Examples of the triumph of the Jewish spirit

Joyce Toub, Collier/Lee Hadassah President

Iwant to share with you some highlights from the most recent issue of our award-winning Hadassah magazine.

Holocaust Remembrance Day was Jan. 27th, marking 78 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. Since then, we’ve seen many ways that the triumph of the Jewish spirit has been realized. One example is Agnes Keleti. At this writing, she is the oldest living Olympian. In January, she celebrated her 102nd birthday. Agnes won 10 Olympic metals for Hungary — five of them gold — after surviving the Holocaust!

Another example is Andrea Videlefsky, president of the nonprofit Holocaust education and awareness organization, Am Israel Chai, in Atlanta, Georgia. She noticed that daffodils, with their six petal yellow blooms, reminded her of the yellow stars of David that the Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust. She began the Daffodil Project in 2010. So far, she has raised funds and helped to plant 750,000 daffodil bulbs in 372 locations around the world. The group is halfway to completing its goal of planting 1.5 million, the number of Jewish children who perished.

From planting daffodils to planting trees … what a wonderful way to honor Tu B’Shvat, celebrated Feb. 6. Jewish law and ethics mandate that we must preserve, protect and cherish this Earth, invoking themes of environmental advocacy. We can help change communities and enlighten our citizens through education.

A medical revolution was created when mRNA vaccines were produced to protect people from COVID-19. While it took decades to develop vaccines for smallpox, measles, polio and so many other diseases, a COVID-19 vaccination using mRNA was produced in less than one year! The Hadassah Cancer Research Center, Hebrew University – Hadassah Medical School and pharmaceutical giant Merck are in partnership to try to use this mRNA technology to treat cancer.

Dr. Tamar Perri, an expert in gynecological cancers, came to Hadassah in January 2021 to establish and run the Gynecologic Oncology Center. Ovarian cancer is usually asymptomatic and goes undetected until the disease is advanced. However, if it is discovered in its early stages, before it spreads, its cure rate is 95%. After it metastasizes, the prognosis is less favorable.

Dr. Perri is using BRCA gene testing to see if there are any mutations present and is using BRCA inhibitors, a class of cancer-fighting drugs. This new cancer center is a one-stop shop with diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in one place. That fosters better and more comprehensive care, whether it’s advanced therapy, surgery, preserving fertility or minimizing side effects.

Closer to home, at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami Beach, artist Bonnie Lautenberg has expressed what’s on her mind, reacting to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. She created an image of the Statue of Liberty with tears running down her cheeks. It’s called “Tears of Roe” and it expresses how devastated she and many women felt. Lady Liberty, the first image you see arriving in New York harbor, represents freedom to all.

The Genesis Prize (the Jewish Nobel Prize) for 2023 was awarded to Jewish activists and NGOs for their work supporting the Ukrainian people in the wake of the humanitarian crisis. This includes Hadassah Medical Organization and Hadassah International. Given the extraordinary circumstances of the war, the destruction and human suffering on a scale not seen since WWII, Hadassah, committed to healing, is grateful to their generous donors who raised nearly $1.7 million to make Hadassah’s humanitarian efforts possible!

Here in Southwest Florida, we hope you’ll join us at Collier/Lee Hadassah’s next major event (if you get to read this article before the event happens). Our Inspiring Women luncheon on Feb. 26 will celebrate the achievements of three women while supporting Hadassah Medical Organization’s world-class hospitals.

Rounding out our activities for the next few weeks, mark your calendars for Hadassah Shabbat on March 3 at Temple Shalom and March 4 at Beth Tikvah. We hope to see you participate with us!