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Snippets from Region Chair Leah Bloom

This month we are featuring an article by Leah Bloom, Hadassah Medical Organization Chair for the Region!

News From Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO)
Breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity, Hadassah Medical Organization is dedicated to providing advanced medical care to all, irrespective of background. Recognized for its progressive ethos, Hadassah's commitment to humanity garnered a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2005.

Spotlight on: Bat Ami Center for Victims of Sexual Assault

• Providing emergency services for victims of sexual assault in Jerusalem and surrounding areas (catering to a population of over 1.2 million)
• Discreet three-room suite offers a comforting environment, featuring a lounge-style interview room stocked with essentials like a mini-refrigerator, coffee, tea, and cookies, alongside an examination room equipped for both medical and forensic assessments
• Founded in 2009 by the visionary Dr. Sagit Arbel-Alon
• Operating seamlessly as both an emergency room and a comprehensive treatment center
• Team consists of 14 ob-gyns, 14 nurses, numerous pediatricians, and 30 social workers
• Available 24/7, every single day of the year

With cutting-edge technology like the $28,500 state-of-the-art colposcope generously provided by Hadassah-Australia, Bat Ami ensures meticulous photo and video documentation crucial for legal proceedings.

We did it! Hadassah Neurim Youth Village Improvements are Done

I’m thrilled to be able to see these renovated facilities in a few days! 

-Susan 

From Michele Rubin
Youth Aliyah, Co-Chair and National Board Member

We’d like to extend a special thank you to the Central Pacific Coast Region for fundraising for Youth Aliyah that resulted in a donation of renovating three rooms in the living quarters at Hadassah Neurim Youth Village (photo below). As you can see, the rooms are a beautiful, comfortable and relaxing space for our children to spend time together. 

Thank you Central Pacific Coast Region!

Region Meetings - All are Invited!

Put on your calendars now, please!
Sunday, June 2nd, 9:30 - 11:00 am (by Zoom)

Hear the Latest News on Israel NOW.
Board Meeting featuring the Election of the Region Nominating Committee

We will have speakers who will update us on the latest developments on the ground.

Election of the Region Nominating Committee will take place. Chapter Presidents and Region Board Members are eligible to serve on the Nominating Committee. 

Save the Date
Sunday, September 8th, Time TBD

Region Retreat and Board Meeting (in person, held in the Bay Area, location TBD)

Details forthcoming…but if you’re interested in serving on the planning team, please notify Karen Bloom (kbloom@hadassah.org) or Susan Cohen Grossman (scgrossman@hadassah.org) by May 31st.

Region Events

Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, Capitol Summit
Join us on May 14th - 15th

Register here: https://jpac-cal.org/capitol-summit/

Please contact Region Advocacy VP, Jane Jacobson, jane.j.jacobson@gmail.com if you’re planning to attend as a Hadassah representative. Both Hadassah regions in CA (Central Pacific Coast and Hadassah Southern CA) will gather for lunch and briefings prior to the JPAC event. JOIN US!

IMPORTANT NOTE: A region subvention may be available after event completion but funding needs to be requested prior to event start. Please send a note to the Region President (scgrossman@hadassah.org) to inquire about the subvention.

Membership Celebration Walk!
Sunday, May 19th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Let’s get out in the sunshine and fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors for a good cause!

Register for $18 at events.hadassah.org/CPCMembershipCelebrationWalk
Held in San Francisco • Location provided upon RSVP

Bring a friend! Make connections with other Jewish women who support Israel! We welcome new members! Path is family friendly and easy/no elevation.
Optional: You can also walk in your neighborhood with friends and still support Hadassah and this event with your donation.

All Members and those interested in finding out more about Hadassah are welcome!

Susie Fishman, Region Membership VP and Tory Roman, Region Evolve Chair, will set up the tailgate and will lead the walk.
Questions? Contact Susie (hadassahsusie@gmail.com)

National Hadassah Events

Yom Hashoah 2024
Monday, May 6th at 10:00 am Pacific

So few survivors are still left. . . don’t miss the opportunity to hear this first hand account! Join us for One Woman Remembers, a Zoom event featuring the remarkable story of Toby Levy. 

Register at events.blackthorn.io/en/8c4sgS87/g/tws32mT8YD/yom-hashoah-2024-one-woman-remembers-featuring-toby-levy-4a3d8cm7zM/overview.

Being Jewish on Campus
Tuesday, May 7th at 4:00 pm Pacific or 5:30 pm Pacific

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 (4:00 pm Pacific) at https://tinyurl.com/YJHillelteensession 

Register for the parent session (5:30 pm Pacific) at https://tinyurl.com/YJHillelparentsession

Book Discussion: Nine Tenths of the Law
Thursday, May 16th at 5:00 pm Pacific

Join the Attorney and Judges Council discussion with Council and Solano-Napa Chapter member Claudia Hagadus Long, discussing her book, Nine Tenths of the Law. It’s a great book (says your Region President, Susan) so you might wish to download to your Kindle ahead of this event and read it!

Register here.

Hadassah Magazine Panel Discussion
Thursday, May 23rd at 9:30 am Pacific

Hadassah Magazine Executive Editor Lisa Hostein leads a panel discussion with top English-language journalists in Israel. Ruth Marks Eglash (Jewish Insider), Uriel Heilman (JTA) and Jessica Steinberg (The Times of Israel), all regular contributors to the magazine, will share their experiences post-October 7. 

Register at events.blackthorn.io/en/8c4sgS87/g/tws32mT8YD/behind-the-headlines-living-in-and-covering-israel-at-war-4a3d8cm7x1/overview

Chapter Events

All are welcome! You do not need to belong to the chapter to attend.

Berkeley Chapter

Thursday, May 16th at 1:00 pm Pacific – Book Group Meeting via Zoom
Currently reading One Hundred Saturdays by Michael Frank. Contact Estie (estie.hudes@ucsf.edu) for more information.

Diablo Valley Chapter

Wednesdays, May 8th and 22nd at 1:30 pm - Diablo Valley Chapter Study Group

Study group hosted by Paula Schiff meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Contact dvhadassah@gmail.com for more details!

Thursday, May 16th at 10:00 am Pacific - Diablo Valley Chapter Book Group

The Diablo Valley Hadassah book group meets at Congregation B'nai Shalom in Walnut Creek. Everyone is welcome! In May, we will discuss Kantika by Elizabeth Graver.

Thursday, June 27th - Save the Date! Game Day at Rossmoor

For details or to help plan the event, please contact dvhadassah@gmail.com.

Kesher Oak Chapter

Sunday, May 5th at 2:00 pm Pacific – Kesher Oak Afternoon Tea Fundraiser

Philanthropy, entertainment and elegance in support of Hadassah’s work in Israel!

Register at events.hadassah.org/AfternoonTea

Oakland Ruach + Kesher Oak Chapters

Wednesday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm Pacific – Join a Casual Social Gathering

Two chapters in Oakland will gather at a member's home in Oakland. Please contact Karen Bloom (kbloom@hadassah.org) or Leah Bloom (ms.leahbloom@gmail.com) for details.

Marin Chapter

Monday, May 6th at 1:30 pm Pacific – Marin Hadassah Book Chat

Join us to discuss The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen. Register at events.hadassah.org/MarinBookChat or contact Gail Berkowitz (gberkow612@gmail.com) for more information.

Sacramento Chapter

Wednesdays, May 8th and 22nd at 9:45 am Pacific – Jessie Yosphi Study Group

Currently reading My Jewish Year by Abigail Pegrebin. For details, contact Dee Miller (DeeMLCSisterhood@gmail.com).

Solano-Napa Chapter

Sunday, May 19th at 5:00 pm Pacific – Zoom Film Discussion of "Abe"

Join for a film discussion of "Abe," facilitated by Jan Leventhal. Register at events.hadassah.org/Abe or contact Jan at janetbleventhal@hotmail.com for more details.

Sunday, May 5th at 12:00pm – Rosh Chodesh Iyar Gathering

Jewish women gather to observe the New Moon, to learn, to connect and to have fun together. Join us to reflect on the upcoming month of Iyar. Preliminary topics may cover an eye-witness experience of the recent solar eclipse, a check in on the Omer count, give updates on Hadassah’s support of Israel during this war, and much more. Note the new time for this meeting!

Please register at events.hadassah.org/Iyar5784. Contact Sabine Goerke-Shrode at solanonapa@hadassah.org with questions.

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

Every contribution made to Hadassah is meaningful and helps us fulfill our mission in one way or another. As with any large organization with a mission that comprises several objectives, it is understandable for Hadassah’s donors – even those who specify the designation of their gift –to ask, “Where does my money actually go?” The answer to that question is not complicated, but it does depend on the type of gift a donor selects.

[The HWZOA Donations Policy - Under the Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA) policy, donations of less than that of a major gift where the destination of the gift is not specified will be used for unrestricted purposes for the Hadassah Medical Organization, Young Judaea, or Youth Aliyah. There are exclusions to this policy: funds below that of a major gift which are specifically pledged, solicited or received by Hadassah for Young Judaea scholarships or general support; payments made on open donation pledges or other agreements, or contributions to existing designated endowments or other funds; and campaigns, gifts, programs, or any other use as otherwise determined by Hadassah.]

When you give to Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) without designating your contribution to one of our mission areas, your gift allows Hadassah to apply those funds where they are needed most. By contributing to Hadassah with an undesignated gift, you are supporting Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), Youth Aliyah, Young Judaea, and our domestic programs that focus on advocacy, education, health and wellness, and engagement initiatives in support of our core mission areas.

When you designate your gift to Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), which includes the Hadassah Ein Kerem and Hadassah Mount Scopus hospitals in Jerusalem, you are supporting high priority projects, facilities and equipment that ensure our ability to deliver exemplary clinical care and conduct cutting-edge research. Your gift helps to create and sustain state-of-the-art environments where our doctors, nurses, researchers, technicians and other caregivers provide compassionate healing and intelligent medicine for the people of Israel and beyond.

When you give to Youth Aliyah, your donation helps young immigrants and at-risk native Israeli youth receive a full spectrum of help — shelter, food, counseling, education and other supportive services. From Hebrew lessons and classes on Jewish heritage to athletics and art, participants in the program get the care and attention needed to become productive members of Israeli society.

When you give to Young Judaea, your donation provides general support of Young Judaea initiatives, which include scholarships and opportunities that help American children and young adults ensure their passion for Jewish life and Israel while giving them the tools they need to become strong leaders of tomorrow.

Wherever your gift is directed within Hadassah, you can be assured that we work diligently to maximize the impact of your generosity, without which none of the indispensable components of our mission would be possible. At Hadassah, we believe that each of us has the power to heal our world. Together. Thank you for giving to Hadassah.

As proud Zionists, we put Jewish values into action to create community and ensure an enduring Israel. Through education, advocacy and advancing medicine, join us as we cultivate these values in future generations and work passionately to create a strong Israel for all of us.

If you know of a “Next Generation” person who might be interested, we have people ready and willing to reach out and engage with her! Contact Susan (scgrossman@hadassah.org) who will refer you to our region’s Evolve Chair, Tory Roman.