Top American and Canadian Doctors Donate Time and Expertise to Israel

There are many kinds of giving. Money has the best reputation, but pure acts of generosity are valued above all else.

Last week I wrote about Amitai Ziv, who received the Charles Bronfman Prize as the founder and Director of the Israel Center for Medical Simulation, which helps reduce medical error and promote training simulations in medical communities.

Today we have even more proof of the importance of this effort.

Visiting Doctors Train in Israeli Emergency Medicine

Thirty top American and Canadian doctors will gather in Israel next week for a course in “Medical Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.”

The course trains visiting physicians in emergency medicine scenarios unique to war and disaster situations so that if Israeli doctors are called to the front lines of war, the doctors who are now training will be fully capable of taking their place in hospitals across the country.

This is a selfless act of giving to the people of Israel.

Dr. Mike Frogel, Vice President of American Physicians Fellows states:

“Israel has earned global respect for its incomparable emergency medical care. This has come at a dear price.

If we can help alleviate the strains of war-time health needs through this remarkable partnership with our Israeli colleagues, then we stand to both help the people of Israel in a critically important way and also draw immense satisfaction from our personal commitment…

The invaluable experience and lessons learned will also be applicable to Emergency Preparedness planning back home in the US and Canada.”

Sponsorship

The year 2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the program, which is sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Health, the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, and the American Physicians Fellowships (APF).

American Physicians Fellowships is a nonprofit foundation which supports American and Canadian doctors in receiving emergency medical training in Israel. It also maintains a list of medical volunteers on-call for Israel.

Assessing the Forward 50: What We Can Learn About Top American Jewish Philanthropists

The Foward 50’s annual list of movers and shakers in the American Jewish community is at once interesting, important, and expected. Few surprise entries made the cut, but the list is nonetheless mandatory reading for a Jewish community guide to 2007.

Calling for a New List

Before going on to assess the Forward’s choices, I do have to assert that it is time for a list that moves beyond the traditional bounds of American Jews over 40. Where are the Israelis? Where are the scientists? Where are the young people seeking to make a difference through innovative and daring projects that will forward the thinking of the global Jewish community?

One of my goals in the next year is to bring you these stories– those outside the confines of the United States’ Jewish communal system. We need to broaden our minds to consider the impact of Jews worldwide, not just those influencing the Jewish community.

Investing in Jews Globally

If we truly believe in the advancement of Jews worldwide, we will consider the actions and values of all Jews and not just those within our regimented boundaries. Jewish Israelis are making tremendous leaps and bounds in hi-tech, promoting alternative energies, and green investments.

To exclude progress like theirs because it benefits only Jews and not the Jewish community as a whole weakens our goals and ambitions as a Jewish people.

Providing Examples

While you are thinking about who should be included, take into the consideration of individuals I have mentioned recently, like:

• Tsvi Bisk
• Avichai Kremer
• Amitai Ziv, Alon Tal, and Jay Feinberg
• Daniel Sieradski
• and even Ronny Maman

The List: Who Made It and Who Did Not

Six philanthropists made the cut, composing a coveted 12% of the list. They were (in the order listed):

• Lynn Schusterman
• Michael Steinhardt
• Roger Bennett and Sharna Goldseker
• Robert Aronson
• Tad Taube

Philanthropic powerhouses Sheldon Adelson, George Soros, Ron Lauder, and Ruth Messinger were present in different categories.

I also want to mention those who readers suggested should be present in the comments section: Jay Schottenstein and Ricky Shechtel.

Let’s examine these choices further.

Charles Bronfman Prize for Humanitarian Action: Seeking a Better World

Charles Bronfman is a man with a vision. He seeks to improve the world through social action and community innovation.

We already know about the Jewish innovation contest at Brandeis, but do you know about the Charles Bronfman Prize for humanitarianism?

About the Prize

The Charles Bronfman Prize for humanitarian action is seeking nominations for 2008 from those whose “Jewish values infuse their humanitarian accomplishments.”

Eligible candidates will be individuals or teams under age 50 who have significantly contributed to the betterment of the world through science, technology, art, culture, education, and global citizenship.

In the four years since its inception, the Charles Bronfman Prize has recognized three outstanding individuals in the fields of medicine and the environment. Read about them below.

The Prize, whose nomination deadline is November 30th, is $100,000.

Who Could You Nominate?

In my work as an activist and professional in the Jewish and nonprofit worlds, I have met people doing some amazing work.

As you read about the prize recipients in the sections that follow, I encourage you to think about who you could nominate. Who do you know who is significantly impacting the world around them? (Nomination forms are available on the Prize’s website.)

I look forward to hearing who is on your mind.