An Incredible night of Mediterranean delights and CMDA appreciation in Calgary

(AJNews) – A recent CMDA gala evening in Calgary celebrated donors, supporters, and good friends.

What a night!  This year’s annual CMDA spring gala was not only a sensation for the senses, but a heartfelt celebration of community caring, support and Am Israel Chai. More than 400 guests packed the Carriage House Conference Centre for a fabulous sold-out Israeli themed evening. That included a one-of-a-kind Israeli and Mediterranean Kosher food menu and fabulous live entertainment and artistic demonstrations. But it was not all celebration, as guests heard firsthand-accounts and saw videos from the October 7^th massacre. They also heard stories of Magen David Adom (MDA) heroism which brought home why it was important to celebrate and say thank-you to the Calgary and Western Canadian CMDA Major Donors and supporters.

“We wanted to do something that celebrated Israeli culture and say thank you to our supporters,” says Sharon Fraiman, the tireless and inspirational CMDA Western Region Director, “But at the same time, it was really important to remind ourselves of the reality that MDA responders faced on October 7 and continue to face today.”

Fraiman, whose dedicated team of volunteers – including family – planned and executed the entire event, was the evening’s Emcee. There was a host of elected officials, sponsors, supporters, and special guests attending including Sidney Benizri the National Executive Director of CMDA.

As well as the fabulous dinner, guests were entertained by the song stylings of Israeli musical sensation, Dor Shimon, a real showman, and a runner-up on the TV series Rising Star to Eurovision. The ever-versatile Calgary violinist Steven Klevsky played a terrific variety of upbeat tunes and tradition favorites. There was also a surprise performance by live sand show artist, Andrii Pesochnyi.

During the evening, Fraiman told stories from first-hand accounts and played videos of the horrors of October 7, and how MDA paramedics, their ambulances and facilities were targeted by Hamas. She led a moment of silence in honour of Israeli medics killed in the war. “In less than a week, nearly thirty MDA paramedics and EMTs were killed by Hamas just for doing their jobs. Sixteen ambulances have been destroyed and supplies are being used up at alarming rates. MDA is incurring costs in excess of $350,000 per day to keep up with the emergency needs around Israel,” said Fraiman.

A CMDA trophy was presented to Bobby Libin who is a great CMDA supporter. The Katz family donated a Medical Scooter and were honoured on the stage for Benny Katz’ 95th birthday.

“It was a great honour to have Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas of Alberta, as our main speaker,” said Fraiman. “We also had the pleasure to host Councillor Dan McLean who represents Ward 13 on Calgary City Council and he was an excellent greeter at the CMDA event, Dan has been a great CMDA supporter for the past 4 years.”

A special ambulance donation was received by Lenny Shapiro to honour his wife Faigel for her 90th birthday. “Lenny is a role model to us all,” said Fraiman. “Lenny, our former CMDA chairman, is a long-time supporter; he thinks that there is nothing more important than saving lives in Israel. In addition to the ambulance donation, Lenny decided to take the life saving boat project upon himself to help save lives in the sea of Galilee. He is a true inspiration.”