Hadassah members around the country are a little healthier thanks to Valerie Lowenstein, who became a national Hadassah vice president in 2022.
A nurse by trade, Lowenstein attended her first Hadassah event in New York 32 years ago “to meet other Jewish nurses as well as support nurses living and working in Israel.”
She has since developed two successful health campaigns for Hadassah, including Every Beat Counts to promote heart disease awareness and the Check It Out Program for Adults for breast cancer awareness. Understanding the lifesaving work at the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel, Lowenstein knew that incorporating Hadassah’s groundbreaking research into these domestic programs would be a win-win.
Lowenstein’s time as a Hadassah volunteer has been, and continues to be, extensive and diverse.
After moving from New York to Boston 30 years ago, she became president of both the Boston Chapter and the Landy Kaplan Nurses Council. “As chapter president, I tried to be fiscally responsible,” she said. “I decreased the office size and developed an annual major gifts event, as well as shared the chapter's revenues and expenses at each board meeting.”
Then came her seven years as national health and wellness chair, during which she initiated broad-reaching health programs and partnered with such nonprofits as CancerCare, Sharsheret and Hillels across the country. And as travel co-chair, she helped implement international missions to Cuba and Amsterdam and incorporated a membership and fundraising component.
“It has been an incredible journey,” she said. “I'm proud of how much I have grown, the skills I've gained, how much I’ve learned about Israel and the friends I've made in the US and Israel.
”As a VP, Lowenstein’s memorable moments have included analyzing and participating in important discussions that have a major impact on Hadassah and benefiting from the experience of past presidents. She also won’t forget being asked to co-chair the July 2023 National Assembly Meetings and The Heart of Hadassah — Pride, Passion and Purpose symposium in Chicago, co-lead a Culture Mission to Israel, serve on the 2024 search committee for Hadassah’s new CEO, sit on the Crisis Committee post-October 7, 2023, and represent Hadassah at Jewish National Fund board meetings.
Though her VP term is coming to an end, Lowenstein has no plans to walk away from Hadassah. Next up for her is time as Luminary chair of the National Society of Major Donors and co-chair of Hadassah Brings Israel to the United States.
For those hoping to follow in her VP l footsteps, Lowenstein has some advice: listen, stay focused on what matters, don’t be afraid to speak up even if your views are contrarian and, most importantly, “enjoy the journey!”
The Fun Facts
Gefilte fish, yes or no?
Yes, with horseradish
Favorite Jewish holiday treat?
Honey cake
Favorite Jewish author?
Chaim Potok
If you could have dinner with any historical Jewish woman, who would it be?
Henrietta Szold
Hadassah vice presidents play a critical role in setting organizational priorities, raising funds and serving as representatives for Hadassah at the national level. There are six vice presidents on the Hadassah National Board at any one time, and each brings her own unique experience and skill set to the position. In this series, we invite you to get to know these Hadassah vice presidents.
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