Honorees

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Year Honored
2012
Honoree
Bruce Mandel
Title
EMT
Agency
Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad
Agency City
Maplewood
Agency State
NJ
Last Call
10/3/11
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
To help others in need is considered a "mitzvah" or a religious duty to perform acts of human kindness. Bruce was a man who gave of himself in many ways to his community, friends, and family. In the 1980s he served in the elite forces of the Israeli Army and upon his return to the United States he continued to give of himself as an EMT, a true mitzvah.<br /> Bruce was a well-respected man in his community. He and his wife were active in their local congregation serving on the committee for its Spring Fling of the Young Leadership Division of United Jewish Communities of Metro-West New Jersey. He made his living doing what he loved as well. He was the proprietor of LifeShot, a CPR and first aid training company, as well as Kadima Solutions, a company that provided equipment for first responders. He often donated his time and equipment to teach lifesaving skills to members of the First Aid Squad and the community.<br /> <br /> On the scene of an emergency, Bruce was known for his "focused calm." No one was calmer, more reassuring, or more focused on the task at hand. His respect for everyone was obvious. He had a gift in his ability to teach and his ability of being an EMT. It was a calling to him. He was a natural teacher with a profound belief in and dedication to what he was doing. He believed anyone could join the calling.<br /> <br /> On October 3, 2011 Bruce and members of the Maplewood First Aid Squad had delivered a patient to an area hospital. While returning Bruce had informed the crew that he wasn't feeling well. The crew stopped at the Maplewood Fire Department to render aid. The members encouraged him to seek further assistance; Bruce went into cardiac arrest while en route to the hospital.<br /> <br /> A friend wrote: "There is a Jewish tradition about 36 righteous people - the lamed vovnik - whose role in life is to justify the purposes of humankind in the eyes of God. Their identities are unknown, even to each other, and of course, they are too humble to claim such a mantle. I am pretty sure Bruce was one of the lamed vovnik - an observation that would have prompted Bruce to smile and roll his eyes. But it's hard to imagine someone more completely realizing the ideals of righteousness and humility in a human life than Bruce did."<br /> <br /> Honored 2012