Hadassah, in partnership with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), recently hosted an impactful congressional briefing, American Women Supporting Israel: Building Bridges and Making an Impact. The event featured four exceptional women working to build support for Zionism who believe that America needs policies that support a strong alliance with Israel.
As Hadassah continues to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary, we are proud to spotlight women whose work shows the world that support for Israel is critical and widespread. “Women have always been a powerful voice to ensure Israel’s right to exist and to strengthen the close alliance between the US and Israel,” said Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow.
During the briefing, Hadassah CEO Naomi Adler led a conversation about what motivates Zionism, how women are grappling with antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and why it is so important for Congress to support the US-Israel relationship.
“As someone who spends her days fighting for democracy and the American experiment, I believe strongly that support for the largest democracy in the Middle East is in America’s best interest,” said Danielle Rugoff, a life member of Hadassah and head of movement activation, product and partnerships at Starts With Us.
“The strategic alliance between Israel and the United States, which advances mutual security and enables cultural exchange, is strengthened by the average American’s understanding of its importance and impact,” said Michelle Rojas-Tal, Hadassah’s former Zionist scholar-in-residence. “That’s why it is critical that we are united in our advocacy for the US-Israel relationship, regardless of our different backgrounds.”
“The Jewish community, both on and off campus, is experiencing antisemitism, and we as Americans must address it head-on together,” said Destiny Albritton, national outreach director of the Israel on Campus Coalition. “In my work, I teach students that Zionism is the movement for self-determination of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, but you do not have to be Jewish to be a Zionist.”
“Israel is on the forefront of helping with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,” said Ana Sazonov, former executive director of the Columbia Jewish Federation in South Carolina, who was born in Ukraine. “A strong and secure Israel is an active force for good in the world, and the US-Israel relationship and its strategic alliance are important not only to Israel’s security but also to the security of all our allies.”
Hadassah has been the voice of American women who support Israel for over a century. In May, Hadassah released its inaugural list of 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know, amplifying the work of a new generation of Zionists. On October 25 and 26, Hadassah will host its first Zionism symposium, Inspire Zionism, which will highlight the innovators infusing new energy into the Zionist movement and feature conversations about the complexities of Zionism.
Watch the American Women Supporting Israel: Building Bridges and Making an Impact briefing and celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary with Hadassah!