Hadassah Raises Funds To Make a Difference

September 2023

By Aileen Greenberg-Kriner

The board members of the Hadassah Charlotte Metro chapter wish everyone in our community a happy, sweet, and healthy New Year 5784! May you have a good year, and may you be inscribed and sealed for blessing in the Book of Life. We hope you have a meaningful fast on Yom Kippur and a joyful Sukkot.

As we reflect on the past Jewish year, 5783, our Hadassah Metro chapter is proud of the impact we’ve made through our fundraising endeavors. Through our many activities and generous donors, we exceeded our $70,000 fundraising goal.

That money is allocated to support the Hadassah Medical Organization and its two world-class research hospitals in Jerusalem, and the 360° of Healing program to modernize and expand the iconic Round Building at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem. In addition, funds are directed toward Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah Villages, which provide a haven for young immigrants and at-risk children, and toward scholarships for summer camps and Israel programs that try to ensure Jewish continuity for future generations. Some funds are earmarked for the Greatest Need account, where they are allocated to other Hadassah causes and special projects.

Hadassah doesn’t just stop at providing tangible aid. Our fundraising activities allow us to engage in advocacy efforts at local, national, and international levels aimed at championing a strong US-Israel relationship, fighting antisemitism, promoting women’s health equity, and fighting for reproductive rights.

Hadassah Charlotte Metro raised funds at our Game Day and silent auction, mahjongg card and High Holiday honey sales, and Tu B’Shevat seder. We hosted monthly Wine & Schmooze evenings at Vintner Wine Market (which donates a portion of sales to Hadassah), and shopping parties before Hanukkah and Passover at Discovered Traditions Gift Shop at Temple Beth El. We held our November Turkey Trot for women’s hearth health, and, just last month, Painting Days, a part of our major “Celebrate the Tatas” Fundraiser for Breast Cancer. We also increased the number of members who made the commitment to join Hadassah’s Chai Society ($180 annual donation) and Keepers of the Gate ($1,000+ annual donation).

We held other events to help our community, educate our members, and celebrate Judaism. We learned about Charlotte Jewish history on a Jewish Heritage Tour and sponsored the Novant Mammovan at the JCC. We held a Passover Tasting Lunch & Recipe Swap, and support the Hadassah Preppies, a group of Hadassah women who provide 120-160 meals each month for JFS clients.

We invite women in our community to get involved with Hadassah and be part of our amazing sisterhood. Whether you have a little time or a lot, your involvement is essential and greatly appreciated. To learn more, contact Lori Trapani or Merril Schenkel at the Hadassah Metro phone number or email below, or come to one of our events. We would love to meet you!

A great way to support Hadassah is to attend our main Celebrate the TaTas fundraising event, The Reveal, on Thursday, October 26, with lunch at Maggiano’s, keynote address by Rabbi Judy Schindler, a live auction, wine pull, and more. Sign up to attend, make a donation in honor of Rabbi Schindler, or place an ad in the program at hadassahcltevents.org. Call Cindy at (980) 553-1880 or email celebratethetatas.hadassah@gmail. com to volunteer or get additional information.

Mail beautiful Hadassah Rosh Hashanah cards ($3 each), with a variety of holiday art and messages, to your loved ones. Contact Laurie at the Hadassah email or phone number below.

Monthly Happenings

Join us for our monthly Hadassah Wine & Schmooze at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Vintner Wine Market in Arboretum.

Short Story Discussion Group meets at 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 8. We will discuss the story In Vegas That Year by Adrienne Sharp, in the book “Frankly Feminist: Short Stories by Jewish Women,” edited by Susan Weidman-Schneider and Yona Zeldis McDonough. Call or email to see if the meeting is in person or Zoom.

Beverly’s Book Nook will meet via Zoom on Friday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg’s book, “On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World.” Perfect reading before the High Holidays.

Hadassah BookTalk is reading “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” by Sarit Yishai-Levi. Our meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Helpful Hadassah Info

Our website, www.hadassahcltevents.org, has details and registration links for our events. If you have questions, suggestions, or need a zoom link, email HadassahCLT@gmail.com or call our general phone number, (980) 553-1880.

The next Hadassah Charlotte Metro Board meeting is Monday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Follow us on Facebook (Hadassah CLT Metro) and Instagram (Hadassah Charlotte Metro).