, you will also have the chance to attend medical tours of different medical institutions around Israel.
If you choose the city of Haifa, our current cohort also receives free surf lessons on Friday morning’s!
Check out the Instagram page of the MDA program to see how your volunteering experience can look like!
Deliver a Baby in Israel!
Check out this exciting and heartwarming story. Hettie, who is pictured on the left side of the photo below, arrived from England to participate in a six-week program in cooperation with Magen David Adom. She helped deliver a baby, while on her program, which was a very exciting moment for her, for the baby’s family and for us at Masa.
Which City to Choose?
Beer Sheva
Beer Sheva is known as the capital of the Negev Desert. Located at the northern tip of the Negev Desert, Beer Sheva is also one of Israel’s fastest growing cities. ֲHome to Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva has a large student population and a vibrant culture for young adults. The student community is very social and offers many opportunities for Masa Fellows to take part in student initiatives and activities. As a result, the area around the university has a college town feel, filled with entertaining nightlife. ֲBeer Sheva also has a large immigrant population and many Bedouin communities in the nearby areas.
Haifa
Haifa is Israel’s third largest city and one of its most beautiful and multicultural. Haifa has gorgeous beaches, scenic views from Mount Carmel, and forests perfect for hiking. It is the home of the magnificent Bahai Gardens and Temple, theaters, concert halls, restaurants, and museums. Two of Israel’s leading universities, the University of Haifa and the Technion, are located in Haifa, giving the city a vibrant student life and lively nightlife. Stroll home from your internship on one of Haifa’s four amazing beaches or catch a lift on the Carmelit Subway, Israel’s only underground subway system. The people of Haifa are from diverse religions, cultures, and ethnicities. Jews and Arabs live side by side, and sites of religious worship of the main religions can be found there. Jewish life in Haifa is rich and diverse, with the active Boston-Haifa Connection spearheading creative Jewish cultural events and programs that are open and welcoming.
Sign Up to Volunteer with Magen David Adom!
Volunteering with Magen David Adom and Masa is an exciting chance to make a meaningful impact as you immerse yourself in Israel and meet Israelis from many different walks of life. Whether you choose the student-friendly and diverse city of Beer Sheva or the scenic, multicultural environment of Haifa, you will undoubtedly grow personally and professionally no matter which you choose. Join us to enhance your professional skills as a certified doctor and create long lasting memories and experiences that will carry you for a lifetime. Start your journey with us today and become a part of a passionate team committed to saving lives.
