In her annual Passover address, Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow writes, "It's been a year since my last Passover message, asking us to hold onto hope. This year, as we face challenges new and old — including COVID-19 — hope is an intrinsic part of the work of healing. At Hadassah, we know that hope must be embodied and emboldened by action. Hope, like healing, is not passive."
Read the full text of Rhoda's message to see how Hadassah is bringing healing and hope to the world. Then see below for uplifting and engaging actions you can take from home.
Celebrate Israel: Hadassah Magazine Discussion: Exploring Israeliana, Iconic Israeli Souvenirs and Judaica with the Israel Museum. Timed to coincide with Israel's Independence Day, Executive Editor Lisa Hostein hosts senior curators from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for an exploration of Israeliana — Israeli tchotchkes popular among tourists in the early years of the state. In advance, submit examples of vintage, pre-1975 Israeliana items — menorahs, souvenir plates, candlesticks and more — by emailing magazine@hadassah.org. During the event, the curators will analyze a few examples. Thursday, May 12, 12:30 pm ET.
Never forget:Join us for a virtual 20-minute commemoration of Yom Hashoah with Hadassah colleagues. We will have a moving program during which we will pay tribute and respect to those who perished in the Holocaust. Together, we will remember. Thursday, April 28, 1 pm ET.
Get moving and have fun:Hugely popular with members last year, Hadassah's dynamic health and wellness program — Every Move Counts — is designed to help you boost your physical and mental well-being along with other Hadassah members wherever you are, and however you like. It's back this spring with fantastic new features, including new US and Israel adventure maps, new fundraising opportunities and more. Round 1 begins May 17.
Live with a celebrity chef: Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation presents Faces and Flavors of Judaism: Cooking, Culture and How Food Connects Us, with Chef Einat Admony. This all-new series explores the diversity of Jewish people and practices across the world — and the medium that unites us: our love of food. The series kicks off with guest speaker Einat Admony, known for her Food Network appearances and for her beloved falafel chain, Taim. Einat will share her journey from a cook in the Israeli army to gourmet New York City chef, and how she draws inspiration from her family's Persian and Yemeni roots. Monday, May 16, 7 pm ET; encores: 8 pm CT, MT, and PT.
Special podcast episode:Hadassah On Call: Ukraine Dispatch: Healing Meets Humanity. Learn about Hadassah’s crisis response: Hadassah medical delegations in Poland are treating refugees as they cross the border at Hadassah clinics; Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking Hadassah nurses and midwives in Israel are answering urgent questions on a free hotline set up to help pregnant Ukrainians, and Hadassah hospitals are treating Ukrainian refugees in Jerusalem. Hear from Hadassah professionals making this happen: Acting Director General Professor Yoram Weiss; Rely Alon, PhD, director of the Division of Nursing and Health Professions; and Dr. Alex Gileles-Hillel, senior pediatric pulmonologist.
Yom Yerushalayim celebration:Hadassah and Jerusalem: United Forever. Join us for a heartwarming, historical, virtual celebration of the reunification of Jerusalem and our two hospitals which took place on June 7, 1967. This virtual celebration will feature musical performances from Israeli performers, powerful speakers and never-before-seen videos that will surely inspire you. Wednesday, June 1, 8 pm ET.
- Support Israel: Congress heard our voices and introduced the bipartisan COI Elimination Act (H.R. 7223) to seek the elimination of the anti-Israel Commission of Inquiry at the UN's Human Rights Council. The US should not pay for biased, sham investigations meant to discredit and isolate Israel. Urge your representatives to support the COI Elimination Act today.
- Action on infertility: Infertility awareness week is April 24-30. It is up to all of us to raise awareness about infertility and help implement meaningful change. By improving education and expanding access to quality and affordable care, we can ensure that all families facing infertility can get the medical support they need. Urge your legislators to support bipartisan action on infertility today.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
VIDEO: Sneak Peek: Hadassah's 100th National Convention in Israel
VIDEO: One Book, One Hadassah: Live with Lisa Barr, author of Woman on Fire
SAVE THE DATE (details to come in future emails):
- One Book, One Hadassah: Live with Rachel Barenbaum, the award-winning author of Atomic Anna. Wednesday, June 15, 7 pm ET.
For past programs see our last Hadassah@home email or our Virtual Programming page. Follow our COVID-19 coverage.