Contact:
Mitchell Slepian
mslepian@hadassah.org
NEW YORK, NY: – Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States, is proud to introduce the Evolve Leadership Fellows, a special cohort of young members from across the country who will lead the next generation at Hadassah.
The Evolve Leadership Fellows will be officially recognized by the women leading Hadassah today when the Fellows travel to Jerusalem next month for Together in Israel: Our Pride. Our Purpose. Hadassah’s 100th National Convention (November 14 – 17). In addition to attending the convention sessions and events and visiting some of Jerusalem’s iconic sights, the Fellows will meet with senior Hadassah volunteer leaders and longtime Hadassah members.
While in Israel, the Fellows will also visit the Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah’s medical center in Jerusalem, and hear from physicians working in a variety of specialties. The Fellows will also spend time with the residents and staff members at Hadassah’s two youth villages.
Meir Shfeyah, near Zikhron Ya'akov, and Hadassah Neurim, near Netanya. At the campus-like communities, originally created as a refuge for children of Holocaust victims, Hadassah provides wraparound services for at-risk Israeli teens and for young immigrants from places in the world where it is no longer safe to be a Jew.
The group will have a five-day pre-convention trip during which they will explore contemporary Israeli issues by visiting the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation, a Druze village, a Gaza border area and an agrotourism project, among other places. The young leaders will also spend time at contemporary and historic sites in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
On their return to the US, the Fellows will begin a series of leadership development sessions. Over the next year, they will hear from Hadassah National President, Rhoda Smolow; Hadassah CEO, Naomi Adler; and other members of Hadassah’s leadership team about how to inspire others to advance Hadassah's mission to support Israel, fight antisemitism and advocate for women’s health equity.
Said National President Smolow, “It is wonderful to see these intelligent, determined young women step up to the plate, eager to develop the skills that will enable them to lead the next generation of Hadassah members.”
Said Amy Sapeika, a Fellow from Michigan and a third-generation Life Member of Hadassah, “I am very excited about showing younger women that Hadassah is an organization relevant to all generations of women.”