Making a difference together

Joyce Toub, Collier/Lee Hadassah President

I just returned from a workshop at Beth Tikvah that emphasized how important the concept of community is. After a discussion of “I” and “We” and belief systems, independent groups were formed with 4 to 5 people, with each group trying to solve a problem. But we realized we couldn’t do it on our own; we needed the help of other surrounding groups. This was one great analogy playing out, showing us the importance of interactions in society.

We couldn’t do it on Zoom because there was no one place to start, no one step-by-step method to follow; we each had our own individual ways of solving codes and our own techniques of how to get from one point to another. Why am I telling you all this?

Whether it’s Synagogue, Temple, Federation or Hadassah, we are all communities that need each other. We need to interact, face-to-face, in person when the time is right! We can collaborate with each other, using the strengths of each individual. For now, let’s concentrate on Collier/Lee Hadassah.

Collier/Lee Hadassah is a group of dedicated women trying to fund two world-class medical and research centers in Israel. In America, and many other international locations, Hadassah has shared knowledge and expertise, especially trying to fight our current enemy, COVID-19. Hadassah Medical Organization — an ultramodern complex that rivals the fi nest hospitals and research facilities anywhere in the world — has served as a beacon of healing.

Hadassah also sponsors youth Aliyah villages that provide education, psychological support and love — all in a safe and secure environment that fosters independence, self-esteem and success. The villages serve students who have been unsuccessful in other educational frameworks and are at risk of being abandoned to the streets. These villages take in broken children and make them whole.

We women of Collier/Lee Hadassah are trying to overcome the challenge of this time when we cannot meet in person. We care and we are trying to entertain and educate using Zoom presentations. We are giving you a chance to help us help others heal. Please participate in our excellent upcoming programs.

On March 13, we will have a very special program on Inspiring Women. It was originally planned as an in-person tribute but will now be held as a Zoom webinar in which the Lynn Wilner Award, in recognition of the chapter’s late past president who inspired so many to join and become active in Hadassah, will be presented to the honorees.

It’s exciting to recognize our honorees: Naomi Bloom, Linda Oberhaus, Robin Mintz and Susan Pittelman, not only for their individual accomplishments, but for their impact. Geared to the community as well as Hadassah members, attendees and supporters of these Inspiring Women will have the opportunity to celebrate their talents, gifts and passion for what they do through this event. Please look for our announcements in this paper and online.

The women’s Zionist organization of America had its first meeting on Purim in 1912. The group took the name Hadassah, the Hebrew name for Esther, for their organization and continued her legacy of bravery and action. The new organization’s first act was to collect money for Palestine to provide pasteurized milk to infants and new mothers, and to eradicate trachoma, an infection that was robbing thousands of their vision. The organization, 110 years later, must still collect funds to maintain these prestigious hospitals.

To celebrate Hadassah’s 110th birthday, we are having a special Hadassah Shabbat at Temple Shalom on March 18, and a special Hadassah Shabbat at Beth Tikvah on March 19. Please join us in celebrating 110 years for this wonderful organization.