John,

In the wake of this weekend's horrific and appalling terrorist attacks on Israel, many of us are asking what we can do to help.

The atrocities and violence we have witnessed against unarmed Israeli civilians -- women, children and elderly, murdered and kidnapped -- are almost too difficult to bear and demand a response.

In Israel, hundreds of thousands of reservists have left their jobs and their homes and reported for duty. Others have been lining up to donate blood.

As a longtime supporter of Magen David Adom (MDA) -- the Israeli Red Cross -- I'm stepping up my support for its lifesaving work, and I hope you will join me. If you do, I will match your contribution.

I have been supporting MDA since the 1990s and in 2011 helped dedicate a state-of-the-art EMS station in Jerusalem, which includes a modern blood donation center, in honor of my father, William, a special moment for our family.

MDA operates the country's ambulances and Medivac units, runs its emergency dispatch system, and trains its paramedics. And as the sole blood supplier for the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces), MDA is also a lifeline for all those who risk their lives for the freedom and security of the Israeli state.

Right now, MDA has a long list of needs, from life-saving equipment and mobile intensive care units, to blood testing kits and basic supplies for first responders. Given these and other urgent medical needs now facing the country, I hope you will consider joining me by making a matched contribution to support MDA:

https://afmda.org/bloomberg-match

Since the attacks began on Saturday, MDA's paramedics and volunteers have been working around the clock to save lives, performing dangerous and heroic work. MDA moved to its highest alert and activated every vehicle in its fleet with full crews to provide treatment and transport for the wounded.

As I write this, many families in Israel are mourning loved ones or searching for missing relatives. Many others are sheltering from rockets. We stand in solidarity with them and with the entire nation of Israel.

Together, we can help them -- and help the people of Israel defend and protect their freedom and security against terrorism.

-- Mike