We're pleased to kick off a new series about some of our top Hadassah leaders, VP Voices, with this profile of Jill Sapperstein. Hadassah vice presidents play a critical role in setting organizational priorities, raising funds and representing Hadassah on the national stage. At any one time, there are six vice presidents on the Hadassah National Board, each bringing her own unique experience, passions and expertise to the position. With this series, we invite you to get to know these dedicated volunteer leaders.
Jill Sapperstein was on track to take a major leadership role in her Hadassah chapter in Baltimore when she made a deal with her husband. That was many years ago.
Back then, with three kids in private school, they agreed that it made sense for her to step back from her volunteer positions, including Hadassah, and go back to work, which she did, working as a system administrator and trainer for business tools.
“At that point, my focus had to be the family,” Sapperstein said. But 14 years later, “when my youngest graduated high school … the leadership got in touch with me, and I started to work my way back up the ranks.”
Why? She says she’s “very committed to the mission,” particularly, “the work that Hadassah does on a daily basis to improve the lives of all Israelis.”
In 2012, she became region president, then moved on to a role in operations at the national level, playing an integral part in Hadassah’s years-long conversion to using Salesforce for member and donor management. With her professional background, it was a natural fit.
In 2022, she began her three-year term as a Hadassah vice president, continuing to focus on operations, and –– in addition to her participation in a Hadassah young leadership training program in 1988 –– is most proud of the work she’s done to make Salesforce accessible to volunteers across the country.
“The kinds of reports that we’re able to pull so we can really get true ROIs and really know whether we're meeting our goals and what types of things work to help us meet those goals, we never had that before,” Sapperstein said.
As she wraps up her term at the end of 2024, Sapperstein said she will most miss taking part in the “hard discussions.”
“Being in that room is something I will treasure and hope to eventually, somewhere along the way, get a chance to do it again,” she said.
Sapperstein’s Hadassah journey began 40 years ago, in 1984. “My next door neighbor dragged me to a meeting. I left that meeting a life member and cards and certificates chair. From there I worked my way up.”
Next up for the mother of three and grandmother of six (with one on the way, all life members or Associates) will be to serve as the co-chair of geographic area finance, working with finance staff and training treasurers on how to use Salesforce reports, a “dovetail” of her current role.
She will also continue her work with the Jewish Women's Giving Foundation of Baltimore, where she currently serves as co-chair of membership.
Her advice for incoming VPs? “At least at the start, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. You need to listen and do that ‘learn’ before you can state an opinion. I’ve been one of those VPs that doesn’t say very much, but when I do, it’s usually fairly impactful.”
“I may not be out there doing the fancy stuff,” Sapperstein said, but “I love Hadassah. Most people know it’s my life, behind my children.”
The Fun Facts
Gefilte fish, yes or no?
Yes!
Favorite Jewish holiday treat?
Chocolate hamantaschen
Favorite Jewish author?
Daniel Silva or Naomi Ragen
If you could have dinner with any historical Jewish woman, who would it be?
That’s easy. I would love to sit down with Henrietta Szold.
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