Fuld inspires in virtual address

Australian Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) general manager Tamara Porat revealed that with keynote guest speaker tech entrepreneur and Israel advocate Hillel Fuld only able to speak via video link due to his entry visa being cancelled by the Australian government, she’d felt uncertain if the fundraising event at Central Synagogue on June 16 would even go ahead.

It not only did go ahead, but was well-attended by Jewish Sydneysiders in support of MDA’s life-saving work.

Within days, the community responded to AFMDA’s emergency appeal by raising more than $100,000.

“I reached out, asking you to step up and show up, and I could not be more proud and grateful, that you did, so thank you all,” Porat told the audience.

She announced that proceeds from AFMDA’s current campaign will go to building a 24/7 MDA emergency station in the northern Negev town of Lehavim, which only has one ambulance and one paramedic.

“This is a promise and message to the people of Lehavim that we’ve got your back.”

The first thing Fuld did in his virtual address was express gratitude for the Australian Jewish community’s “incredible amount of love and support” following his cancelled Australian visa, adding, “I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.

“I’m also deeply appreciative of an organisation like MDA, whose tens of thousands of volunteers are right now, putting themselves in danger, in order to save lives.”

After providing fascinating insights about Israel’s thriving tech sector – which produces more unicorns than the European Union nations combined – Fuld acknowledged the ongoing pain and fear in Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.

But he urged people to try to focus on “all the miracles occurring daily in the current conflict”, referring to Israel’s air superiority in Iranian skies, and Israel’s multi-layered and remarkably effective air defence systems.

Fuld concluded with a message of hope: “Always remember that Am Yisrael chai is real.”

AFMDA president Tony Ziegler paid tribute to the memory of the 39 MDA personnel killed since October 7, including 22-year-old Staff Sergeant Omer van Gelder, who died in Gaza on June 2.

“Since last Friday, hundreds of missiles and drones have rained down and Israel has once again placed its trust in the MDA,” Ziegler said.

“And you are a pillar of MDA’s preparedness.”

Visiting MDA paramedic Yarin Shitrit also spoke, and Rabbi Levi Wolff recited prayers for Israel and the IDF.