A Hadassah Leader’s Response to Trauma 2023-2025

There are two happenings that remain indelibly intertwined in my heart: the devastating news that my husband would die in a few months from glioblastoma, a fatal brain tumor, and the attack on my Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Today, I recall receiving the terrible news about my husband’s diagnosis on August 28, 2023, from the emergency room at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. This devastating information was followed shortly thereafter by the news of  Hamas’s attack on October 7, the very day my husband started treatment for his glioblastoma.

These two situations broke my heart, but neither could keep me from joining my Hadassah sisters and Jews all over the world in fighting back.

At both Hadassah and the Hadassah Foundation we united to support Israel.

On October 11, the Hadassah Foundation board was to meet in New York and, as a board member, I went ahead with my plan to be there. As much as my heart ached to stay with my husband, I felt a great need to be with my Hadassah sisters to process the horrors of the Hamas attack and to comfort one another. So I recruited my sons to be with their father in my stead.

On my way to New York, I noticed that, after four days, the sympathy and support for Israel and the terror victims was already waning. The tide was turning. This both shocked and sickened us as we Hadassah Foundation board members met with other Jewish leaders in New York.

It was particularly stunning to hear from Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of New York City’s Central Synagogue that, when she asked for support from her colleagues in an interfaith leadership coalition (which she had recently brought to Israel), they remained silent. I was deeply saddened but not surprised. Where was the kind of support that the US received after the 9/11 terrorist attack? It was and still is about full acceptance of the Jewish State.

I was so proud to stand with Hadassah as we alerted the world to the horrors of those barbaric Hamas attacks, including the weaponization of sexual violence. The way we fought back at the UN for recognition of those horrors was nothing less than miraculous. We finally did get the statement of condemnation we sought.

We also lobbied the US Congress for financial and weapon support for Israel. Along with Hadassah International, we helped build and open ahead of schedule the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at our Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus in Jerusalem to care for and rehabilitate the wounded.

Both our hospitals – on Mt. Scopus and at Hadassah Ein Kerem — geared up to treat the many wounded soldiers, civilians and returning hostages, despite a great number of our staff being called up for military reserve duty.

The Hadassah Foundation connected with the social justice groups we support in Israel to help meet their needs as well.

In the winter of 2024, the Hadassah Foundation hosted its 25th Anniversary Gala and brought leaders from the Eden Project, a group funded by The Hadassah Foundation, to America, along with an amazing art exhibit of their clients’ work. This project provides counseling and housing to those whose mental health has been impacted by the loss of family members as well as victims of Hamas sexual violence. This brought home to all who attended the devastating toll this trauma has taken on so many Israeli citizens. The artwork was astounding and portrayed deep pain and loss.

I congratulate my colleagues on the Hadassah Foundation board and in the Hadassah Education and Advocacy Division for answering the call, working tirelessly on behalf of Israel.

I, too, continue on, accepting speaking engagements on behalf of Hadassah Advocacy quite far away from home. Why? What drives us as volunteers for Hadassah is clearly a deep love for both Israel and our Hadassah missions, both here in the US and in Israel. We are a mighty force as we support our Jewish homeland, rally against antisemitism and advocate for women’s health equity and empowerment.

At a 2024 Hadassah National Meeting, I heard a young soldier talk about the compassionate way he was helped at our Gandel Rehabilitation Center. His was a mighty battle to return to health. I cried for him and all our brave soldiers.

After my husband’s passing, I was pleased that our family had asked for donations in my husband’s memory to be made to the Gandel Rehabilitation Center. I was proud to be able to donate again at this meeting.

Hadassah gives its volunteers both community and strength, as well as the means to effect change. As we continue to cope with the devastation of this war, may all the people of Israel and Palestine find peace soon.

May God watch over all my sisters in Hadassah and the Hadassah Foundation who are doing so much more than you will ever know.

Although I grieve the loss of my husband, my desire to get back in there and continue the fight is growing.

We were so thrilled to see all our living hostages return and continue to wait for the bodies of all our fallen. There is still much to be done. May God give us all the strength we need.

Michele is a member of the Hadassah Writers’ Circle, a dynamic and diverse writing group for leaders and members to express their thoughts and feelings about all the things Hadassah does to make the world a better place. It’s where they celebrate their personal Hadassah journeys and share their Jewish values, family traditions and interpretations of Jewish texts. Hadassah members are proud of their Zionist mission and their role as keepers of the flame of Jewish values, traditions and beliefs as well as advocating for women’s empowerment and health equity for all. Since 2019, the Hadassah Writers’ Circle has published nearly 650 columns in The Times of Israel Blogs and other Jewish media outlets. Interested? Please contact hwc@hadassah.org.