Fall 2015 Hard

Bulletin
Fall 2015
■ WHO WE ARE
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and
commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel. It enhances the health of people worldwide through
its support of medical care and research at the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. Hadassah empowers its
members and supporters, as well as youth in Israel and America through opportunities for personal growth, education,
advocacy and Jewish continuity.
Dear Boston Chapter Members,
I
hope you have had a wonderful summer and are ready for the busy season ahead.
As I write this I am energized from the Annual Hadassah National Business Meeting
and Symposium in Philadelphia I attended in July. It was an exciting gathering where
we met with colleagues and learned about issues of importance to Hadassah, including
research, advocacy, and our various projects in Israel and at home. I hope to share
what I have learned with you in the coming months. The news is promising. The
emergency rooms and surgery theaters of our Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower
in Jerusalem will open shortly. Though the 19-story building’s designation as the “tower”
is accurate, five key floors housing the ERs and surgery units are underground, for
maximum security in a region where security is often threatened.
Varda E. Farber,
Hadassah Boston
President
“I urge you to join me, the
women of our chapter, and
Hadassah Northeast, to enjoy
that collaborative spirit, to
learn from and with others,
and to feel the power of
women who do.”
Area Contact
Information
Hadassah Northeast
1320 Centre Street, Suite 205
Newton Centre, MA 02459
ph (781) 455-9055
fax (857) 404-0599
hne@hadassah.org
Hadassah Boston
President: Varda E. Farber
vfarber@hadassah.org
Hadassah Northern New England
President: Carole Greenfield
cgreenfield@hadassah.org
Hadassah Southern New England
President: Susan Shikora
sshikora@hadassah.org
Hadassah Upper Mid-Atlantic
President: Janet Deixler
jdeixler@hadassah.org
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The Power of Women Who Heal has always been a centerpiece of our agenda. This
continues at Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), as we treat one million patients a
year without regard to race, religion, or nationality. Breakthroughs in medical research
keep Hadassah as a world leader in medical research with new partnerships with US
hospitals. There have also been changes that focus on improving and stabilizing HMO
financially through a recovery plan that has resulted in greater efficiencies, a stronger
HMO board and improved hospital practices.
Electing our leadership was an important part of the meeting. On January 1, 2016,
Ellen Hershkin, our new National president, will take over for Marcie Natan, who has
been serving as president since 2011.
‫ כולנו ביחד‬Kulanu b’yachad are the words Ellen used as she addressed those of us at
the National Business Meeting. All of us, together, will further the mission of Hadassah,
here in the US, in Israel, and around the world. That means each of us is a needed,
valued, and important part of Hadassah’s work to bring about tikkun olam, repair
of the world. “I am energized to continue Hadassah’s critical work in saving lives
through ground-breaking medical research at the Hadassah Medical Organization,
and in empowering Jewish women to be leaders by addressing today’s most relevant
issues,” said the president-elect.
I urge you to join me, the women of our chapter, and Hadassah Northeast, to enjoy
that collaborative spirit, to learn from and with others, and to feel the power of
women who do. Take a look at the calendar of upcoming events for opportunities
to mix, mingle and learn with other Hadassah women.
‫ כולנו ביחד‬Kulanu b’yachad There’s strength in numbers, in terms of advocacy, to urge
our legislators to further causes that we hold dear. You have the chance to add to
Hadassah’s strength and our numbers by giving the gift of a free annual membership,
now through December 31, 2015. Do you have a friend, a family member, or a
colleague whom you feel would like to be connected to other women who are
passionate about Zionism and improving the health and well-being of others? Would
she enjoy the opportunity for personal growth, education, advocacy, and Jewish
continuity? She would be an asset to Hadassah. Go to hadassah.org/gift or contact
our membership team and they will welcome her to Hadassah.
Enjoy perusing this bulletin to see the many activities that Boston Hadassah women
have been enjoying over the summer and to read about upcoming programs,
including our Walk for Health and Opening Program in September.
‫ כולנו ביחד‬Kulanu b’yachad. As we prepare to stand together to hear the sound of the
shofar, welcoming 5776, I wish each of you, and those dear to you, a sweet, happy,
and healthy new year. Shana tova u’metukah ‫!שנה טובה ומתוקה‬
B’shalom, ‫בשלום‬
Varda E. Farber
Hadassah Boston President
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE
An Evening with Author Naomi Ragen
Monday, November 2, 2015
Join us to hear Naomi Ragen discuss her tenth novel,
The Devil in Jerusalem. The story – inspired by true
events – begins with two brothers admitted to
Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital with horrific injuries
while their mother, a young American, devoutly
recites Psalms at the bedside and refuses to answer
any questions. The Devil in Jerusalem is a chilling tale
of the paths that so easily lead us astray, and the
darkness within us all.
Co-sponsored by Hadassah Northeast and
Temple Emanuel Sisterhood in Newton, Mass.
More details to follow.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday Evening, November 21, 2015
A Hadassah Northeast Concert
with a special reception for
Keepers of the Gate
featuring Jewish music
and more performed by...
Rosalie Gerut, Hankus Netsky
and Friends
Me'ah: A Gendered
Lens on Jewish History
Gann Academy
333 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452
More details to come!
Offered in partnership with the Jewish Women's Archive and Hadassah
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:30 p.m., beginning October 13, 2015
Jewish Women's Archive, One Harvard Street, Brookline
This special course will explore Jewish history from biblical through modern times with
particular attention to women's experiences and the role of gender in Jewish life and thought.
Me’ah (Hebrew for 100) comprises 100 hours of class time, divided into four semesters over
two years: Bible and Rabbinics in the first year, and Medieval and Modern Jewish History
in the second.
For more information: meah@hebrewcollege.edu • hebrewcollege.edu/meah
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NATIONAL
NEWS
Give us a year . . .
Experience the
New Hadassah
Give a free annual
membership to
someone new.
Share our power.
the power of women who DOTM
Gift online @ hadassah.org/gift or
complete Gift Enrollment Form or
call 800-664-5646.
Hadassah Missions to Israel
S
tart packing. Hadassah missions offer unforgettable journeys through
Israel, whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced Israel traveler.
Visit Israel soon: it’s fun, surprising, impressive, inspiring and spiritual.
You will come home refreshed and renewed.
October 8 - 19, 2015
October 28 - November 7, 2015
Takin' it Easy
Israel Mission
led by Marlene Kaplan,
Darlene and
Norman Padnos
Stop and savor every experience as
you move at a leisurely, less physically
demanding pace.
A Unique Trip by Land
and Sea: Mission to Israel
with Optional Rome and
Cruise Extension
led by Sophie Gottlieb
See Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the
Eshkol Region, then continue on
for an optional visit to Rome and
optional trans-Atlantic cruise.
October 11 - 21, 2015
Hadassah Southern
California: The People
& Passion of Israel
led by Sandi Sadikoff
Experience the tapestry of our
homeland as we explore ancient ruins
and modern industries. Volunteer
at an IDF base and, in the Hula Valley,
observe the annual migration of birds
from all over the world.
December 2 - 14, 2015
Central Pacific Coast
Discovery Mission
led by Sandy Sidorsky
Share the wonders of
Hadassah and Israel as we visit
Hadassah Medical Organization and
Meir Shfeya youth village. See the
historical sites of Jerusalem, Safed,
Rosh Pina and Tel Aviv while also
experiencing modern day Israel.
October 18 - 28, 2015
FREE Annual Membership
Life Members or Associates can
give the gift of membership.
Present this priceless gift to:
Hadassah Associates:
Modern Life in
an Ancient Land
led by Jeff Richardson
and Fern Tannenbaum
Explore Israeli history, politics,
security and technology as you travel
through Israel's glorious past and
innovative future on an Associates
Mission like no other.
For additional information:
800-237-1517 or
hadassah.org/missions
Check out exciting 2016
missions to Cuba, Poland, Israel
and Amsterdam at
http://www.ayelet.com/hadassah.html
• Guests at events
• Friends and family
• Prominent women
in your community
Offer valid July 1 - December 31, 2015
Call 800-664-5646 or visit hadassah.org/gift
for more information.
The gifting campaign offer is from July 1 December 31, 2015. Only current Hadassah Life
Members and Associates are eligible to take
advantage of this offer to gift a membership. The
gifted member must be a U.S. resident and at least
17 years old. The gift membership is only valid
for a new member and cannot be used to renew
annual membership. The gifted membership is an
annual membership and runs for one year from
the date of enrollment of the gifted membership.
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Hadassah National Convention
All are welcome
Mazal Tov Ellen Hershkin!
Delegates at Hadassah's National Business Meeting in
Philadelphia have elected Ellen Hershkin the 26th National
President. She will succeed Marcie Natan on January 1, 2016.
E
llen will be Hadassah’s 26th national president and will
lead our 300,000-member organization through its early
second century, overseeing Hadassah's renowned efforts in
the areas of groundbreaking medical research, support for
Israel, public advocacy and leadership.
As Hadassah continues to evolve, Ellen will be instrumental in
guiding the organization through challenging circumstances
and setting and achieving aggressive programing and financial
goals. She will also play a vital role in attracting new women
to join and advance the organization and in supporting the
lifesaving research and care provided at Hadassah's two
world-renowned hospitals and research center in Israel.
Ellen is currently Coordinator of the PRAZE (Programming,
Advocacy, Zionism and Education) Division. She joined
Hadassah in 1973 and has held numerous leadership positions
throughout the 42 years since then – including National Vice
President, National Secretary, National Chair of Membership Outreach,
National Coordinator of Young Judaea, and many others.
Ellen studied speech and education at Hofstra University and Jewish
studies through a program of the Melton School of Jewish Education/
Hebrew University. She was a travel consultant for 20 years and
specialized in Israel travel.
In accepting the honor, Ellen thanked Marcie Natan for her "tireless
commitment, devotion and leadership to Hadassah" and said she is
"humbled and energized to continue Hadassah's critical work."
Hadassah National President-elect
Ellen Hershkin and current Hadassah
National President Marcie Natan
Outgoing National
President Marcie Natan,
whose term ends
December 31, 2015,
led the organization
for four years,
negotiating the historic
agreement between the
Government of Israel,
Hadassah Medical
Organization and
HWZOA and
advocating on key
issues of national
importance.
Hadassah National Board members
congratulate Hadassah National Presidentelect Ellen Hershkin upon her election.
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Calendar Fall 2015
D E CE MBE R
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER
Boston Chapter
6
7
L A B O R D AY
9
Board Meeting at 7:00 pm HNE Office
14
ROSH HASHANA (NEW YEAR)
15
ROSH HASHANA II
16
TZOM GEDALIAH
20
Hadassah Northeast Walk at Chestnut Hill Reservoir,
Cleveland Circle, Brighton; Registration at 1:30 pm.; walk at 2:00 pm
23
YOM KIPPUR
28
SUKKOT I
29
SUKKOT II
30
S U K K O T I I I / Opening Meeting at 7:30 pm,
Temple Beth Avodah, Newton Centre
1
SUKKOT IV
2
SUKKOT V
3
SUKKOT VI
4
SUKKOT VII/HOSHANAH RABAH
5
S H M I N I AT Z E R E T/S I M C H AT TO R A H
12
C O L U M B U S D AY
13
Salon Series on Wise Aging 1:00-2:30 pm at HNE Office
(bi-weekly/6 wks)/Board Meeting at 7:00 pm at HNE Office
13
Me’ah Course begins (weekly) 7:00-9:30 pm
21
HNE Panel on Domestic Violence at Temple Emunah, Lexington
28
Henrietta Szold Group Opening Meeting,
1:30 pm at 1550 Beacon Street, Brookline
31
HALLOWEEN
1
Daylight Saving Time ends
2
Salon Series featuring author of Devil in
Jerusalem Naomi Ragen, Temple Emanuel, Newton
11
V E T E R A N S D AY
14
Advocacy Conference at the Jewish Federation in Albany, NY
15
Advocacy Conference at the Jewish Federation in Albany, NY
16
Board Meeting at 7:00 pm HNE Office
19
Salon Series with author Tilia Klebnov Jacobs speaking on
“Jewish Characters in Literature,” 12:00–1:30 pm at HNE Office
21
Hadassah Northeast Concert and Keepers of the Gate Reception
at Gann Academy, Waltham
26
THANKSGIVING
7
H A N U K K A H 1 ( H O L I D AY O F L I G H T S )
8
HANUKKAH II
19
HANUKKAH III
10
H A N U K K A H I V / Board Meeting at 7:00 pm, HNE Office
11
HANUKKAH V
12
HANUKKAH VI/ROSH CHODESH TEVET
13
HANUKKAH VII
14
HANUKKAH VIII
24
CHRISTMAS EVE
25
CHRISTMAS
31
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Sizzling Summer
Social with
Boston Hadassah
Friends
A big thank you to everyone who
joined Hadassah Boston for the
Sizzling Summer Social this past
July in New Seabury, Mass! Once
again demonstrating The Power
of Women Who Do, the women
raised enough money to purchase
an infusion pump for an operating
room in the Sarah Wetsman
Davidson Hospital Tower. The
weather made for a perfect
Cape day, with breathtaking views
of boaters and kayaks set against
blue skies from Judy Miller's
seaside deck. Guest speaker
Dr. Ruth Nemzoff was informative,
delightful and engaging. An
anonymous donor provided a
matching gift of $2,500, and the
group raised well above the
expected goal! Everyone had a
wonderful morning celebrating
Hadassah friendships!
Hadassah Boston members
Mady Donoff, Linda Cohen
and Noreen Goldwasser
Hadassah Boston Welcomed
New Members at Paint Bar Social
Hadassah Boston welcomed new
members to their chapter by
hosting a special social at The
Paint Bar in Newtonville, Mass.
this past July. Attendees left
with a unique creation and new
Hadassah friends. In addition,
free annual memberships were
gifted to five new members
who joined Hadassah Boston
that evening.
Meet Hadassah Boston,
New Members since
January 2014
We welcome you to Hadassah
and look forward to getting to
know you!
NEW ANNUAL MEMBERS
Sheila Berenson
Norma Chase
Debbie DeBotton
Florence Halperin
Ashley Kochanek
Rosalyn Kramer
Barbara Osband
Robin Pruss
Vardit Ringvach
When You Shop at
The Butcherie,
Hadassah Benefits
When you bring your stamped Butcherie receipts
to Hadassah Boston, The Butcherie returns a
percentage of the receipts back to the chapter.
It is an easy grassroots fundraising project.
The mailing address for receipts is:
Hadassah Boston
1320 Centre Street, Suite 205
Newton Center, MA 02459
Attention: The Butcherie
NEW LIFE MEMBERS
Rivka Baronofsky
Wilma Benjamin
Melissa Chaikof
Kayla Dines
Vivienne Greenstein
Miriam Halperin Maya
Melissa Jacobs
PAID
Shoshana Kessel
Kendra Klein Mascia
Teri Krassan
Amanda Kulick
Deborah Lushan
YOUR EMAIL PLEASE . . .
One Lucky Member Wins a Fitbit®
While Hadassah is excited to launch a series of hard
copy newsletters to be distributed via mail every
fall, winter and spring, the majority of news will be
communicated on a monthly basis through email.
If you are not receiving our emails, please send us
your full name, chapter, phone number and email to
Hadassah Northeast at hne@hadassah.org and be
entered in a raffle to win a Fitbit.
Sophia Nyokabi-Perlmutter
Leah Reich
Raina Rothschild
Susan Servais
Emma Wantman
Joyce Wishnick
We also welcome new Hadassah
Boston members who have
transferred from other regions.
7
1320 Centre Street, Suite 205
Newton Centre, MA 02459
www.hadassah.org
(781) 455.9055
hne@hadassah.org
S AV E T H E DAT E
Girlfriends Take Heart!
A Women’s Heart Health Program
Presented by Hadassah Boston
Please mark your calendars for Hadassah Boston’s Opening Meeting, “Girlfriends Take Heart!
A Women’s Heart Health Program” on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at Temple Beth Avodah
45 Puddingston Lane, Newton Centre at 7:30 p.m.
Hadassah Boston is pleased to announce guest speaker Dr. Malissa Wood, who is co-director of
the Corrigan Women’s Heart Health Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant
professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. In addition, Valerie Lowenstein, past president
of Hadassah Boston, will share her own personal journey with heart disease. Healthy refreshments
will be served.
✃
RSVP by filling out and mailing the form below.
Girlfriends Take Heart! A Women’s Heart Health Program
Name
Please enclose a check payable
to Hadassah or call the office at
781-455-9055 to register.
Giving suggestions:
Mailing Address
Registration: $18
Phone and Email
Walk: $36
Sprint: $54
Mail to: Hadassah Northeast, 1320 Centre Street, Suite 205, Newton Centre, MA 02459
Run: $72
Other: ______________