Greetings to all our wonderful Keepers of the Gate from Susan Musicant Shikora in Sharon, Massachusetts and Dana Waxler in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, the National Annual Giving Co-Chairs, and from Linda Freedman Block in Houston, Texas, National Keepers of the Gate Chair. We are delighted to welcome you to our first Keepers of the Gate eNewsletter!

We are excited to tell you about Keepers of the Gate activities around the country, to highlight some of our generous donors, and to thank you. You are so important to Hadassah! Did you realize that all the Keepers in the country donated a combined $4,500,000 last year? Your donations made groundbreaking research and lifesaving operations possible. Your contributions provided hundreds of at-risk children at our Youth Aliyah Villages an excellent education, a roof over their heads, good nutrition, and a lot of love and guidance from their counsellors and teachers. You also provided scholarships for children to attend Young Judaea camps all over the country.

Todah rabah to each of you. We rely on your generosity year after year. You are not only the Keepers of the Gate: you are also the Keepers of the Future!

We look forward to the day when we can say thank you face to face — and chances are we will give you a hug, too!

B’shalom,

Susan, Dana, and Linda

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Greetings to all our wonderful Keepers of the Gate from Susan Musicant Shikora in Sharon, Massachusetts and Dana Waxler in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, the National Annual Giving Co-Chairs, and from Linda Freedman Block in Houston, Texas, National Keepers of the Gate Chair. We are delighted to welcome you to our first Keepers of the Gate eNewsletter!

We are excited to tell you about Keepers of the Gate activities around the country, to highlight some of our generous donors, and to thank you. You are so important to Hadassah! Did you realize that all the Keepers in the country donated a combined $4,500,000 last year? Your donations made groundbreaking research and lifesaving operations possible. Your contributions provided hundreds of at-risk children at our Youth Aliyah Villages an excellent education, a roof over their heads, good nutrition, and a lot of love and guidance from their counsellors and teachers. You also provided scholarships for children to attend Young Judaea camps all over the country.

Todah rabah to each of you. We rely on your generosity year after year. You are not only the Keepers of the Gate: you are also the Keepers of the Future!

We look forward to the day when we can say thank you face to face — and chances are we will give you a hug, too!

B’shalom,

Susan, Dana, and Linda

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Please enjoy this uplifting video by the sensational a cappella group Six13 celebrating our 25th year of Keepers of the Gate. Make sure to download this video to view at your next Keepers of the Gate event!

Watch Our Video

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Please enjoy this uplifting video by the sensational a cappella group Six13 celebrating our 25th year of Keepers of the Gate. Make sure to download this video to view at your next Keepers of the Gate event!

Watch Our Video

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Since 1996, Keepers of the Gate has been Hadassah’s premier Annual Giving program, raising over $75 million to date to ensure that Hadassah's life-changing and life-saving programs continue year after year.

Today, over 3,100 Keepers across the U.S. proudly wear the David's Harp pin and recognize the positive impact of what an Annual Gift means to the work of Hadassah. We welcome new Keepers to join this special group of women and men.

Will YOU be our next Silver Keeper?

In honor of the Keepers of the Gate 25th Silver Anniversary, we have created a new Keepers giving level — Silver Keeper — for an annual gift of $2,500. Traditional Keepers gifts begin at $1,000 annually; Chai Keeper starts at $1,800 annually, and our Golden Keepers begin at $5,000 annually. Of course, our beautiful David’s Harp pin is also available for each level for an additional one-time donation.*

You may step up your existing giving level or learn more about a new gift on our website or by contacting our Annual Giving team at annualgiving@hadassah.org or 800.928.0685.

*Each level is eligible to make an additional donation to receive a distinctive David’s Harp pin or pendant for their giving level (Fair Market Value of jewelry $110-$680).

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Since 1996, Keepers of the Gate has been Hadassah’s premier Annual Giving program, raising over $75 million to date to ensure that Hadassah's life-changing and life-saving programs continue year after year.

Today, over 3,100 Keepers across the U.S. proudly wear the David's Harp pin and recognize the positive impact of what an Annual Gift means to the work of Hadassah. We welcome new Keepers to join this special group of women and men.

Will YOU be our next Silver Keeper?

In honor of the Keepers of the Gate 25th Silver Anniversary, we have created a new Keepers giving level — Silver Keeper — for an annual gift of $2,500. Traditional Keepers gifts begin at $1,000 annually; Chai Keeper starts at $1,800 annually, and our Golden Keepers begin at $5,000 annually. Of course, our beautiful David’s Harp pin is also available for each level for an additional one-time donation.*

You may step up your existing giving level or learn more about a new gift on our website or by contacting our Annual Giving team at annualgiving@hadassah.org or 800.928.0685.

*Each level is eligible to make an additional donation to receive a distinctive David’s Harp pin or pendant for their giving level (Fair Market Value of jewelry $110-$680).

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It's amazing how one single idea can make a world of difference! In the spring of 1996, Hadassah's National Fundraising Department asked the Florida Atlantic Region to develop a project that would raise funds for much needed equipment for the Hadassah Ein Kerem Trauma Center. A group of dedicated Hadassah women met and the idea for Keepers of the Gate was born! On November 20, 1996, the first Keepers of the Gate event was held at the Delaire Country Club in Del Ray, Florida. Leona Brauser, z'l, was the first chair. Leona was a visionary whose passion for Keepers of the Gate was contagious. Due to her efforts, 81 women became Keepers of the Gate and $87,000 was raised that first year.

By the second year, 220 Keepers of the Gate raised $230,000. Members of the Miami Region, Valley of the Sun Chapter (Desert Mountain Region), and Hadassah Southern California also participated. Cindy Schwartz was hired as the first Keepers of the Gate Director. During the next several years, under the leadership of Leona Brauser, many more regions joined in. By 2000, Keepers of the Gate reached its first milestone of raising $1,000,000!

Today, Keepers of the Gate is part of the Annual Giving Department and raises over $4.5 million dollars every year.  Keepers of the Gate proudly wear their David's Harp pin as a symbol of their steadfast annual commitment to Hadassah, helping Hadassah carry out our mission.

It's amazing how one single idea can make a world of difference! In the spring of 1996, Hadassah's National Fundraising Department asked the Florida Atlantic Region to develop a project that would raise funds for much needed equipment for the Hadassah Ein Kerem Trauma Center. A group of dedicated Hadassah women met and the idea for Keepers of the Gate was born! On November 20, 1996, the first Keepers of the Gate event was held at the Delaire Country Club in Del Ray, Florida. Leona Brauser, z'l, was the first chair. Leona was a visionary whose passion for Keepers of the Gate was contagious. Due to her efforts, 81 women became Keepers of the Gate and $87,000 was raised that first year.

By the second year, 220 Keepers of the Gate raised $230,000. Members of the Miami Region, Valley of the Sun Chapter (Desert Mountain Region), and Hadassah Southern California also participated. Cindy Schwartz was hired as the first Keepers of the Gate Director. During the next several years, under the leadership of Leona Brauser, many more regions joined in. By 2000, Keepers of the Gate reached its first milestone of raising $1,000,000!

Today, Keepers of the Gate is part of the Annual Giving Department and raises over $4.5 million dollars every year.  Keepers of the Gate proudly wear their David's Harp pin as a symbol of their steadfast annual commitment to Hadassah, helping Hadassah carry out our mission.

I joined Hadassah in 1979. I didn't become active because of other commitments, until the early 2000's, when I began to accept leadership roles for my Wilmington, Delaware, chapter board. As my involvement grew, so did my commitment to supporting Hadassah’s work. I served as chapter president from 2005-07, then was asked to join the board of the Northern Seaboard Region. In 2012, Hadassah’s 100th Anniversary, I accepted the Presidency of the Northern Seaboard Region.  After serving 3 years as region president, I joined the National Annual Giving Team as Liaison for the Mid-Atlantic area. This has been an incredible chance for me to work with Hadassah members and volunteers nationally and throughout the Mid-Atlantic area.

Annual Giving is a wonderful opportunity for many of our members to support Hadassah's vital programs, while helping to provide Hadassah with a known annual income stream.  I have been a Traditional ($1000 annually) Keeper of the Gate for the last 15 years. Being a Keeper allows me to demonstrate to the world how important Hadassah’s work is to me.  As a Keeper, I am proud to support Israel, our hospitals with their groundbreaking medical advances, youth programs, and advocacy for women's rights. I know that my annual Keepers gift, when combined with similar gifts from other Annual Givers across the country, helps make much of Hadassah's work possible.

This year, Hadassah has introduced a new $2500 Keepers level. This new level is called "Silver Keeper of the Gate," in honor of the silver anniversary. When I heard about this new level for the incredible 25th Anniversary milestone, I didn't hesitate for a moment to join in!  To my amazement, I learned that I became the very first Silver Keeper in the country. I encourage other Hadassah Annual Givers to join me as a Silver Keeper, to help Hadassah expand our programs, in keeping with Henrietta Szold’s vision: ”Make my eyes look to the future.”

Rhoda S. Dombchik
Annual Giving Liaison for Mid Atlantic Area

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I joined Hadassah in 1979. I didn't become active because of other commitments, until the early 2000's, when I began to accept leadership roles for my Wilmington, Delaware, chapter board. As my involvement grew, so did my commitment to supporting Hadassah’s work. I served as chapter president from 2005-07, then was asked to join the board of the Northern Seaboard Region. In 2012, Hadassah’s 100th Anniversary, I accepted the Presidency of the Northern Seaboard Region.  After serving 3 years as region president, I joined the National Annual Giving Team as Liaison for the Mid-Atlantic area. This has been an incredible chance for me to work with Hadassah members and volunteers nationally and throughout the Mid-Atlantic area.

Annual Giving is a wonderful opportunity for many of our members to support Hadassah's vital programs, while helping to provide Hadassah with a known annual income stream.  I have been a Traditional ($1000 annually) Keeper of the Gate for the last 15 years. Being a Keeper allows me to demonstrate to the world how important Hadassah’s work is to me.  As a Keeper, I am proud to support Israel, our hospitals with their groundbreaking medical advances, youth programs, and advocacy for women's rights. I know that my annual Keepers gift, when combined with similar gifts from other Annual Givers across the country, helps make much of Hadassah's work possible.

This year, Hadassah has introduced a new $2500 Keepers level. This new level is called "Silver Keeper of the Gate," in honor of the silver anniversary. When I heard about this new level for the incredible 25th Anniversary milestone, I didn't hesitate for a moment to join in!  To my amazement, I learned that I became the very first Silver Keeper in the country. I encourage other Hadassah Annual Givers to join me as a Silver Keeper, to help Hadassah expand our programs, in keeping with Henrietta Szold’s vision: ”Make my eyes look to the future.”

Rhoda S. Dombchik
Annual Giving Liaison for Mid Atlantic Area

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"Look what you made me do!" It's a running joke between Myra Friedman and her dear friend, Helene Weiss, that has lasted for over 2 decades. Myra has been a Hadassah Life Member since 1975, when she joined as a young married woman in small-town western Pennsylvania, because "it was just what everyone did, to be a part of the local Jewish community." She is proud to have "come from a philanthropic family and can't imagine life without philanthropy." Having moved to different cities and towns during her adult life, she has always sought out the local Hadassah chapter, where she found her Hadassah sisters. 

Myra and her husband, Mort, who is a Hadassah Associate, made their first visit to Israel in the early 1980's, and toured the entire country. What stood out in their minds was Hadassah Medical Organization. "We knew that Hadassah treats everyone, but seeing it in person... It was an experience we'll never forget." Myra was particularly moved by Hadassah pediatricians treating children who had been brought to Hadassah Hospital from abroad for the specialized expertise which was unavailable in their home countries.

When Myra and Mort retired, they moved to the lovely community of Naples, Florida, in 1999.  Before their new home was even completed, Myra's new friend Helene Weiss, whom she had met at the synagogue, asked Myra if she would host an event in her new house. Helene explained that it would be a fundraiser for a new kind of giving for Hadassah, called Keepers of the Gate, which had started in the Florida Atlantic region. Shocked, Myra said, "But I don’t have flooring, anything on my walls, or any furniture there! We haven't even moved in yet!" A date was ultimately chosen, and the event was overwhelmingly successful, garnering 18 new Keepers of the Gate that day, among them, Myra and Mort. For many years, Myra and Helene co-chaired this annual event for the Collier-Lee chapter, as a team. At the most recent Collier-Lee Keepers event, held virtually, of course, Myra chose to step up from traditional Keeper to Golden Keeper, because, she says, "this was a special opportunity, and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it. I'm so glad to be able to enjoy my giving while I'm alive to see how it helps." The couple's Golden Keeper gift has been designated to Hadassah's entire mission, because they felt that all of Hadassah's work should be supported. The Friedmans are also taking advantage of the Lighting the Way program.

We are deeply grateful to Myra and Mort for their ongoing, long-term commitment and their generous support to the lifesaving and life changing work of Hadassah. May they continue to go from strength to strength! Perhaps we owe our gratitude also to Helene Weiss, for "making" Myra host that first Keepers event in their chapter. Well done!

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"Look what you made me do!" It's a running joke between Myra Friedman and her dear friend, Helene Weiss, that has lasted for over 2 decades. Myra has been a Hadassah Life Member since 1975, when she joined as a young married woman in small-town western Pennsylvania, because "it was just what everyone did, to be a part of the local Jewish community." She is proud to have "come from a philanthropic family and can't imagine life without philanthropy." Having moved to different cities and towns during her adult life, she has always sought out the local Hadassah chapter, where she found her Hadassah sisters. 

Myra and her husband, Mort, who is a Hadassah Associate, made their first visit to Israel in the early 1980's, and toured the entire country. What stood out in their minds was Hadassah Medical Organization. "We knew that Hadassah treats everyone, but seeing it in person... It was an experience we'll never forget." Myra was particularly moved by Hadassah pediatricians treating children who had been brought to Hadassah Hospital from abroad for the specialized expertise which was unavailable in their home countries.

When Myra and Mort retired, they moved to the lovely community of Naples, Florida, in 1999.  Before their new home was even completed, Myra's new friend Helene Weiss, whom she had met at the synagogue, asked Myra if she would host an event in her new house. Helene explained that it would be a fundraiser for a new kind of giving for Hadassah, called Keepers of the Gate, which had started in the Florida Atlantic region. Shocked, Myra said, "But I don’t have flooring, anything on my walls, or any furniture there! We haven't even moved in yet!" A date was ultimately chosen, and the event was overwhelmingly successful, garnering 18 new Keepers of the Gate that day, among them, Myra and Mort. For many years, Myra and Helene co-chaired this annual event for the Collier-Lee chapter, as a team. At the most recent Collier-Lee Keepers event, held virtually, of course, Myra chose to step up from traditional Keeper to Golden Keeper, because, she says, "this was a special opportunity, and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it. I'm so glad to be able to enjoy my giving while I'm alive to see how it helps." The couple's Golden Keeper gift has been designated to Hadassah's entire mission, because they felt that all of Hadassah's work should be supported. The Friedmans are also taking advantage of the Lighting the Way program.

We are deeply grateful to Myra and Mort for their ongoing, long-term commitment and their generous support to the lifesaving and life changing work of Hadassah. May they continue to go from strength to strength! Perhaps we owe our gratitude also to Helene Weiss, for "making" Myra host that first Keepers event in their chapter. Well done!

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Keepers of the Gate will celebrate the silver anniversary in Israel on November 7-14, 2021. This exclusive tour of Israel gives our Keepers an up-close-and-personal opportunity to see the projects that Keepers of the Gate gifts support. 

• Visit the Meir Shfeyah Youth Aliyah Village to learn how we are educating and nurturing Israel’s most at-risk youth and helping to shape their future.  
• Tour both Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem and Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus campuses and witness the impact Hadassah doctors and nurses have on the lives of Israelis and our broader global community. 
• While visiting Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, Keepers who have achieved their 5-year milestone will experience the thrill of seeing their name engraved on a Keeper of the Gate pillar.
• Visit the Knesset, tour Machane Yehuda market, experience Shabbat at the Western Wall and so much more!
• Two, 3-day post-tour extensions are also available.

Register now and receive the early bird rate of $2,525 until May 7,  2021. Join as a NEW Keeper or STEP UP to the next level of Keepers of  the Gate and receive an additional $250 off your land package!

Visit www.hadassah.org/israeltravel or contact Roz Kantor at rkantor@hadassah.org for more information.

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Keepers of the Gate will celebrate the silver anniversary in Israel on November 7-14, 2021. This exclusive tour of Israel gives our Keepers an up-close-and-personal opportunity to see the projects that Keepers of the Gate gifts support. 

• Visit the Meir Shfeyah Youth Aliyah Village to learn how we are educating and nurturing Israel’s most at-risk youth and helping to shape their future.  
• Tour both Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem and Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus campuses and witness the impact Hadassah doctors and nurses have on the lives of Israelis and our broader global community. 
• While visiting Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, Keepers who have achieved their 5-year milestone will experience the thrill of seeing their name engraved on a Keeper of the Gate pillar.
• Visit the Knesset, tour Machane Yehuda market, experience Shabbat at the Western Wall and so much more!
• Two, 3-day post-tour extensions are also available.

Register now and receive the early bird rate of $2,525 until May 7,  2021. Join as a NEW Keeper or STEP UP to the next level of Keepers of  the Gate and receive an additional $250 off your land package!

Visit www.hadassah.org/israeltravel or contact Roz Kantor at rkantor@hadassah.org for more information.

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Susan Musicant Shikora, National Co-Chair, Annual Giving: sshikora@hadassah.org

Dana Waxler, National Co-Chair, Annual Giving: dwaxler@hadassah.org

Linda Freedman Block, National Chair, Keepers of the Gate: lblock@hadassah.org

Crystal Stubbs, National Director, Annual Giving and Youth Initiatives: cstubbs@hadassah.org

Bryce Diamond, Assistant Director, Annual Giving: bdiamond@hadassah.org

Ian Merles, Annual Giving Officer: imerles@hadassah.org

Betsy Silverfine, Annual Giving Officer: bsilverfine@hadassah.org

Susan Musicant Shikora, National Co-Chair, Annual Giving: sshikora@hadassah.org

Dana Waxler, National Co-Chair, Annual Giving: dwaxler@hadassah.org

Linda Freedman Block, National Chair, Keepers of the Gate: lblock@hadassah.org

Crystal Stubbs, National Director, Annual Giving and Youth Initiatives: cstubbs@hadassah.org

Bryce Diamond, Assistant Director, Annual Giving: bdiamond@hadassah.org

Ian Merles, Annual Giving Officer: imerles@hadassah.org

Betsy Silverfine, Annual Giving Officer: bsilverfine@hadassah.org