Block party proceeds to benefit Israeli EMTs

The sound of music accompanied the smell of falafels and challah as community members gathered in Dunn Meadow for the 2011 Israelpalooza Block Party.

The annual event was put on by Hoosiers for Israel, an Israeli advocacy group that’s part of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center.

Every year, a different organization is chosen to benefit from Israelpalooza, said Ilana Nadel, program director for Hillel. Magen David Adom, the only EMT service in Israel, was this year’s cause.

“Even though it’s the only EMT service there, it’s very underfunded by the government,” Nadel said. “They are actually the only ones allowed to do it. They really rely on volunteers.”

Israeli ambulances were at the event, and former Magen David Adom volunteer Seth Gildenbaltt spoke about his three-month stint in 2003 in Tiberias.

“We were in a less intense area, but it was still tough with some of the things you saw,” he said.

Along with regular EMT calls, Gildenbaltt said he dealt with a hit and run and multiple terrorist attacks, some involving bombs.

Gildenbaltt was a first responder for Magen David Adom but had also served in the military.

“They are completely separate,” he said. “The whole Magen David Adom is supported by volunteers from all over the world really.”

Thursday’s block party ended a week full of events that made up Israelpalooza. Other events included a night of the Israeli martial art, Krav Maga and a discussion titled “Israel and the GLBT Community.”

“This is the first year it was turned into a weeklong event,” Nadel said.

Along with free food, a shuk (Hebrew for “market”) sold various items to benefit Magen David Adom, and henna was offered in one of the tents. There were also activities for the kids, including a huge inflatable bouncy slide.

Rena Forester, a freshman majoring in elementary education, is a member of Hoosiers for Israel and attended the block party.

“I joined (Hoosiers for Israel) because I was involved with similar groups in high school and for the awesome leadership skills,” she said. “I’m having so much fun tonight. It’s great to see so many people here.”