Every year the Tishrei Yomim Tovim require MDA’s emergency services. Many of them struggle to call MDA teams in emergencies due to the lack of mobile phones in synagogues. Therefore, and in purpose of saving lives, the Chief Rabbi of Israel Dovid Lau Shlita, sent MDA a letter in which he asks to instruct all synagogues to keep a smartphone with the “My MDA” app installed in it, which will enable prayers easily call for help at a time of need. Following the Rabbi’s request, Magen David Adom calls all shuls to keep smartphones connected to a charger with the MDA app.

The “My MDA” mobile app allows prayers to call MDA in cases of emergency with a click of a button. During the call, which will be answered by the MDA EMTs and paramedics at the 101 dispatch center within 4 seconds, and the caller will be required to describe their medical state only, without providing any information such as their location and phone number. This dramatically cuts response times and will prevent Chilul Shabbos. This is enabled due to the app’s ability to broadcast data on the users’ location directly to the MDA dispatch center automatically upon use of the app.

In the letter, he sent to MDA Rabbi Lau wrote: “I would like to bless those who conceived the idea of creating the ‘My MDA’ app and ask shuls to keep mobile phones connected to this app in order help medical teams reach patients faster. ‘He who has saved one life, is as if he has saved a whole world’. May G-d let us go through these days in peace and in health, and bless us with a peaceful and quiet year.”

MDA Director General, Eli Bin: “Every year during the Jewish holidays, MDA teams around Israel provide lifesaving medical treatment to mispallalim in shuls. I join the Chief Rabbi of Israel, David Lau in his request to shuls to ensure a smartphone with the ‘My MDA’ is in reach, so they can call MDA easily at a time of need. Adhering to these instructions will contribute to saving lives and therefore is of utmost importance. I would also like to use this opportunity to wish everyone Shana Tova.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)