“Amazing” seems to be the consensus.
It’s how Evolve Hadassah members, the next generation of Hadassah women, characterized their Evolve Immersive Experience (EIE) in New York City this November.
In fact, the women from around the country found their fellow participants and the engrossing activities of the “Bringing a Taste of Israel to New York” EIE so amazing, they were still coming off a retreat high days later.
During their four days, nearly 30 women found inspiration in earlier generations of Jewish women and immigrants — including in Henrietta Szold — and each other. Their daily itineraries were designed to help them forge connections to Israel, Hadassah’s work and one another.
“The Evolve experience was incredibly special because it had the perfect blend of inspiration, education and fun,” said Evolve Chair Debbie Knight, who was among the accompanying Evolve and Engagement Division volunteer leaders and staff. “We strengthened current relationships, made new friendships and were inspired to take action and to be the change for the future.”
“The entire experience in New York City was amazing,” said Debbie Trachtenberg of Oklahoma City, OK, who opted in on the EIE to “meet more like-minded Jewish women who could inspire me to push myself more and bring new experiences back to my community.” For Trachtenberg, a Hadassah life member like her family members, supporting Israel is what draws her to Hadassah’s mission. “I really hope that we are able to go to Israel with this group.”
Jacqueline Cohn of Sudbury, MA, was impressed by the “monumental undertaking” of bringing some 30 women from across the country together for an intense few days, which she called an “amazing retreat in NYC.” Cohn, whose Hadassah journey began more than five years ago when a Momentum trip opened her eyes to all Hadassah does to heal the world, was also moved by the comradery and exchange of viewpoints and ideas with like-minded women. “We were truly "engaged" and had the opportunity to "evolve" together. The level of care and compassion among these women was heartwarming. We met as strangers, and over the course of just a few days, we laughed together, cried together, shared deeply with each other and parted as great friends.
Hadassah partnered with Momentum on the Road for the retreat’s opening event, “Stronger Together: Fostering Jewish Unity to Combat Hate,” featuring Dr. Zohar Raviv, international vice president of educational strategy for Taglit-Birthright Israel, and Adrienne Gold Davis, Momentum’s director of experience and engagement.
The next day, participants heard from Brooklyn-born Sam Fried, an IDF soldier who served as a paratrooper from 2020-22 and returned to Israel to fight immediately after Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. He spoke about his time in Gaza and how he’s advocating for Israel around the world. Fried was introduced by Nili Perri, an Israeli tour guide who, serving as the EIE’s “scholar in residence,” brought a little of the State of Israel to the city of New York. She shared an overview of the IDF and how wounded soldiers are receiving treatments at Hadassah hospitals, including rehabilitation at the new Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus.
“We heard from many individuals expressing their thoughts and views on Israel, on the war, on relationships and on antisemitism,” said Cohn. Of Gold Davis and Fried, who she found most compelling, Cohn said, “I will carry their wisdom and their stories with me and share them with others. In these dark times, people need to hear uplifting advice and know the firsthand accounts of what the IDF is up against. These two individuals are empowering and give true meaning to the word ‘resilience.’”
For Plano, TX, resident Meryl Evans, the Gandel Rehabilitation Center has been extremely compelling, standing out among Hadassah’s endeavors to Evans, who was born profoundly deaf and is passionate about disability and accessibility. She hopes to interweave her passion projects into Hadassah. “It may be helping the organization be more accessible. After all, the more accessible the organization, the more people will get our message.”
Evans has been a Hadassah life member since the womb. Her mother served as president of the Fort Worth Chapter at the time. At first, Evans had also been attracted to Hadassah’s work in women’s health and Youth Aliyah. Now, she really wants to help get Evolve in Dallas off the ground. “It takes a team, as I cannot do it alone. I'm grateful for all the people who are involved.”
The women then toured the collections at the Center for Jewish History (CJH), including the Hadassah archives at CJH’s American Jewish Historical Society.
“It was thrilling to see Emma Lazarus’s sonnet in her writing and find my daughter's name in the Hadassah life member book,” added Evans.
“I think my favorite part was the American Jewish Historical Society,” said Rachel Werkheiser of Wilmington, DE. “It was absolutely fascinating, and I loved seeing all the treasures and having them explained to us.”
A Hadassah life member for as long as she can remember, Werkheiser remembers being dragged to Hadassah events by her mother, an active member. To Werkheiser, joining EIE meant continuing her mother's legacy and fulfilling her own need to connect with Jewish women, give back to the community and help with Hadassah's mission in Israel. “My friend sent me information about the EIE program, and I immediately jumped in with both feet.”
She also wanted to “not only see things I have never seen before but also experience them with a group of my friends.” She continued, “I hope to never stop learning and experiencing new things.”
A visit to the Tenement Museum was another EIE highlight, where the women got a peek into the homes of immigrant, migrant and refugee families dating back to the 1800s, including that of Jennie Levine, a Jewish mother who managed her household while, like Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold, inspiring other women to take action. This tour brought to mind how Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah villages in Israel are, and always have been, a haven for immigrant and refugee children.
Other memorable moments included dinner at Ethiopian-Israeli fusion restaurant Tsion Café, where Perri spoke about Ethiopian Jews in Israel and Ethiopian-born and Israeli-raised chef Beejhy shared how she empowers others to celebrate Jewish diversity, and writing letters to IDF soldiers, Hadassah patients and doctors, Youth Aliyah students and displaced families to be delivered by the organization Thank Israeli Soldiers.
According to Knight, the enthusiasm throughout the retreat was palpable. “The Evolve women, together with their local engagement staff partners, were able to build connections that will certainly contribute to future Hadassah success,” she said.
Following the EIE, Evans now has “a great group of friends with shared experiences. They're all amazing humans and leaders. I hope we can be resources and support for each other in our Hadassah journeys.”
“I took away a sense of strong Jewish pride from being surrounded by such amazing women and all of the things they are doing in their communities,” said Trachtenberg.
Cohn says she looks forward to making more connections through Hadassah. “I will be collaborating with some other Hadassah women from this trip in planning events to engage others in learning about Hadassah in a fun and social way.”
“The whole trip to New York was amazing, and it is difficult to find a stand-out moment,” said Werkheiser. “I take away so many new friendships, different perspectives, and so much information that every so often a new memory pops into my head.”
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