Hadassah’s work

Nancy Wiadro, Presidents Council for Collier/Lee Chapter

As I write this article, Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack continues. For Collier/ Lee’s Major Donor Officer, Yael Shmookler, the attack was even more personal.

Shmookler writes, “Yair ‘Yaya’ Yaakov, 59, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, has been killed. It has been confirmed and his body is being held by Hamas in Gaza.

“Yair was my brother-in-law’s first cousin. Their family was one of the very few Egyptian Jewish families that years ago, made Aliyah to Israel. Yair was a family man with a huge heart, always willing to help everyone. He was energetic and loved enjoying life.”

The Yaakovs were among the 72 hostages taken by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, out of the 253 kidnapped that day amid the terror group’s murderous onslaught on southern Israel.

Our local Collier/Lee Hadassah Chapter is active year-round. We must raise awareness and the funds needed to support Hadassah’s two hospitals in Jerusalem. They receive and treat the most severely injured survivors of these atrocities as well as the routine patient load of 1 million patients per year. The recently opened eight-story Gandel Rehabilitation Centre, at Hadassah Hospital – Mount Scopus in East Jerusalem, continues to treat the physical rehabilitation needs plus the severe PTSD and aftermath of sexual violence at the Bat Ami Center. Collier/ Lee Hadassah’s members also support two Youth Aliyah villages, where at-risk youth find refuge, education and a path to becoming productive Israeli citizens.

In the U.S., programs and scholarships for Young Judaea help to ensure Jewish continuity from generation to generation. Hadassah supports reproductive freedom and community awareness with anti-hate and sexual violence through its “End The Silence” programs. View informative podcasts at hadassah.org/hadassahoncall.

Hadassah Associates are lifetime male affiliates. Nationally, there are 31,248 Associates who span 5-6 generations of supporters. Locally, Hadassah’s Advocacy and Education programs inform members.

Plan to join us

• Monday, Sept. 16 via Zoom, for a non-partisan presentation on upcoming Florida elections by the League of Women Voters.

• Monday, Oct. 28 live or via Zoom for our Women’s Health Symposium: “Women’s Gynecologic Cancers — Diagnosis to Wellness” at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

• Wednesday, Nov. 13 for “Antisemitism — What can we do?” This program also features the election of 2025 Collier/Lee Officers and a popular holiday Artisans’ Showcase.

• Sunday, Dec. 8 at Talis Park for the 25th Annual Major Donor and Keepers of the Gate recognition brunch with guest speaker Chair of Hadassah Medical Organization Dr. Judith Mann.

• Monday, Jan. 13, for lunch and the installation of chapter officers, at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

We welcome new and prospective members at all events throughout the year. Kindly reach out to us at: CollierLeeHadassah@gmail.com. Write “Information” in the subject line. “Hadassah Happenings” is our monthly e-bulletin. Send an email to the above address and receive yours.

To make a donation to Hadassah by credit card (preferred) go to hadassah.org/ donate and be sure to credit Collier/Lee Chapter. Or send your check, made out to “Hadassah” to: Collier/Lee Hadassah, 6017 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 319, Naples, FL 34119.

Hadassah thanks you for your support and wishes you all a safe and healthy summer!