Advocacy and miracles

Joyce Toub, Collier/Lee Hadassah President

As I write this message, it is still summer. And as I think back upon this year and look forward to the High Holidays, I am astonished at how much has happened. What a year!

Hadassah has stepped up to meet every challenge and continues to innovate and expand its services. Here are a few recent examples:

• Hadassah’s involvement in aiding those fleeing from war-torn Ukraine has been well documented. As the war continues to intensify, Hadassah is ramping up operations to help deal with the unprecedented humanitarian disaster.

• The reversal of Roe vs. Wade has augmented Hadassah’s advocacy that all women should be able to have reproductive rights.

• Hadassah has been organizing an effort in the U.S. Congress to protect children from classrooms that teach hatred and antisemitism.

• Hadassah demands that Holocaust education is essential to combat the Holocaust deniers and those who think the content is too sensitive. Holocaust education teaches tolerance, diversity and inclusion so we can all live in a better world. If taught correctly and effectively, it can open minds in numerous ways to address values, cultural beliefs, human rights, justice and reflections on humanity. These lessons are certainly relevant today.

Hadassah members and supporters are proud to be partners with Hadassah’s health care superheroes, who save lives every day. There’s the eye doctor who made a blind patient see. An ALS researcher who showed that patients with positive attitudes feel less pain. A cardiologist who was the first in Israel to repair a defective aortal aneurysm with minimum catheterization instead of performing open-heart surgery with its many risks. And last month, Hadassah performed six liver and six kidney transplants in less than two weeks.

This year, Collier/Lee Hadassah will give you the opportunity to learn more each month about advocacy and miracles we can all be proud of. Please mark your calendars for:

• Oct. 24 – The League of Women Voters will address us via Zoom

• Nov. 15 – Welcome back luncheon at Imperial Golf Club, featuring Hadassah’s Crafty Women and Artistic Vendor Showcase

• Dec. 4 – Annual major donor recognition event at Old Cypress Country Club

During The High Holidays, we try to correct wrongs or omissions by extending compassion to others. Our focus is on prayer, reflection and generosity. What better place is there to do this than to become involved in your community and Hadassah? Please join us! You’ll be contributing to the benefit of all people everywhere and there are many ways you can donate.

I want to wish you and your families a wonderful New Year, 5783! May you and your loved ones be inscribed for a year filled with health, joy and peace.

L’ Shanah Tovah.