Riverdale donates ambulance to Israel

There is a special relationship between the United States and Israel. In Riverdale, this connection runs deep.”

Congressman Ritchie Torres

It was a spring-like day on Feb. 23 as Congressman Ritchie Torres, along with local politicians and community leaders, gathered at the Riverdale Y to dedicate a fully funded ambulance to ship to Israel amid the ongoing war.

According to the Riverdale Jewish Community Partnership (RJCP,) the decision to dedicate the ambulance was inspired by the harrowing story of Zvi Reder, a Magen David Adom EMT -- Israel’s national emergency medical services.

On Oct. 7, 2023 – the day of the infamous attack -- Reder awoke to the sound of thousands of rockets launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that killed more than 1,000 innocent bystanders. Despite the chaos, Reder immediately went to work treating the injured, risking his life to help those caught in the massacre. Since then, the two nations have been embroiled in a bloody war involving hostages, some of which have been released and others whohave died in terrorist custody.

However, the personal tragedy struck when Reder received a text from his son, Dor, who was at home on that fateful day.

“I can’t talk, there’s a lot of noise outside,” the text read.

Reder’s worst fears were realized when he later learned his son had been murdered by the terrorist group. Shortly after burying his son, he stood at the funeral of another fallen hero, Yarin Peled, an MDA volunteer and soldier whom he once hosted at his home.

The same month of the attack, RJCP began collecting donations and raised more than $120,000 they used to buy an ambulance they would send to Magen David Adom. On Sunday, they unveiled the state-of-the-art vehicle with an inscription on both ambulance doors that read, “Presented to the people of Israel in love and solidarity by the Riverdale Jewish Community Partnership.”

“There is a special relationship between the United States and Israel,” Torres said. “In Riverdale, this connection runs deep. We have a vibrant Jewish community here and we feel a moral obligation to support Israel in this moment of trauma, particularly in a post-Oct. 7 world.”

The public was welcome to view the and inspect the ambulance, including a young red-headed child who posed for a photo while sitting in the back seat with a large smile across his face and who looked strikingly similar to Ariel Bibas, the 4-year-old Israeli hostage reported dead by Hamas earlier this month.

“It’s a powerful thing to see how our community come together,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson at the dedication ceremony. “We must do our part to take care of our brothers and sisters in Israel, especially in light of the devastation they continue to endure.”

Melissa Sigmond, CEO of the Riverdale Y, which helped coordinate the event, reflected on the broader importance of the initiative.

“We’re a community center, but we also have a global vision,” Sigmond added. Supporting MDA and sending this ambulance is a reflection of our values of caring and inclusivity.”

As the ambulance is set to be shipped to Israel, it will join MDA’s fleet which operate 24/7 while responding to medical emergencies, terror attacks and natural disasters. MDA's mission, supported by American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), helps to ensure that Israel’s first responders are equipped with the resources they need to continue their vital work.

“This ambulance is more than just a vehicle. It’s a symbol of hope, unity and the unbreakable bond between Riverdale and Israel,” Sigmond added.