Attorneys and Judges Council: Advocating for Hadassah’s Priorities in 2025

January 6, 2025

In an interview with Mandy Garver, co-chair of Hadassah’s Attorneys and Judges Council, Hadassah Government Relations Director Elizabeth Cullen spoke about what to expect from Washington in 2025 and how to best continue advocating for Hadassah’s policy priorities.

Cullen noted during a Zoom program presented by the Attorneys and Judges Council on December 12 that Hadassah is a 501c3 nonpartisan organization that does not participate in politics or endorse candidates. “We're an organization advocating for important policy priorities that cross party lines, including strengthening the US-Israel relationship, fighting antisemitism and advancing women’s health, including reproductive rights,” she said. “And we do that by working with leaders on both sides of the aisle.”

Hadassah will continue to work with its coalition partners on advocacy efforts before Congress, the administration and in the courts. “Our voices are needed now more than ever on all our core priorities,” Cullen said. “We will continue to engage in respectful advocacy in line with our principles and our values.”

In the first few months of the year, Cullen said she expects Congress to engage in the budget reconciliation process, which may include provisions addressing immigration, tax cuts, reproductive rights and more. She also foresees discussions about additional aid for Israel and efforts to expand on the Abraham Accords.

With a continued rise in antisemitism, Hadassah will be working to build awareness for its recent survey of women’s personal experiences, which showed that two-thirds of Jewish women surveyed reported that antisemitism is affecting their lives, relationships and work. “It's really going to be important for us to share these very disturbing findings and the stories behind them in our advocacy next year so that our public officials understand how antisemitism is affecting women and their families,” Cullen said.

Cullen urged all Hadassah members and supporters, including council members, to engage with Hadassah in advocacy through grassroots meetings, advocacy alert emails and the National Action Center.

“Whether it’s through your own individual communications with your legislators, going to town hall meetings, participating in our ‘Day in the District’ program, getting active in your community or getting active in chapter leadership, it really makes a difference,” Cullen said.

Along with Garver, Geri Kahn, who opened the program, and Lynn Altshuler serve as co-chairs of Hadassah’s Attorneys and Judges Council, which invites members of those professions to connect nationally and locally as a benefit of being Hadassah members.