Sarah Bavly: October 18, 1900–1993

Sarah Bavly earned an M.S. in chemistry from the University of Amsterdam in 1925 and took an extra year to study nutrition and economics before immigrating to Palestine, where she taught nutrition and chemistry. Bavly became chief dietician for Hadassah’s five hospitals as well as its school lunch program in 1929. Over the next several years, she trained the public in proper nutrition, sent food to Haganah outposts and camps for new immigrants, and weathered riots and attacks in Jerusalem. In 1953 she established a College of Nutrition and Home Economics with a rigorous two-year program for teacher training and served as director and dean until her retirement in 1965. She was declared an honorary Citizen of Jerusalem in 1984 for her years of service.