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 

