Donating a MDA Ambulance in Memory of Staff Sergeant Omer Van Gelder z”l

A project led by Dr. Rose Bayer

While volunteering for Magen David Adom (MDA) in Israel, before attending medical school, Dr. Rose Bayer often stayed with the Van Gelder family. Their openness, warmth, courage, and commitment to helping those in need and saving lives left a deep impression on her.
Sergeant First Class Omer Van Gelder, a volunteer MDA emergency medical technician (EMT), was killed on June 2, 2025, in an IED blast in Jabalia. Omer, a resident of Ma'ale Adumim, began his journey with MDA as a youth volunteer in 2018 at the local MDA station in his city. He was 22 years old when he fell. Omer is survived by his parents, two brothers, a sister (who is also an MDA volunteer), and a partner.
Alongside his high school studies, Omer successfully completed an MDA first aid instructors' course in 2020, training and mentoring many new youth volunteers in the organization. After high school and during his studies at the Elisha preparatory academy, he continued with MDA, completing an emergency medical technician course and serving as a rapid response first responder. Omer was a prominent, beloved, and dedicated volunteer who touched, influenced, and saved the lives of many throughout his years of volunteering with MDA.
Omer's story is one of leadership, humor, kindness, and heroism. He saved lives, lifted others up, and guided the next generation of EMTs—including his own brothers and sisters. His legacy continues through all those he taught, treated, and inspired.
We invite you to support the commemoration of Omer by donating toward the purchase of an MDA ambulance. Join Dr. Bayer, Omer's community, and everyone who was touched by his light.

Please donate for the purchase of an ambulance in Omer's name for Magen David Adom. Donate now and save lives!