A Message from the President
Are you visiting Israel this summer or fall? If so, be sure to visit Hadassah Hospital. And if you do, thank a worker there; hospitals are only as beautiful, clean, and efficient as the staff who maintain them. So perform a random act of kindness; physicians, nurses, medical aids, lab techs, custodians, etc-- they all contribute to making Hadassah Hospitals world class facilities.
And speaking of travel... the absolute best way (I know...my daughter and I have experience) to visit Israel is on a Hadassah Mission. A Mother-Daughter Mission with Marcie Natan, immediate past-President of Hadassah, and her daughter will take you there! It's not too late to join a fabulous Hadassah Mission. They are all listed below, with links to more information.
And speaking of Missions... be sure to read about Diane Sigel's extraordinary experience. Diane just returned from Hadassah's Interfaith Mission lead by Julie Morris, and she has a tale to tell!
And speaking of travel... join us for THE POWER OF OUR DREAMS, Hadassah's National Convention is July 25-28. It will be the most powerful 4 days of your life!
Are you interested in Hadassah's local activities? Be sure to pay attention to what's happening in your area. And, if you are interested in Hadassah's domestic advocacy agenda, read below for some terrific program ideas. All you have to do is (1) let your leaders know you are interested and offer your help or (2) watch our Defining Zionism series from the comfort of your home! Learn! Enjoy! Participate!
A little disclaimer: if you have a hadassah.org account, your e-newsletter is decorated with little anomolies. Ignore. Roll with it. Have fun. Don't tell me about it-- ain't my fault, mahn! We hope your next newsletter is plain and boring.
I hope you and your family have a lovely summer. The beautiful, grand Pacific Northwest offers us nature in abundance. Enjoy!
Warmly,
Peg
Peg Elefant, President
Hadassah Pacific Northwest Region pelefant@hadassah.org
Convention 2016: July 25-28 in Atlanta
More than 600 people are already signed up for
the Hadassah 98th National Convention in Atlanta. Are you? Join us! This is
your chance to develop your own leadership skills and have fun, to engage more
deeply with our work and with like-minded women. And you'll be inspired by our
speakers on new advocacy initiatives on gender equity in medicine, HMO's
groundbreaking research and life-saving treatments, women's empowerment,
Israeli security innovations, and so much more.
Our
provocative Defining Zionism program will be live, with a panel of
distinguished guests including Caroline Glick, deputy managing editor of the The
Jerusalem Post / JPost.com; and Rob Eshman, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles publisher & editor-in-chief. See who else is in the lineup! http://bit.ly/1Sn4TM9
Take a look at our exciting
program -- including special signature events for young people, our Founders
Dinner and Keepers of the Gate reception -- and see for yourself. Then sign up.
Pacific Northwest
Region subvention application: extended deadline for 1st time
attendees: July 1, 2016 to Michelle Goldberg: mgoldberg@hadassah.org or mail to Michelle Goldberg, 1417 N 200th St Apt A2,Shoreline,WA 98133-3223
Acess the Pacific Northwest
Region subvention application. Up
to $450 from the Region) for 1st time attendees.
(note: Check with your unit President for a possible chapter subvention)
Register for Convention
Hadassah Contributes to Medical History!
A
new treatment, utilizing a stem cell infusion protocal performed at
Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) and developed by the U.S./Israeli
biotech company BrainStorm Cell therapeutics, was show to significantly
slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also know
as Lou Gehrig's disease in clinical trials. Prof. Dimitrios Karussis, a
senior neurologist at HMO says, "The results are very encouraging. In
the clinical trial of intrathecal infusion of stem cells, there were no
major adverse effects, and close to 90 percent of patients showed
slowing in the progression of disease." A Phase 2, double blind study
is currently running at Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital and
University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center using a treatment
protocal identical to the HMO trial.
Dr.
Karussis adds, "I am optimistic that within the foreseeable future we
may provide a treatment to ALS patients than can slow down or stop the
progression...While this is not a cure, it is the first step in a long
process in that direction.
Hadassah
President Ellen Hershkin adds: "For over 75 years, Hadassah's hospitals
have been in the vanguard of innovative medical discoveries, research
and treatements. Under Prof. Karussis' direction HMO is eager to
continue its groundbreaking work to combat ALS and similar
neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis."
Contact Hadassah to learn about ways that you can help support the future of lifesaving research.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION SPONSORS ANNUAL GIVING LUNCHEON
Nothing could have been nicer than a sunny day at the Seattle Yacht Club
for the PNW Region Annual Giving Luncheon on June 5. We had the pleasure of hearing from Diane
Sigel, Past Region President, who had literally just returned from the Hadassah
Interfaith Mission to Israel led by our own Julie Morris. She shared a story about a young girl who was
treated by the doctors at Hadassah Medical Organization. Mission attendees were treated to a “thank
you” meal hosted by her family at their home where she is recovering.
Dr. Harry Flaster, a surgeon at Harborview Medical Center, shared that
he will be leaving shortly to work at Hadassah Ein Kerem on a special surgical
research project. This is not his first
experience with Hadassah. During his
medical studies, he had the opportunity to do a semester at Hadassah Mt.
Scopus. We wish Harry safe travels and a
wonderful experience.
We were fortunate to have Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadasash National Board
and Chair of this summer’s Convention in Atlanta. Carol Ann shared some of the breakthrough
research that Hadassah is working on.
She announced that Hadassah had just opened a lab to work on the Zika
virus. She shared how Hadassah members
not only “speak up, but speak out” as we advocate for pay equality, gender
equality in medical research. Carol Ann
told us about partnerships between Hadassah and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Peg Elefant, Region President, welcomed Carolee Kawer, Portland Chapter
for joining Chai Society and Carol Meyer, Seattle Chapter for joining Keepers
of the Gate. Congratulations and Todah
Rabah!
Photo: top left--Carol Ann Schwartz, Nancy Lichter, bottom left--Dr. Harry Flaster, right: Carol Ann Schwartz
Portland Hadassah
Tacoma Hadassah
Tacoma Chapter held a wonderful event this April.We met two dynamic women, Betsy Rodgers from Pierce County DSHS foster care
division and Ericka Thompson from Fostering Together.They explained the difficulties
facing children as they navigate through the foster care system.
Betsy identified some urgent needs that we could assist them
with.There are many times that children, just entering the foster care
system, wait hours and sometimes days in social care offices prior to
placement. They do not have snacks or even a change of clothing.
Tacoma Hadassah assembled 55 comfort care bags containing clothing, toiletry
items and small games.There were also additional clothing items and
snacks that were sent with these women to assist children in our foster systems.
~We have 2 new members because of the event! ~We have 12 reengaged members. ~6 members participated through donating and communicating excitement
regarding the event who could not attended the event.
~Additionally,
the notes of encouragement our members wrote to children had the Hadassah
letterhead. These notes will go to 55 foster families who will have now heard
of Hadassah and will know a little more about us and what we do.
Linda Brown, President
Tacoma Hadassah
above picture: Lisa Sobel and Linda Brown show off Tacoma Hadassah's
care packages for foster children
Seattle Hadassah
SAVE THE DATES!
- On Tuesday evening, September 13, at Harley Marine
Services, Inc., 100 Hadassah supporters will gather to experience the very best
of Israeli wines and enjoy an elegant sunset dinner. Stories about the
global impact of Hadassah’s reach will infuse the evening.
- Also...
HADASSAH MISSIONS
from Diane Sigel, who just returned from Hadassah's Interfaith Mission led by Julie Morris...
"When 18 year old Sara al Katzroy started her routine
jog in Jericho, she never thought she would end up in the intensive care unit
at Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem. And the
21 participants, including my husband and me, in the recent Hadassah Interfaith
Mission led by Julie Morris never dreamed they would play a role in her
story.
(photo caption:)Our
guide in Bethlehem, Prof. Rigaat Safadi, Sara al Katzroy, Sar's sister, Barbara
Sofer (seated)
Sara became dehydrated and collapsed about 2 ½ miles
into her jog. She was treated for severe
heat stroke in Jericho but did not respond to the treatment. Her parents were told to say their
goodbyes.Instead, she was brought by
ambulance to Hadassah Hospital where she was diagnosed with multiple organ
failure. There was hope that her liver would begin
functioning again but preparations for a transplant were made as part of the
treatment plan.Several years ago,
Hadassah received a donation of a Molecular Absorbent Recirculation System,
also known as MARS. MARs removes toxins
and serves as an artificial liver support system.Thanks to MARS and Hadassah’s medical team,
Sara is recovering well and is back with her family in Bethlehem after spending
three weeks in the intensive care unit.
Sara’s family wanted to express their thanks to
Hadassah and contacted Barbara Sofer to help make this possible.The stars aligned perfectly as our group was
already planning on spending a day in Bethlehem. We were told that we were invited for lunch
at the home of a grateful family.Prof.
Rifaat Safadi, head of the Liver Unit and a key member of the medical team that
saved Sara, was to join us.Well,
calling our experience “lunch” is like calling the Taj Mahal a mere building.
When our small bus arrived at the family home, we were greeted by the entire
neighborhood, cell phone cameras clicking, hugs exchanged, Arabic, Hebrew and
English words flying.We were ushered
into the family room where we heard Sara’s story and witnessed the loving
connection between former patient, doctor and family.
We then sat at a 15 feet long table set for the
banquet that Sara’s grandmother had been preparing for 4 days.Multiple generations watched as we ate until
we could eat no more, hardly putting a dent in the mounds of food.Just when we thought we would burst, we were
invited back to the family room for Arab coffee, sweets, fruit and more
expressions of thanks from the family.Regrettably,
the time came for us to leave but not before each of us was given another hug,
a fresh flower and a gift to remind us of our magical afternoon in Bethlehem.
I have been fortunate to have been to our hospitals
and spoken with our doctors and patients many times over the past 20+
years.Each time, my heart is filled
with pride and gratitude that I am able to play a small role in the miracles
that take place there every day.Few of
us will ever be fortunate enough to have the experience the mission
participants had in Bethlehem but all of us can ensure the Bridge to Peace
remains open.
I encourage all of you to make or increase your annual
commitment to Hadassah and to sign up for a Hadassah Mission. Both actions will be good for your heart."
Start packing. Hadassah missions offer unforgettable journeys through Israel, whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced Israel traveler. Visit Israel soon: it’s fun, surprising, impressive, inspiring and spiritual. You will come home refreshed and renewed!
Hadassah presents PrAZE (Programs, Advocacy, Zionism, Education
Our top knotch PrAZE programs encourage discussion and interaction! You can conduct a
Hadassah’s advocacy programsin your unit! Questions? Contact Hadassah Advocacy at advocacy@hadassah.org or 212-303-8136.
Defining Zionism in Easy-to-Watch Segments:
Check out Our Latest Defining Zionism Speaker!
BRING THE CONVERSATION
TO YOUR COMMUNITY!
Chloé Valdary is a Tikvah Fellow at the Wall Street Journal Conducting research
on Israeli advocacy in America today. She talks passionately about how we can
make Zionism resonate for millennials today by showing how it adds value to
their lives—namely through pop culture. Find everything you need on myHadassah
in the Zionist/Israel Education dropdown! myhadassah > resource-files >
Zionist/Israel Education > Defining
Zionism
This
program is available for your members on the website at hadassah.org/definingzionism
The subject of
Zionism is too important to rush through. Now you can enjoy Defining Zionism at
your convenience. Speakers are filmed in several short (3 to 5 minute)
segments. Each segment is a different topic. This means you can “binge watch” a
speaker’s videos all at once, or a couple at a time.Watch now: http://www.hadassah.org/connecting-to-israel/defining-zionism/chloe-valdary.html
Gender Equity in
Medical Research:
A multitude of diseases are often misdiagnosed, or overlooked entirely, in women because medical research, diagnostic tools, and treatments are frequently based on male physiology. Even animal and cellular research subjects are overwhelmingly more male than female.
Human Trafficking:
Every day, men, women and children are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation, with 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally. Trafficking and its related crimes not only harms the victims involved; they also undermine the social, political and economic fabric of the nations where they occur by devaluing individuals, demeaning women, and increasing violence and crime.
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