Message from the President, Ellen Burke

As many of you, I have been thinking about my role as a Jewish woman in America and my role, if any, in Zionism. I long ago realized I’m a Zionist because I strongly believe in the necessity of a Jewish state. But being a Zionist is not enough today, I have to act on my Zionism. That’s where Hadassah comes in again, as it does with so many things in my life. 

We all have our favorite Hadassah projects that we talk to others about. When I first came to Hadassah, it was Youth Aliyah and it is still very important to me. But as I learn more, I marvel at the wonders of our medical research and how it helps so many around  the world. 

Today, I find myself talking about how we’re taking care of Israeli citizens and soldiers, both physically and psychologically [see the article further down about Dush, the Medical Clown]. Hadassah has always stepped up to be there for what’s needed, not only in Israel but through advocacy here at home. I’m so comforted knowing that my voice and actions, when joined with 300,000 others, makes a difference.

While this year is more poignant because of the war, every spring we go on an emotional roller coaster of Yom HaZikaron, immediately followed by the joy and miracle of Yom Ha’Atzmaut. If you can, join with your community in honoring and celebrating these important dates for our people.

Ellen Burke
Hadassah Desert-Mountain Region President

The Latest Healing Miracles from Hadassah

The Mishna (Sanhedrin4:5) says
“anyone who saves a life is as if he saved an entire world."
See the amazing difference Hadassah keeps making. Every day.
Click here to read more stories about Hadassah’s life saving work.

Hadassah Surgeons Use Advanced 3D Technology to Rebuild Soldier’s Knee
February 2, 2024

Shilo lost his knee in the war.
Hadassah doctors successfully reconstructed it surgically using a 3D printer and a bone taken from his pelvis.

Shilo Segev was shot in the leg while serving in Gaza, ending up in an alley as terrorists continued firing at him.

Evacuated by helicopter to Hadassah Ein Kerem, Shilo underwent emergency orthopedic surgery. Using a 3D printer from Stratasys, the doctors built a model to guide the reconstruction of Shiloh’s knee, ensuring accuracy and planning.

Shilo expressed gratitude to Hadassah, saying, “I’m fortunate to have ended up in the hands of a professional team that understands bone restoration and reconstruction.” He is already undergoing restorative physiotherapy training and expressed optimism about the improvement in functioning and eagerly anticipated significant rehabilitation. To read more, click here.

Hadassah Rehab Facility Uses Anti-Gravity Device To Heal Wounded Medic
January 8, 2024 

One wounded combat medic is able to receive life-saving treatment thanks to groundbreaking rehabilitation technology.

Dvir is a Nahal Brigade combat medic and during the first days of the war against Hamas, shrapnel from a mortar shell hit his leg. Despite being wounded he applied a tourniquet to his leg and continued to help everyone around him. He even managed to deliver medical equipment to his wounded comrades as bullets whistled overhead. Once backups arrived he was heli-lifted to Hadassah Ein Kerem.

Dvir is now being retaught how to walk on an anti-gravity rehabilitation device that simulates a zero-weight environment, similar to those used by NASA for astronauts. “When I train on the device, I feel as if I am walking like before, before the injury,” Dvir said. Dvir steps a little and floats with air flowing from below, allowing him to step on his leg in an incomplete, measured, and supervised manner almost immediately after surgery.

“Every day, with the physical therapy and the use of the devices I train on, I make more progress and am already walking with crutches.” To read more, click here.

David Barushi, Hadassah Medical Clown, offers these words of wisdom: “You can’t always change the situation, but you can almost always change the point of view of reality.” How much do you know about the Hadassah clowns? Try the quiz.

1. Medical clowns work exclusively for the pediatric department.

1. True or False

2. In describing medical clowning, David Barashi said: “You bring a very positive dynamic and energy. This is a show. It’s not something that you write down before. You improvise with your partner." Who is the partner?

1. The doctor
2. The nurse or technician
3. The patient

3. After October 7th, medical clowns accompanied every soldier, whether at Hadassah or an IDF hospital. They also visited the displaced in hotels around the country. Why?

1. To make them laugh
2. To lift their spirits
3. To take away some of the sadness and create trust
4. To return to a tone of joy and optimism.

1. Humanitarian clowning
2. Restorative/Rehabilitative
3. Medical clowning
4. Mourning clowning

5. Hadassah clowns will often travel abroad to assist Hadassah/IDF doctors in disaster areas. Identify the one area they did not go?

1. Nepal
2. Haiti
3. Japan
4. Ethiopia

6. When David Barashi works with soldiers his “uniform” is:

1. A clown
2. Scrubs
3. IDF uniform with the rank Chief of Staff
4. Civilian clothes

Click here to read: Tour Hadassah with a medical clown.

Dear Aunt Goldie,
It will soon be Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, and I want to give my grandchildren a very special gift. What do you suggest?
- Unsure in Utah

Dear Unsure in Utah,
A wonderful and lasting gift is to make your grandchildren Hadassah members for life. It’s only $250 to make a granddaughter a Hadassah Life Member or to make a grandson a Hadassah Associate. 

Dear Aunt Goldie,
My kids spend all summer vegging out in front of the TV. Any suggestions for a better way for them to spend their summer?
- Stuck in the Suburbs

Dear Stuck in the Suburbs,
I have the perfect solution, Young Judaea Summer Camps. Not only will the kids have the time of their lives, they’ll learn pride in Judaism and develop a strong love of Israel. Young Judaea also has Israel Summer Programs for teens.

When I give to Hadassah, where does my money go?

In a nutshell: it depends on the type of gift you select. Every contribution is meaningful and helps us fulfill our mission in one way or another.

A gift to Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), which includes the Hadassah Ein Kerem and Hadassah Mount Scopus hospitals in Jerusalem, supports high priority projects, facilities and equipment that ensure our ability to deliver exemplary clinical care and conduct cutting-edge research. And yes, it also goes for toilet paper.

A gift to Youth Aliyah helps young immigrants and at-risk native Israeli youth receive a full spectrum of help — shelter, food, counseling, education and other supportive services.

A gift to Young Judaea supports Young Judaea scholarships and opportunities that help American children and young adults ensure their passion for Jewish life and Israel.

Although many of us have “favorite” projects, please consider an undesignated gift, allowing Hadassah to use your gift where it’s needed most.

We appreciate all gifts. Each is life-enhancing, life-changing. At Hadassah, we believe that each of us has the power to heal our world. Together. We thank you for giving to Hadassah. 

For more detail, click here. To donate, click here.

The new Gandel Rehabilitation Center, Mount Scopus; thumbs up for Camp Young Judaea; Youth Aliyah students at their farm

Hadassah Treats a Hamas Terrorist

You may have heard or read articles about a Hamas terrorist being treated at Hadassah Hospital Mt. Scopus. This was a decision by the IDF and Ministry of Health to have the patient brought to and stabilized at Hadassah Mt. Scopus. Please remember, we do not have "options" as to who they state must come to us. Below, Yoram Weiss, Director General of HMO, explains.

In principal, Hamas terrorists are being treated in a dedicated medical facility run by the IDF. However, in severe cases that exceed the capabilities of this facility or the detention center, they are transferred to Israeli hospitals. We are not consulted prior to transfer by the IDF or the Ministry of Health. All Israeli hospitals participate in this "effort".

Sometimes, these detainees cause some tensions as we have seen with the current case at Hadassah Mt. Scopus. Our job as medical professionals is to stabilize the patient so that he can be transferred ASAP back to the IDF facility. And this is what the team at Mt. Scopus has done!

Please remember that the State of Israel and the Jewish people differ from Hamas by the fact that we obey the Geneva Convention, the Hippocratic Oath and we respect the rules of law.

When a Clown Meets Bereavement and Post-Trauma
Excerpts from an article by Shimon Cohen

David Barashi, 'Dush' (pictured on the left with coworker Keren), manages the clown unit at Hadassah, but since the outbreak of the war he works with the IDF’s wounded. He considers this work to be the highlight of a mission that is so necessary these days.  

We talked with him about meeting the wounded warriors, about the moments of difficulty and tension between clowning and loss.  "October 7, a completely different reality. The wounded and masses arrived in hysteria – soldiers and civilians. We don't make them laugh and lift their spirits but to help them hold their sadness. We do not try to raise the mood, but to see those in the place of the most pain and suffering, and take away some of their sadness.

This is called Restorative Clowning, a field I developed with clinical psychologist Yoram Ben Yehuda who lost his son Itamar on October 7. In 2016, we began to develop a field of rehabilitative clowning for victims of hostilities and bereavement. As the son of an IDF disabled person, it was important for me to touch the invisible wound that exists in the State of Israel, which is post-trauma, bereavement and the shock of battle.

Begin with in-depth conversations about everything, about life, October 7, about the horror and the nightmare, about the fallen comrades and sanctifying their memory. These conversations reach unexpected depths and is very meaningful to many of the soldiers. We learn everything about them, then we give them tasks: Surprise your younger brother and tell us how you did it; on Thursdays I tell them to bring their mother a bouquet of flowers, challah, cake or anything that strengthens family, home, giving and appreciation. You have to keep them active all the time and bring them to the place where they return love to those who love them. They are told to surprise others and the reaction of the surprise is the one that moves them. They tell all about these exchanges and it brings them back to the same point of excitement, and that's where you want them to be, because they are in nightmares, with a lack of appetite, angry and guilty. That is our role together with the army psychologists and the wonderful reserve professionals.

You meet the wonderful builders of our country who gave everything they had in the most difficult moments we have known as a people. When you meet them and realize how much of a visible miracle it is that they are here you are obliged to return them to their best, to the desire to continue living and creating life. We do this in many ways, including through clowning. We run a 75-minute workshop to strengthen resources of humor, joy of life, joy, openness, childhood memories, positive signs that they take with them later and it strengthens them before the difficult journey ahead of them.”

Read more about Dush here.
Click here to read the entire article.
Click here to donate.

Hadassah is always looking to the future and preparing for the next challenge. By remembering Hadassah in your estate plan, you make it possible for us to plan with confidence, knowing that we will be able to continue our mission of healing the sick, curing disease, promoting Jewish leadership, and empowering Jewish youth in Israel and the US.

All bequests — regardless of size — truly make a difference.

Making a bequest to Hadassah may be as simple as inserting a sentence into your will or living trust.

“I hereby give and bequeath to Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (EIN 13-1656651), a not-for-profit corporation having its principal offices currently located in New York, NY [$_____or ___% of my residuary estate], to be used for its general purposes.”

IS HADASSAH ALREADY IN YOUR WILL? LET US KNOW.

If you have named Hadassah in your will or trust, please tell us. We would be honored to invite you to join Hadassah’s 1912 Legacy Society, which recognizes our members and friends who are including a gift to Hadassah in their estate plan.

We are here to help! Contact Hadassah’s Planned Giving & Estates Department, 800.428.8884 or giving@hadassah.org, if you would like more information about leaving a legacy gift to Hadassah.

The information and content contained herein are intended for educational purposes only and are not intended to provide legal, tax or other professional advice or to be relied upon. For such advice, please consult with an attorney, tax advisor or accountant. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State income/estate taxes and/or other state laws may impact your individual results.

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
©2024 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah and the H logo are registered trademarks of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

Hadassah’s 2024 National Conference will be in Las Vegas from July 28-30!

Join us for only-in-Vegas experiences, top-tier speakers, and something new – Freestyle Events, with the flexibility of à la carte scheduling.
More details coming soon.

Being Jewish on Campus
A Young Judaea and Hillel International Collaboration
TWO virtual sessions, one for teens and one for parents!

In today’s post-10/7 landscape, the task of selecting the perfect college for your child can feel daunting. Join Young Judaea in collaboration with Hillel International on Tuesday, May 7th for TWO virtual sessions, one for teens, and one for parents. Hillel experts will speak on navigating Jewish life on campus, making the right college choice, and moving into this next chapter of life confidently. 

Register for the teen session at https://tinyurl.com/YJHillelteensession
Register for the parent session at https://tinyurl.com/YJHillelparentsession

Hadassah Medical Clowns.
Answers to the Quiz.

1. False, clowns serve a purpose for everyone. Clowns are present in our pediatric in-patient and intensive care units, outpatient clinics, acute-care waiting rooms, physical therapy department, bone marrow transplant and burns and pediatric AIDS units, reminding young patients that they are more than just their illness. After October 7th, they helped coordinate volunteers in the hospital. Read more here.

2. a, b, c “Your partner, sometimes he’s a very sick patient. Sometimes he’s a doctor or a nurse, but they are your partner – and they are part of the creation.”

3. c, and ultimately d

4. b, Restorative/Rehabilitative clowning. In 2016 David Barushi and clinical psychologist Yoram Ben Yehuda developed Rehabilitative Clowning for victims of hostilities and bereavement. 

Humanitarian clowning provides empathy, compassion, love, understanding, and support to those living in hardship. See Dream Doctors.

Medical clowns “have made an extraordinary impact. They help acutely ill children lose their fear of hospitalization and treatment…they open the way for the medical staff as well.”  -Prof. Dan Engelhard

Mourning clowning acknowledged the need for support in situations of grief and mourning.

5. f, Japan

6. a and c

Read more about the medical clowns from these excellent articles:

Nov 24, 2021, Jan 22, 2024, Jan 23, 2024, April 11, 2024