Hadassah Has Heart - In Our Israeli Hospitals and in Charlotte

Charlotte Jewish News, February 2025

By Aileen Greenberg-Kriner

February is American Heart Month, but Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) works year-round to fight heart disease and advance heart health. Since October 7, 2023, stress levels, which often lead to heart problems, have been understandably high, especially for Israeli soldiers, the families they left at home, displaced residents, and people running to bomb shelters whenever the sirens wail.

The Irma and Paul Milstein Heart Center at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, is the most advanced cardiac center in Israel. Cardiologists and other specialists use state-of-the-art equipment to address complex heart issues and do groundbreaking research. The Milstein Heart Center focuses on many cardiac specialties:

The Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Center for Women is engaged in education and research about gender heart health issues. Heart disease is the #1 killer worldwide, but women’s symptoms are often different from men’s. Women are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. The Center raises awareness of women’s distinctive heart attack warning signs, advocates for women’s health, provides outreach to high-risk women, and empowers women to take charge of their heart health.

HMO’s Cardio-Oncology Center, which explores the relationship between heart disease and cancer, has grown significantly in recent years, primarily due to higher success rates of cancer treatments. Unfortunately, some cancer treatments can negatively affect cardiovascular health. In early 2024, the prestigious International Cardio-Oncology Society declared HMO’s Cardio-Oncology Center as Israel’s first Center of Excellence for its multidisciplinary approach to cardiology, oncology, and hematology that results in best-practice patient treatment.

Israel’s first Center for Cardiogenetics opened in 2019 and established HMO as the leader in the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases of the cardiovascular system in the Middle East. Genetic testing has become an essential part of the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary heart disease. Doctors can determine the genetic basis of diseases of the heart muscle, abnormalities in heart cell proteins that cause heart arrhythmias, and vascular diseases because of advances in genome sequencing and molecular biology. The genetic information can often lead to life-saving interventions, including specialized drug therapy or embedding a defibrillator.

February Events

Here in Charlotte, join us for Hadassah Health Night at Temple Israel on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Best-selling author and cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher, MD, FACC, discusses his book “Just One Heart, A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness.” Dr. Fisher will talk about mind-body wellness and transforming the way we live, love, and connect. The event is free and open to the public, but registration on our website is required. Dr. Fisher’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Spend an evening with fun-loving Hadassah women at Wine & Schmooze on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Vintner Wine Market in the Arboretum Shopping Center.

Short Story Discussion Group meets on Zoom on Feb. 14 at 11:45 a.m. to talk about “Road Kill” by Israeli author Miryam Sivan from the book “Frankly Feminist: Short Stories by Jewish Women.”

Join Hadassah BookTalk on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. on Zoom to discuss “The Shape of Mercy” by Susan Meissner.

A Busy Month of Chanukah Activities

On Dec. 15, Hadassah Preppies and members of Sisterhood of Temple Kol Ami, coordinated by Helene Schilian, packed 65 Chanukah-themed meals for Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte. Each meal contained roast chicken, latkes, veggies, sufganiyot (doughnuts), chocolate gelt, and challah. Todah rabah to the women who donated their time, talents, and supplies.

On Dec. 22, Hadassah held a Chanukah party/fundraiser for Camp Judaea’s Storm Relief Fund. About 40 women listened to Jeremy Serkin, Camp Judaea development officer, and Francine Safdeye, camper experience director, speak about the Jewish camp experience, programming, storm recovery, and plans for summer 2025. As they ate latkes, sufganiyot, and other Chanukah goodies, Hadassah women also made a significant donation to the Camp Judaea Storm Relief Fund.

Helpful Information

The next Hadassah CLT Metro Board meeting is Monday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. We welcome Cheri Titlebaum as our new Chapter co-president, who will be sharing the role with Gina Robins. Mazel tov, Cheri!

There are three openings on the 2025 Board: website administrator, Evolve chairwoman, and Celebrate the TaTas Reveal chairwoman. If you want to be more involved but aren’t ready to assume a Board position, volunteering on the Programming or Fundraising committee is a great place to start. If you are interested in holding office or joining a committee, contact Gina Robins at the phone number or email below.

Our website, www.hadassahcltevents.org, has details and links for our events. If you have questions or need additional information, email HadassahCLT@gmail.com or call our general phone number, (980) 553-1880. Follow us on Facebook (Hadassah CLT Metro) and Instagram (Hadassah Charlotte Metro).

Photo caption: Preparing Chanukah meals for Jewish Family Services of Charlotte