FALL 2019 | ELUL - KISLEV 5779/80 Kaleidoscope
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NEWS & INFORMATION FALL 2019 | ELUL - KISLEV 5779/80 kaleidoSCOPE Connection is Power e con·nec·tion/k 'nekSH( )n/e 1. the act or state of connecting 2. the state of being connected 3. anything that connects; a connecting part; link; bond 4. association; relationship 5. a circle of friends or associates or a member of such a circle In 2002, Jamie Armin became involved with Hadassah in Massachusetts because she was looking for a Jewish women’s organization. With a background in education and an emphasis in health science and working with at-risk students, Jamie shares, “my background was a natural match with Hadassah’s work in health research, Youth Aliyah, and stem cell research.” Jamie held a variety of positions at the local level including membership chair, book club chair and president. When the time came to move west to California, Jamie reached out to the local Northern Area offi ce and was told about a new group forming in the San Fernando Valley area where she would be able to connect with other like-minded Hadassah women and put her leadership skills into action. Thanks to Jamie’s background, commitment to Hadassah, and her outgoing personality, she found a home in the new, soon to be chartered group, Ruach, and will be installed as the fi rst president. Originally from New York, Roni Splatnick lived in various locations on the east coast before settling in Saskatchewan, Canada, and becoming involved in Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization). A loyal member, Roni and her husband moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she transferred her membership to Hadassah and four years later relocated to Palm Desert. It was here that Roni found her way to Sabra Hadassah of the Desert and made an immediate connection with other women who shared similar values and interests. Not long after joining the group, Roni jumped into a leadership position where she became Continued on Page 7 WHO WE ARE Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to the land, the people, and the future of Israel. Through education, advocacy, and youth development, and its support of medical care and research at Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah enhances the health and lives of people in Israel, the United States and worldwide. HAD-KAL-Fall 2019.indd 1 8/26/19 3:59 PM kaleidoSCOPE NEWS & INFORMATION FALL 2019 | ELUL - KISLEV 5779/80 FROM OUR PRESIDENT AREA CONTACT INFORMATION HADASSAH SABRA OF THE DESERT DESERT/EAST AREA Rosh Hashanah is a time of renewal, Cindy Hailpern, President Michelle Shahon, Area Director an opportunity for a fresh start. Hadassah Desert/East Area PO Box 11979 It is a time when we resolve to have a better year. Palm Desert, CA 92255-1979 ph (760) 327-7059 fax (310) 247-0607 Each of us has unlimited potential and capacity for greatness. [email protected] Each of us has a unique set of skills and talents that when applied HAWAII properly, can have a monumental impact. This Rosh Hashanah let us Andrea Snyder, Hawaii President ph (808) 265-3559 commit to using our individual strengths to make a difference. [email protected] LONG BEACH/ORANGE COUNTY AREA Through Hadassah you can connect to a community of 300,000 members, and that Dorie Rogers, President connection is power—the power: Michelle Shahon, Area Director Hadassah Long Beach/Orange County Area • to fight for Jewish values and social justice, PO Box 881 • for the things you are about, Los Alamitos, CA 90720 ph (562) 430-5055 fax (310) 247-0607 • for quality healthcare in Israel and around the world, [email protected] • for women’s rights, METRO LOS ANGELES AREA Maureen Bernstein and Mitra Irani, Co-Presidents • to fight against anti-Semitism, and so much more! Hazel Gordon, Area Director Hadassah Metro Area Choose to positively influence the next 365 days with kindness, joy and strength! Amelia & Mark Taper Hadassah House 455 S. Robertson Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211 All of us at Hadassah wish you and yours a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year! ph (310) 276-0036 fax (310) 247-0607 [email protected] L’Shanah Tovah, NORTHERN AREA (VALLEYS) Gabrielle Clayman and Fay Thaw, Co-Presidents Rachel Charnick, Area Director Debbie Kessler Hadassah Northern Area 20350 Ventura Blvd. Suite 220 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 ph (818) 887-1912 fax (818) 887-1913 [email protected] FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAN DIEGO AREA Lori Good and Joan Rosenberg, Co-Presidents From the day I began working for Hadassah, the concept of Deena Feinman, Area Director “connection” was quite evident. I observed it in how our Hadassah San Diego Area 4950 Murphy Canyon Road members interact with each other and enjoy deep lasting San Diego, CA 92123 friendships, how our doctors in Israel relate to their patients, ph (858) 268-3200 fax (858) 268-3299 how our staff members work hard for the mission, and how [email protected] generously our donors give to the organization. HEADQUARTERS HADASSAH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA How does this happen, this concept of connection? Perhaps it Debbie Kessler, President was the foundation our founder Henrietta Szold created in 1912 Lauren Rothman, Executive Director when she called for practical Zionism, proactive work to help meet Neil Fischer, Director of Operations, Administration and Technology the health needs of Palestine’s people. More than 100 years later, Henrietta’s motivation Harriett Zeitlin, Director of Development, of Jewish women engaged in a feet-on-the ground approach is still today what connects Western and Desert Mountain Regions us together. Ian Merles, Annual Giving Officer, West Coast Amelia & Mark Taper Hadassah House 455 S. Robertson Boulevard What is your personal connection to Hadassah? Is it our medical research, our treatment Beverly Hills, CA 90211 of all patients that walk through our hospital doors, the cures to diseases that affect ph (310) 276-0036 fax (310) 247-0607 those we love? [email protected] www.hadassah.org/southerncalifornia As Rosh Hashanah approaches, I invite you to look deep within your soul for opportunities to connect even more with the people you care about, to connect even kaleidoSCOPE Published by Hadassah Southern California more to Hadassah’s life-changing work and to connect even more with the world around you and leaving your personal imprint. Editor: Terry Whitten [email protected] Thank you for all you do for Hadassah and may you experience a Rosh Hashanah filled Staff Editor: Michelle Shahon [email protected] with peace and deep meaningful connections. Layout & Design: Mac Media, LLC Lauren Rothman hadassah.org/southerncalifornia HAD-KAL-Fall 2019.indd 2 8/26/19 3:59 PM NEWS & INFORMATION FALL 2019 | ELUL - KISLEV 5779/80 Advocacy at the Forefront “The best way I know to assure women’s rights is to assert women’s rights.” This powerful statement was spoken by Hadassah National President Ellen Hershkin as she addressed the nearly one thousand attendees at Hadassah’s 99th National Convention this past July. Hershkin’s words set the stage for a rally on the streets of Manhattan where the women of Hadassah raised their voices to support reproductive choice and culminated in a new policy statement on infertility. This included the reaffi rmation of pro-choice statements, protesting recent policy changes and proposals that are jeopardizing access to reproductive and preventive health services. The new policy statement on infertility cites that one in eight couples in the United States have trouble getting and sustaining a pregnancy, and nearly 12% of women have received infertility services. Rates are higher in the Jewish community with infertility aff ecting one in six anti-hate education and to affi rm support for Israel and opposition to Jewish couples. anti-Semitism that must remain nonpartisan American values. Despite these statistics, access to fertility treatments are often An additional policy statement was passed to address the prohibitive due to limited insurance coverage, and many families humanitarian crisis at the border. It asserts that “as Jews we have incur debt or choose not to seek treatment due to fi nancial burden. a special understanding of the immigrant experience, especially Currently, Israel is the worldwide leader of in vitro fertilization, and refugees seeking safe haven from perilous circumstances in their Hadassah Medical Organization is also a leader in fertility treatment native countries,” and it affi rms that Hadassah is dedicated to health, and research. Hadassah’s new policy statement urges lawmakers human rights, and the advancement of human dignity in response to in the United States to expand access to and reduce the fi nancial this humanitarian crisis. burden on infertility screenings and treatments. Hadassah’s Policy Statements are debated and voted on by Hadassah’s In addition to women’s rights, Hadassah National Convention national board and delegates, and affi rm that Hadassah continues to addressed the disturbing increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric, threats, play a vigorous and vital role in American society. propaganda, and attacks. “The only way to fi ght anti-Semitism Visit Hadassah’s National Action Center is by waging an affi rmative battle for who we are,” said New York to fi nd a policy that matters to you! Times Opinion Editor Bari Weiss. Hadassah has expanded its policy statements to include details about the need for Holocaust and www.hadassah.org/advocate/national-action-center.html CONNECT WITH HADASSAH AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ABOUT THE ISSUES YOU CARE ABOUT… WOMEN’S RIGHTS HEALTHCARE IN ISRAEL & THE US JEWISH VALUES & SOCIAL JUSTICE CONNECTION IS POWER Together, we have the power to heal the world.