Community hero who fundraised for 14 ambulances given two honours by MDA

Retired surgeon Norman Rosenbaum was made honorary manager by the emergency service and vice president of the UK branch, in recognition of his lifetime of helping save lives

Norman and his wife Eve Rosenbaum with the latest MDA ambulance (Yakir Zur)

A retired surgeon who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for 14 ambulances in Israel has been honoured by Magen David Adom.

Norman Rosenbaum, 86, was made the emergency service in Israel’s Honorary Manager, and the UK branch’s vice president, in recognition of his lifetime of fundraising to save lives.

A stalwart supporter of MDA, he was recognised at Sopwell House, Hertfordshire, where he and his wife Eve dedicated their latest vehicle, named for Prince William.

All 14 of his ambulances, which cost between £60-80,000, have been crowdfunded through his local Cockfosters & N Southgate synagogue, making him and his local shul the third largest donor to MDA UK.

Speaking at the dedication, Magen David Adom UK Chief Executive, Daniel Burger, said, “We are forever indebted to Norman Rosenbaum for his outstanding commitment and dedication to fundraising for MDA UK. No one is more deserving of these honorary positions within the organisation, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than awarding these to Norman.”

On receiving the recognition, Norman Rosenbaum said: “I am overwhelmed by these honours. I feel it is my privilege to be able to help those in need, and am forever inspired by the lifesaving work carried out by Magen David Adom.”

In 2010, this newspaper teamed up with Rosenbaum and his synagogue to buy an MDA ambulance, which has attended more than 10,000 calls. He received the Points of Light Award from former Theresa May for his fundraising work in 2018 and was honoured at Jewish News’ Night of Heroes Awards.

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