Empowering Women: Sharon Fraiman reflects on her work at Canadian Magen David Adom

By AJNews staff

(AJNews) – Sharon Fraiman is an inspirational woman who is a shining example of Jewish professional leadership in Alberta. She is Western Region Director of Canadian Magen David Adom (CMDA) and her dedication and work ethic is unmistakable. Central to Sharon’s commitment to her job is her belief “that there is nothing more important than saving lives in Israel and around the world.”

Sharon appreciates and respects the people she works with.

“My job is so gratifying to me,” she said. “We are maintaining great relationships and wonderful friendships. Behind every donor, volunteer and supporter there is a story worth hearing and a world of experience and knowledge.”

Magen David Adom is Israel’s only EMS and blood services organization, made up of paramedics, nurses, technicians, and thousands upon thousands of volunteers, playing a vital role in ensuring the continuity and prosperity of the country. Since 1976, CMDA has been the sole authorized fund-raising organization in Canada dedicated to supplying ambulances, medical equipment, supplies and blood testing kits to support the lifesaving efforts of MDA in Israel.

Sharon was born and raised in Israel. She came to Canada 7 years ago and has two children – ages 27 and 25. She was a special education teacher in Israel for 25 years; she also worked for the Ministry of Education and won a National award for her work. Sharon has three MAs in education, sociology, and special needs education. She also has a BA in executive management.

Today, Sharon is a proud Calgarian and Rotarian. As Western Region Director for CMDA, she provides leadership and support to the chapters in Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. She arranges humanitarian action for relief efforts all over the world and raises funds for medical equipment for MDA. She is also responsible for the 7 minutes program around the Western Region.

Sharon is proud of her achievements especially during these past few years. “The Western Region has been one of the most challenging,” said Fraiman. “The economic situation and the recession hasn’t helped and we faced so many challenges with hard work, great commitment and clear vision. It’s all about innovation and change in the philanthropy world.”

“I built a new curriculum for fund raising, discovering potential donors and creating a huge awareness,” she added. “We had meetings on zoom and faced Covid with a great determination.”

Sharon said that the people around her are all like family to her.

“All my donors, supporters and volunteers mean the world to me,” she concluded. “CMDA in the Western Region is one big family and it works because we truly believe that there is nothing more important than saving lives in Israel and around the world.”