Lifechanging: How Hadassah Connected Me to a Wonderful Global Community

Sixteen years ago, I wasn’t the same person I am today. My mother had just died –unexpectedly – at the too young age of 72. My heart ached. My world felt upside down. I needed something new. Something different. Something to shake me out of my depression. I opened my email and read an invitation from my Hadassah chapter to attend a meeting. I’d forgotten about Hadassah. Of course I knew about Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America (What nice Jewish girl doesn’t?).

My former first grade teacher Harriet Siegel (and biggest Jewish influence in my life) had gifted me an annual membership. I thought it was very nice of her. I’d never thought of joining Hadassah. But I was busy: a lawyer, a mother, a wife. I was proudly Jewish but not affiliated with the organized Jewish community in my small town of Santa Cruz, Calif.

But, after my mother’s death, I needed something additional in my life. The Hadassah meeting was happening close to my home. I knew I would know no one, but I decided to go.

I saw right away that I was the youngest one in the room. I took a seat on the sofa. A 90-year old woman took my hand in hers and held it the entire meeting. The women there were all at least a bit older than I was, but I realized quickly that they were smart, and funny, and intelligent – and committed to trying to make the world a better place for all. In short, they were just like my mom.

After the meeting, I went out to my car, called my sister and told her she needed to join Hadassah. It would help to fill the void that Mom’s passing left.

Rather quickly, I became involved in our local Hadassah chapter. Other members took me under their wing and I flourished. I became close friends with many of the women on the board — women who were strong, women “who do.”

From there, I became active on our Regional Board. I loved planning program and events and strategizing to amplify our Jewish voices. I loved learning about the miracles being performed at Hadassah’s two research and treatment hospitals in Jerusalem: Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem and Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus.

Soon after, the opportunity came along for me to apply to the Hadassah Leadership Fellows program (now known as Hadassah Evolve: The Next Generation). The program brought together young women in their 30s-50s from around the country to learn about Hadassah.

I heard more about the truly lifechanging work at Hadassah’s hospitals and two Youth Aliyah villages. And I learned that there are lots of really cool, fun, younger women who are diehard Hadassah leaders all over the country. The connections and friendships we forged are still thriving.

Meanwhile, back home in Santa Cruz, one of my dear Hadassah friends and mentors, Liz Alpert, called to invite me to lunch with a few Hadassah Hospital social workers who were in Los Angeles for a conference. They’d be driving through Santa Cruz on their way to San Francisco. Did I want to meet them? Sure.

We ended up in a quiet restaurant on the Fourth of July and it was as if we had been fast friends for years. We had an instant rapport and exchanged promises to stay in touch. Liz and I also promised to visit them in Israel. One social worker even exclaimed, “If you’re ever in Jerusalem, you can stay with me and my family in our home!” Never being one to pass up an opportunity, I told her that I would love to take her up on her kind offer, as I’d be in Jerusalem in a few months – along with my Hadassah Leadership Fellow cohort – to tour the hospitals and witness Hadassah up close and personal.

Fast forward a dozen years and the relationships I formed with my chapter and region colleagues and Hadassah hospital social workers are still going strong.

Not too long ago, my mentor, Liz, and I had the privilege to co-lead a Hadassah Fashion, Food, Wine & Design tour of Israel (Liz and I came up with the idea and pitched it).

After October 7, I emailed one of my Hadassah Hospital friends and asked her how I could volunteer in Israel. She connected me with the Hadassah Neurim Youth Village, where I helped out in its garden and animal sanctuary.

I returned from my Israel volunteer experience more committed than ever to live as a proud Jew, dedicated to tikkun olam (repairing the world) and eager to share my experiences with my Santa Cruz community.

I hadn’t fully recovered from my jet lag when I received an email from a woman who had been active in Hadassah Southern California, but who had recently relocated to our little town. Was there a Hadassah chapter?

Some years back, our lovely Hadassah chapter took a break. You know the story — no new leadership, people were burned out and busy with the busyness of their daily routines. I told the woman, “The chapter isn’t active right now, I’m sorry.” She emailed me again. This time I agreed to plan an event, to see what happened. She would help me.

And what happened? We’ve had events filled to capacity. We’ve engaged new and interesting women (and men too) who we wouldn’t have otherwise met. Our chapter has actively brought our Jewish community together, as we collaborate and co-host events, creating positive spaces where we feel proud to be Jews and Zionists.

Our local Hadassah chapter has no president (but we have an awesome group of women of all ages on our Steering Committee). Though we meet in person only twice a year, the beautiful thing is that we created a Hadassah chapter that is tailored to the needs of our community. One size does not fit all. We’re particularly focused on combatting antisemitism, being proud Zionists and enjoying getting to know each other – all while raising funds to sustain Hadassah’s mission.

Hadassah has created a wonderful community of friends for me here, as well as in Israel. And, as my circle keeps expanding, Hadassah continues to fill me with community, passion, purpose and unique experiences. I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling mission, or a better way to make meaningful connections and friendships.

Hadassah truly is lifechanging.

The author does not speak on behalf of Hadassah and the views expressed herein are the author’s own and not necessarily those of Hadassah.

Anastasia 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 800 columns in The Times of Israel Blogs and other Jewish media outlets. Interested in writing? Please contact hwc@hadassah.org.