In 2019, Michal Sela was murdered by her husband in their home, in the presence of their infant daughter. Her sister Lily Ben-Ami responded by founding the Michal Sela Forum, a nonprofit that uses technology to fight domestic violence. Each year, the Forum runs a hackathon challenging teams to build tools that could save lives.
This app was built in her memory.
A beloved mother, daughter, and friend. Michal's story sparked a movement. The forum bearing her name has since brought together hundreds of technologists and creatives committed to making sure what happened to her cannot happen to others.
I knew Michal a little. Both in Nachshon, me a year ahead. We crossed paths through open Shabbats for prospective students, and because she dated someone from my class. I remember her as this light, delicate person. Not just a name on a cause. A real person who was here, and then wasn't.
Safe & Sound is a hidden emergency app activated only by the sound of your voice. It silently notifies predefined contacts with your location and situation, giving someone in danger a way to call for help without making a sound.
After three days of Zoom sessions and almost no sleep, we won second place.