Hadassah focuses on helping immigrants and refugees

Joyce Toub, Collier/Lee Hadassah President

We have just celebrated Passover, recounting the story of our Exodus from Egypt by a “mixed multitude.” Since its inception, Hadassah has focused on helping immigrants and refugees, studying their issues from cultural and historical perspectives.

Today’s refugees from many lands in turmoil remind us that the socialization of people must be built on kindness; we must be a beacon to humanity by welcoming the stranger and saving lives.

Our recent Hadassah magazine highlights the plight of Mizrahi Jews. Their heritage, their secular and cultural characteristics of Judaism are so foreign to Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews. Hence, they experience prejudice for being Jewish from both Jews and non-Jews. Too often, they are victims of racism as well as antisemitism.

Mizrahim followed the lead of our ancestors, with their own modern-day departure from Arab lands: Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and others. It’s much the same path that Jews took during the Exodus.

National Hadassah President Rhoda Smolow wrote that we live in an era of diversity awareness, where Israel is trying to integrate Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews.

Israelis and many Jews around the world observe three important celebrations that come immediately after Passover. The first is Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, starting at sundown on April 17. At sundown on April 24, Yom Hazikaron begins. That is Israel’s Memorial Day to remember those who died fighting to establish the state of Israel, as well as all military personnel killed in active duty. That’s followed the next day by Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, marking the official date when the state of Israel was established.

Next month, I hope to elaborate on Hadassah‘s mini medical miracles. Please look forward to our new “Expanding Horizons Plus,” which will include some live and some Zoom presentations.

Mark your calendar

April 27 at 10:30 a.m. | A Remembrance of Raoul Wallenberg, A Righteous Gentile

Judit Price will discuss this Swedish diplomat, a humanitarian and hero who saved 90,000 Jews from the gas chambers, including Price and her mother.

May 10 at 10:30 a.m.

The Conversation Rabbi Adam Miller, senior rabbi of Temple Shalom, will lead an interactive discussion on antisemitism.

May 22 at 3:30 p.m. | Stephani Bakes

Bakery chef Stephani Schwartz is back by popular demand with a Zoom presentation where she will share her skill and recipes.

I am looking forward to seeing you at all or upcoming events!