Hendon rabbi’s daughter saves teacher’s life in Israel

A UK-born Israeli, who recently made aliyah, has been credited for saving the life of teacher.

Batya Tugendhaft, 20, originally from Hendon, who is a Magen David Adom EMT (emergency medical technician) and trainer, was teaching first aid to pupils in a school in Jaffa, when a teacher began choking on some food.

Following the protocol she had learnt from MDA, Batya sprang into action and performed an emergeny procedure, saving the teacher’s life.

Batya, who is the daughter of Rabbi Dovid Tugendhaft of the Nishmas Yisroel congregation in Hendon, said that the incident had occurred when she was teaching the pupils about resuscitation.

“I had just begun my class…Suddenly a teacher walks into the classroom holding her throat, not breathing properly. I thought she was joking as someone from MDA was here and maybe she was trying to give an example to the kids. Then I realised she was serious and that she wasn’t breathing properly at all.”

Batya sent all the kids out of the classroom, ordered an ambulance and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on her. “I immediately followed the protocol I had learned at MDA. Thank Gd something immediately came out of her mouth, and she began to breathe better. I'm glad I was there to help and prevent a disaster."

She then sat with the teacher for a few minutes, who said she no longer needed an ambulance.

Rabbi Tugendhaft said afterwards: "We feel very privileged that our daughter is spending her time volunteering for MDA, saving lives in Eretz Yisrael. We thank Hashem that she was in the right place at the right time and by having the fantastic training by MDA she had such presence of mind at this crucial time."

Joshua Diamond, director of fundraising for MDA UK, said: “Volunteering is the bedrock of Magen David Adom’s life-saving work in Israel, with over 90 per cent of the organisation being volunteers.

"We are so proud of the British community - whether they be gap year students, summer interns or olim - who give their time to support Israeli society with MDA. In these difficult times, examples such as Batya’s heroic efforts demonstrate how MDA is the very best of Israel.”

Magen David Adom in Israel praised Batya’s resourcefulness and emphasised the importance of first aid training for the general public.