A Message From Hadassah National President Ellen Hershkin
I’m proud of Hadassah’s longstanding commitment to advancing women’s health, through the exemplary research and care at Hadassah Medical Organization, as well as our health education and grassroots advocacy here in the United States.
On the heels of Mother’s Day and National Women’s Health Week, we learn about the brazen assaults on women’s reproductive health across the country and, once again, Hadassah is speaking out.
30 years ago, then National President Carmela Kalmanson passionately declared to Hadassah Convention delegates, “The real question, my friends, is who makes the choice: the government or the woman? At Hadassah, we stand with the woman.”
We again face the same question, and our answer has not changed. Hadassah has, and always will, unequivocally stand for women’s reproductive rights and empowering women with the knowledge to make critical health decisions for themselves and their families. For decades Hadassah members and leaders mobilized for reproductive freedom – passing policy statements, advocating at the state and national level, and attending rallies around the country.
Today, with the support of Hadassah’s National Executive Committee, I reaffirm Hadassah’s unwavering commitment to ensure that women – not elected officials or employers – control their own bodies and family planning decisions. Reproductive health choices, based on full and accurate medical information and guidance, must be made in accordance with a woman’s own religious, moral and ethical values.
Join us in speaking out. Urge your federal officials to support women’s preventive health and proactive reproductive rights legislation. Stay informed about state and local policies and get involved – as individuals and with Hadassah groups – in these community efforts. As legal actions present challenges to the constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade, we will inform you about Hadassah’s involvement in relevant amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs in support of our policies and other opportunities to take action.
Ellen Hershkin
Hadassah National President