From groundbreaking medical achievements to advocating for women’s rights, fighting antisemitism to helping Israel heal after the devastation of October 7, we are looking back at Hadassah’s incredible impact in 2023 — in Israel and in cities all across the United States.
Israel at War: #HealIsraelNow
- When Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, Hadassah responded immediately to provide lifesaving treatment at its Jerusalem hospitals and support for students at its Youth Aliyah villages. Hadassah continues to meet the pressing needs of Israel’s war-wounded, including rehabilitation and mental health services. Nearly $14 million has been raised so far in emergency funding to support these efforts.
- Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow, CEO Naomi Adler and Director of Government Relations Elizabeth Cullen joined a solidarity mission organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations on October 17, where they heard leading members of Congress declare their strong support for Israel.
- Hadassah members and leaders proudly mobilized to participate in the largest pro-Israel rally in US history on November 14, marching among nearly 300,000 supporters on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
- Hadassah co-sponsored a special session hosted by the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations on December 4 to bear witness to testimony about Hamas’ acts of gender-based violence and to demand action. Hadassah and the Hadassah Foundation first spoke out about this issue in October and continue to speak out to condemn these atrocious acts, including putting public pressure on the UN and UN Women.
- On December 13, Hadassah sent a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) denouncing its failure to demand assurances about and access to the hostages kidnapped by Hamas and demanding the ICRC visit the hostages to assess their condition.
- Hadassah co-sponsored a webinar organized by the Hadassah Foundation on December 19, “Women in Israel: What’s Next?” The speakers discussed Hamas’ use of rape and other gender-based violence as a weapon of war and how organizations are helping to document these horrific war crimes and advocate to the international community that Hamas be held accountable.
Women’s Empowerment
- In September, not one, but two Hadassah women leaders earned places on The Jerusalem Post's "50 Most Influential Jews" list: Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow and Dr. Polina Stepensky, head of the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immunotherapy.
- Hadassah continued its decades-long fight for women’s reproductive rights in the wake of the reversal of Roe v. Wade with the January statement, “Support for Choice in a Post-Roe Landscape,” and a discussion on “The State of Choice: Taking Action in a Post-Roe America,” while advocates worked to advance protections for choice (and fight restrictions) on the federal and state levels.
- On March 8, International Women’s Day, Hadassah co-hosted a Capitol Hill reception celebrating the Jewish women of the 118th Congress, featuring congressional and Biden administration leaders, including Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, and White House liaison Shelley Greenspan. And on September 27, in partnership with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Hadassah hosted an impactful congressional briefing, American Women Supporting Israel: Building Bridges and Making an Impact.
Medical Innovation
- In May, the Hadassah Medical Organization announced a 90 percent success rate for its innovative experimental treatment for the bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma. This treatment uses genetic engineering technology called CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, which boosts the patient’s immune system to destroy the cancer.
- In June, The Jerusalem Post reported on an innovative new cream that prevents damage to healthy skin cells caused by treatment for several types of cancer, co-developed by HMO dermatologist Dr. Sharon Merims. This is the first effective treatment for this kind of skin toxicity.
- In August, Hadassah announced the results of an international study, led by HMO’s Dr. Ran Nir-Paz and Dr. Ronen Hazan, that broke new ground in the global struggle against antibiotic resistance, paving the way for future clinical trials. The study’s 86.6 percent success rate demonstrated that phage therapy, which uses viruses to attack bacterial infections, can destroy at least some strains that have become resistant to antibiotics.
- In September, Newsweek named the Hadassah Medical Organization a world leader in cardiology and oncology in the magazine’s 2024 rankings of the world’s best specialized hospitals. This is the fourth year in a row that Hadassah has been included as one of the world’s top hospitals for cardiology and the third year in a row for oncology. Newsweek also named Hadassah a leader in the use of “smart” technologies.
Membership and Leadership
- On January 11, the 2023 Genesis Prize, aka the “Jewish Nobel,” was awarded to Jewish activists and NGOs for their work supporting the Ukrainian people in the wake of the humanitarian crisis, including Hadassah, the Hadassah Medical Organization and Hadassah International.
- Hadassah launched its National Educators Council with a galvanizing January 31 inaugural celebration, "Hadassah Loves Educators," joined by hundreds of online attendees around the country.
- In February, Hadassah chapters around the country shined a spotlight on heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Chapters held events to educate their communities about heart wellness and Hadassah Medical Organization advances in cardiology, and advocates spoke out to advance women’s heart research.
- Hadassah launched its second class of Evolve Leadership Fellows, welcoming a cohort of women in their 20s, 30s and 40s from around the country who are dedicated to Hadassah's mission — to ensure Israel's security, combat antisemitism and advocate for women's health care — and have the skills needed to lead the organization into the future.
- Hadassah members advocated! We sent over 25,000 messages and signatures on 2023 campaigns in support of Israel, combating antisemitism and championing women's and public health.
Israel at 75
- In May, Hadassah released its inaugural list of 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know, a diverse selection of Zionist women, as part of Hadassah & Israel — Together at 75, marking Israel’s 75th anniversary.
- On September 13, Hadassah observed two Youth Aliyah milestones in Israel’s 75th year, the 100th anniversary of Meir Shfeyah and the 75th anniversary of Hadassah Neurim, at a virtual celebration: Rise Up! Youth Aliyah Jubilee.
- In October, “Inspire Zionism: Tech, Trailblazers and Tattoos” brought hundreds together online for a two-day Hadassah symposium featuring Zionist innovators, artists and influencers engaging in timely conversations about identity, perceptions of Israel, antisemitism and empowerment.
More Highlights
Read More
The Year in Podcasts: Hadassah on Call
Hadassah on the Ground: In Peace and War
A Look Back: Rhoda Smolow’s Lasting Impact
Thank you to everyone who made all of this possible! There is much more to come at Hadassah in 2024. Join our mailing list, listen to our Hadassah On Call podcast and visit our website to stay up-to-date on Hadassah happenings.