A
t a time when American Jews
are grappling with anxiety
about Israel’s safety and their
own, Hadassah brought a group of
Jewish women together this summer to
hear about the organization’s impact.
The local chapter, which has seen a
substantial jump in membership since
Oct. 7, gathered a group of Jewish
women from Metro Detroit ahead of
the organization’s national convention
in Las Vegas to hear from two Israel-
based speakers from Hadassah about
the impact the organization is making
abroad.
The afternoon program at the
Hadassah House and an evening donor
program ahead of the organization’s
national convention in Las Vegas were
part of ongoing efforts to not only
raise awareness of what’s happening
in Israel, but also to bring community
members together in solidarity.
The community welcomed Suzanne
Patt Benvenisti of Hadassah’s Israel
Offices, who came to help get the
message out about the work of the
Hadassah Medical Organization,
Hadassah’s nonprofit medical center
in Jerusalem, says Region President
for Hadassah Greater Detroit Marcie
Rosen of Farmington Hills.
“She talked about how Hadassah is
so instrumental and what we’ve done
with the medical center’s two hospitals
and new rehab center, how they
supported the survivors and continue
to support the survivors and victims
from Oct. 7,
” she says, explaining that
Hadassah raises money for advocacy
work in the U.S. around women’s
health equity, reproductive rights,
fighting antisemitism, maintaining a
close U.S.-Israel relationship, ensuring
Israel’s security and other issues
connected to its mission.
“I think it excited [the guests]. It’s
important for all Jews to feel connected
to Israel, and there are so many
different organizations, we’re all doing
what we can to pitch in.
”
Hila Shmuel, an ICU nurse at
Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, also
spoke, talking about helping at the
Hadassah Hospital on Oct. 7 and
thereafter, says Rosen, adding that
current events have brought new
Detroit Hadassah participants out of
the woodwork.
“They’re learning or realizing the
importance of getting involved again,
”
Rosen explains, adding that Jewish
people are feeling isolated in the
current circumstances. “We’re seeking
each other out for comfort and, post-
Covid, people are looking to be social.
”
Rosen, who’s been involved for seven
years, says Hadassah has opened her
eyes to Israel-related issues and made
her feel more connected to Israel and
its people.
Hadassah also runs a group called
Evolve in Detroit for women in their
mid-20s to mid-50s, which recently
put together packages for kids in Israel
who lost everything because of the war.
Joan Chernoff-Epstein of
Birmingham hosted the Israel-focused
evening donor event at her home.
“Hadassah brings [us] together,
” she
says, adding that she believes the event
attracted more participants because of
Organization sees an uptick in
women wanting to get involved.
Hadassah:
Connecting
Women
to Israel
KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
The Evolve in Detroit group is part
of Evolve Hadassah: The Next
Generation, which is engaging
the next generation of Hadassah
members and leaders across
the U.S. through experiences
that bridge social, philanthropic
and advocacy activities. Evolve
in Detroit believes in the power
of bringing women together
to form lifelong bonds while
making lasting change in their
communities and the world.
The next event, “Starting
Off Sweet: An Evening of
Baking, Bonding, Learning
and Advocating,” takes place
Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7-8:30
p.m. at Hadassah House, 5030
Orchard Lake Road in West
Bloomfield.
From beekeeper Steve
Kotovich, learn how honey is
harvested and dip your apple in
honey straight from the source.
Learn how to make honey
cake with baker and chef Mimi
Markofsky and participate in
advocacy work to help make a
difference in the new year.
You will leave the event with
new friends, a pan of honey cake
and baking instructions — and the
satisfaction of knowing that you
have already made a difference in
the world.
Festive refreshments will be
served.
Tickets are $18 and can be
reserved at events.hadassah.
org/EvolveSweet. For more
information, contact Evolve@
hadassah.org or call (248) 683-
5030.
Evolve in Detroit
Shelly Rubenfire, Abby Epstein,
Lacey Foon and Malka Torgow
Hila Shmuel, ICU trauma
nurse at Hadassah Hospital
32 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2024