news & information kaleidoscope - hadassah, the …presents women who inspire: yesterday, today...

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WHO WE AREHadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel. It enhances the health of people worldwide through its support of medical care and research at the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. Hadassah empowers its members and supporters, as well as youth in Israel and America through opportunities for personal growth, education, advocacy and Jewish continuity.

NEWS & INFORMATION SPRING 2018 | NISAN - AV 5778

To register online: hadassah.org/hadassahspringconference

WOMEN WHO INSPIREYESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

HADASSAH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S SPRING CONFERENCE

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 201810:00 AM - 2:00 PM

LUXE SUNSET HOTELLOS ANGELES, CA

COUVERT: $55 (includes lunch and program)

“I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”

~Michelle Obama

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It is no secret that Hadassah is filled with extraordinary women of all ages and from all facets of life. We are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends, partners, and leaders. Women share incredible bonds. We laugh together, cry together, and hold safe each others’ secrets. We share in joys and sorrows, and walk together through life’s journeys. As women, it is our responsibility to share our stories, L’dor V’dor—from generation to generation.

Join us on Sunday, April 15, 2018, as Hadassah Southern California presents Women Who Inspire: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, at the annual Spring Conference. This emotional and poignant day will celebrate the strength of women of every generation. Be inspired by special guest, Dafna Michaelson-Jenet, Colorado State Representative, author, 2-time cancer survivor and Hadassah leader.

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hadassah.org/southerncalifornia


AREA CONTACT INFORMATION

HADASSAH SABRA OF THE DESERT DESERT/EAST AREA Cindy Hailpern, President Michelle Shahon, Area Director Hadassah Desert/East Area PO Box 11979 Palm Desert, CA 92255-1979 ph (760) 327-7059 fax (310) 247-0607 [email protected]

HAWAII Andrea Snyder, Hawaii President ph (808) 265-3559 [email protected]

LONG BEACH/ORANGE COUNTY AREA Dorie Rogers, President Michelle Shahon, Area Director Hadassah Long Beach/Orange County Area PO Box 881 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 ph (562) 430-5055 fax (310) 247-0607 [email protected]

METRO LOS ANGELES AREA Maureen Bernstein and Mitra Irani, Co-Presidents Hazel Gordon, Area Manager Hadassah Metro Area Amelia & Mark Taper Hadassah House 455 S. Robertson Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211 ph (310) 276-0036 fax (310) 247-0607 [email protected]

NORTHERN AREA (VALLEYS) Gabby Clayman and Fay Thaw, Co-Presidents Rachel Charnick, Area Director Hadassah Northern Area 20350 Ventura Blvd. Suite 220 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 ph (818) 887-1912 fax (818) 887-1913 [email protected]

SAN DIEGO AREA Lori Good and Audrey Levine, Co-Presidents Deena Feinman, Area Director Hadassah San Diego Area 4950 Murphy Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92123 ph (858) 268-3200 fax (858) 268-3299 [email protected]

HEADQUARTERS

HADASSAH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Debbie Kessler, President Lauren Rothman, Executive Director Neil Fischer, Director of Operations, Administration and Technology Harriett Zeitlin, Director of Development, Western Region Ian Merles, Annual Giving Officer, West Coast Amelia & Mark Taper Hadassah House 455 S. Robertson Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211 ph (310) 276-0036 fax (310) 247-0607 [email protected] www.hadassah.org/southerncalifornia

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Published by Hadassah Southern California

Editor: Terry Whitten [email protected]

Staff Editor: Michelle Shahon [email protected]

Layout & Design: Mac Media, LLC

L’dor V’dor, from generation to generation…

As a teenager—growing up in Orange County—I had a life-changing experience that forever changed my journey, and taught me what it means to make the world a better place.

How fortunate I was to grow up in a home where I observed my mother volunteering for numerous organizations, including

a hospital in Long Beach, California. At the age of 14 ½, I joined my mother at the hospital as a volunteer. Together, we would go from

room to room, handing out homemade baked goods and kibbutzing with military veterans, some who had just returned from the war in Vietnam.

It was in that same time period, that my mother died tragically in a car accident, and my life—as I knew it—was no longer the same. I was 15 and my brother was 13; he had just had his bar mitzvah. After my mother’s death, I stopped believing in G-d. How could G-d take my wonderful mother from me? I truly did not understand.

After my mother’s passing, her 3 brothers (my uncles) seemed to know instinctively what to do. They offered to send me to Israel, for what they hoped would provide the strength, healing and acceptance I needed. How did they know what my soul was craving? I spent one month volunteering in the Israeli Army and an additional month touring the country. I came home from that trip a changed Jewish young lady.

I have carried on my mother’s example of volunteering, and have given much of my time and energy as a volunteer for various organizations. Since 1993, I have volunteered for Hadassah, holding leadership positions, giving financially, and supporting a cause for which I have tremendous passion.

My involvement as a devoted and active Hadassah member continues because I believe in its mission, and as a Jew, I believe I have a responsibility to the State of Israel. But the reason that resonates loudest for my involvement in Hadassah, is my daughter—the next generation, my future, Israel’s future.

L’dor V’dor…how are you making the world a better place? I’d love to hear from you.

With gratitude,

Debbie Kessler

As I do each year when Mother’s Day approaches, my thoughts turn to mom—my brave role model who gave me the strength that has guided so many of my life choices. I recall with both love and frustration how mom would spend what seemed like hours on the phone with her Hadassah sisters. As a young child, I couldn’t imagine that anyone on those phone calls could be more important than me. What I didn’t recognize at the time, was that mom’s time spent on the phone was not about choosing Hadassah over me; it was indeed about creating the world of my future.

Now, as a grown adult, 29 years after her passing, I have the opportunity to do as my mother did—pass along the tradition of tikkun olam to my daughters. It is my hope—that through my work for Hadassah—I too (as my mom did for me) can be a role model for the next generation of Hadassah women.

With gratitude for all you do,

Lauren Rothman

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Hadassah’s policy statements represent the organization’s official stance on a wide range of issues facing our nation, Israel and other international matters of concern.

This year, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing, Hadassah introduced a new policy statement that honors the nursing profession and reaffirms support to enhance nursing education and promote supportive workplace policies. It asserts that nursing is global in nature and supporting it is of vital importance to everyone, acknowledging that the care provided by nurses is an integral part of patient outcomes and that nurses are central drivers of the movement to educate women and men about healthy life choices that promote wellness.

The statement also expresses concern about the current nursing shortage in America, citing an alarming statistic from The Bureau of Labor Statistics that projects 1.09 million nursing vacancies in the healthcare system by 2024 due to high turnover and increasing demand. To support the nursing profession and address the American nursing

shortage, Hadassah calls on local, state and federal governments to financially support existing nursing education, accessibility and workforce development programs; promote the training, recruitment and retention of quality nurses; improve working conditions for nurses; increase workplace safety measures; encourage the training of nurses to be prepared to respond to mass casualties; and raise the public profile of the nursing profession.

In light of the #MeToo Campaign to raise awareness about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, Hadassah reaffirmed a previous policy statement that pledges to “stand with women in every walk of life to affirm that sexual harassment and assault will no longer be tolerated wherever it occurs, including in the workplace or school.” Hadassah applauds the national conversations that are taking place and the women who have come forward in virtually every industry, and asserts that “we must use this momentum to bring about lasting legislative change.” The statement urges employers and schools to recognize a woman’s (and everyone’s) right to work, volunteer and study free of

harassment and assault, and to create clear and comprehensive policies, complaint procedures and disciplinary guidelines that will result in taking prompt and effective action to address and correct any incidents of sexual harassment and assault.

To read Hadassah’s policy statements in their entirety, please go to: www.hadassah.org/advocate/policy-statements

Change Through Advocacy

360°ofHEALINGThe Full Circle CampaignHADASSAH MEDICAL ORGANIZATION

“

“

I believe in the missionand I am extremely

impressed by theadvancements inmedical research.

- Nancy Norris


Nearly 60 years ago, David Ben Gurion asked Hadassah to build a new, modern medical center in West Jerusalem that would be the fi nest in the Middle East. In June 1961, a magnifi cent hill of healing opened in Ein Kerem overlooking the majestic Judean hills. The centerpiece of the campus was Hadassah Medical Organization’s Round Building, the original inpatient center and core of the Hadassah Ein Kerem campus.

A beacon of peace and hope, Hadassah Hospital builds bridges in the Middle East, treating all who come through their doors —regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. It is a leader in cutting-edge research, and a place that provides compassionate care to more than one million patients each year.

In early 2018, Hadassah introduced The Full Circle Campaign, 360° of Healing—a campaign to renovate and expand the Round Building to ensure a higher level of patient care, increase the number of patients served each year, and contribute substantially to Hadassah’s growth and fi nancial stability. Chaired by Michelle and Phil Conwisar, West Coast Campaign Chairs, the reimagined Round Building campaign will help Hadassah continue to be at the forefront of health-care innovation.

Building for the future is not new to Hadassah members. It is our history, our today, and our legacy for future generations. Hadassah Medical Organization holds deep meaning for 5-generation Life Member Nancy Norris of the Northern Area South Valley Group. “I believe in the mission and I am extremely impressed by the advancements in medical research.”

In 2014, Nancy’s husband, Ira, lost his battle with multiple myeloma. Following Ira’s death, Nancy, already a major contributor, was moved to make a new gift, naming a treatment room in the oncology department at Hadassah Hospital in his memory. When the 360° of Healing Campaign was announced, Nancy was inspired to continue her legacy of giving.

According to Nancy, “giving a gift of a meaningful space where cancer treatments take place in the oncology department really resonates for me. It is a very diffi cult time for everyone involved—patients and their family members. This gift is a continuation of my love and respect for Hadassah.”

For Life Member and Hadassah Southern California Executive Director, Lauren Rothman, it was a Hadassah event and groundbreaking research that shifted the course of her life. “I was fi rst made aware of the BRCA gene mutation’s connection with Ashkenazi Jews while working on a Hadassah event that focused on breast cancer; specifi cally, for women with a family history of breast cancer.” Lauren’s Bubbie Sarah died

of of ovarian cancer in the 1980s and her mother of

breast cancer in 1989. As a result, Lauren lived with the fear of one day hearing the words, “you have cancer.”

Following the Hadassah event in 2007, Lauren was empowered to take a simple blood test to determine her genetic makeup in relation to cancer, and three weeks later, received the news that she was indeed BRCA positive. She was then faced with some very diffi cult decisions, and the responsibility to share the information with her two younger sisters and fi ve female cousins. Her middle sister and three cousins also tested positive for the mutation.

An older mom with two young children, Lauren made the decision—shortly after her diagnosis—to have surgeries to signifi cantly reduce her risk of ovarian and breast cancer. “I wanted to be alive as my children grew up, so I knew my choices needed to be drastic and eff ective,” says Lauren.

Today, Lauren has strong feelings about Hadassah’s important work. “I’m keenly aware of the role Hadassah has played in my life. Not only have I given 11 years of my time and energy as a staff member to an organization whose mission I truly am committed to, I believe with all my heart, it is because of our organization’s research—the research that discovered the connection of Ashkenazi Jews and the BRCA gene mutation—that I am alive today.”

Through 360° of Research, and the reimagined Round Building, Hadassah will continue to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation, further groundbreaking research from “bench to bedside,” both improving patient care and accelerating the discovery process, and growing Hadassah’s potential to discover, heal, and share knowledge with the worldwide medical community.

It’s about compassion; it’s about healing; it’s about life; it’s also about a 360° vision in a changing world.

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Join us in our commitment to healing tomorrow.To make a gift, contact Harriett Zeitlin, Director of Development, Western Region

310-276-0036 or [email protected]

...200 new beds to signifi cantly increase the number of patientsHadassah Medical Organization serves.

...17 operating rooms with state-of-the-art equipment to improve effi ciency and reduce waiting time for surgery.

...larger rooms to give patients more privacy and reduce the risk of infection.

...and improve the interior space on each fl oor so that doctors and nurses can respond to patients more quickly.

...more comprehensive services.

Add

Renovate

Create

Reconfi gure

Provide

Nancy and Ira Norris, z”l

Janet Schwartz, z”l and Lauren Rothman

The reimaginedRound Building will:

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Hundreds of Hadassah members from throughout the nation will unite in Washington DC, May 15-17, to turn passion into action at the fi rst ever Hadassah Women’s Health & Advocacy Conference. The Conference is the fi rst of two anchor events marking Celebration 2018—a year of milestones including the State of Israel’s 70th Anniversary, the 100th Anniversary of Hadassah Medical Organization, the 100th Anniversary of the Ophthalmology Department, and the 100th Anniversary of the Hadassah School of Nursing.

The Hadassah Women’s Health and Advocacy Conference will kick off at the National Press Club with an expert panel debating and exploring the eff ects of data collection on our health and privacy. Delegates will then join Hadassah and the Coalition for Women’s Health Equity for an afternoon of timely briefi ngs about key opportunities to advance women’s health through awareness and positive policy change that seeks to eradicate gender disparities and discrimination. “Women’s health doesn’t advance itself,” says Ellen Hershkin, Hadassah National President. “It often takes many voices to ensure something as basic as women’s inclusion in the process.” Additional highlights will include a special Gala celebrating the outstanding

modern-day achievements of Hadassah Medical Organization, and the culminating Day on the Hill where Hadassah members will meet with members of Congress to advocate for a strong US-Israel relationship and women’s health equity.

Local Hadassah Southern California members will be making their voices heard as well. “I feel that Women’s Health and Women’s Rights need to be given a lot more attention,” says Bernice Watkin, President of the Long Beach/Orange County Atid Group. “This, coupled with the fact that Jewish women are taking a stand, shows our strength as a community, dedicated to the health of women everywhere.”

According to Janice Weinman, Executive Director/CEO of Hadassah, “the Conference will off er the opportunity to expand our discussions and open our minds to the responsibility we and other like-minded organizations, the government and individuals at all levels of the community have to ensure the best and most egalitarian health care possible.”

To register for the Hadassah Women’s Health & Advocacy Conference, go to www.hadassah.org/celebration-2018

One of Hadassah’s best kept secrets is the opportunity to double your impact through its Matching Gifts program. In the past three years alone, Hadassah has raised over $330,000 through matching funds.

More than eight thousand companies off er varying levels of corporate matching gifts to support their employees’ philanthropic interests. Funds contributed by the employer and member can be designated to any of Hadassah’s projects and are counted towards the individual’s cumulative giving. This allows a member to attain higher levels of giving, as well as opportunities to become an annual contributor, or major donor. How does one participate in a matching gifts program? Employees should contact their employer for the matching gift forms. The forms are returned to Hadassah for required

signatures then returned to the employer for approval and processing. It’s that simple.

Dorothy Lasensky, life member of the Long Beach/Orange County Area Nurses and Health Professionals Council became a Centennial Founder through this program. According to Dorothy, “The Matching Gifts program is a win-win opportunity for Hadassah and our members...don’t miss an opportunity to make a diff erence and double your impact. Find out what your employer requires, what their limitations are and set these gifts in motion.”

To learn more about the program or to get started today, contact your local offi ce (see page 2).

Double Your Impact

A Celebration of Milestones

Co-Chaired by Elise Feldscher and Kay Gordon from the Northern Area, the day is sure to inspire and motivate as we share in the strength, power and resilience of women.

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CHARITABLE SOLICITATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS HADASSAH, THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. • 40 Wall Street - New York, NY 10005 • Telephone: (212) 355-7900Contributions will be used for the support of Hadassah’s charitable projects and programs in the U.S. and/or Israel including: medical relief, education and research; education and advocacy programs on issues of concern to women and that of the family; and support of programs for Jewish youth. Financial and other information about Hadassah may be obtained, without cost, by writing the Finance Department at Hadassah’s principal place of business at the address indicated above, or by calling the phone number indicated above. In addition, residents of the following states may obtain financial and/or licensing information from their states, as indicated.

DC: The Certificate of Registration Number of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. is #40003848, which is valid for the period 9/1/2015-8/31/2017. Registration does not imply endorsement of the solicitation by the District of Columbia, or by any officer or employee of the District. FL: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR HADASSAH, THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. (#SC-1298) AND HADASSAH MEDICAL RELIEF ASSOCIATION, INC. (#SC-4603) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE, 1 (800) HELP-FLA. KS: The official registration and annual financial report of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. is filed with the Kansas Secretary of State. Kansas Registration #237-478-3. MD: A copy of the current financial statement of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. is available by writing 40 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, Att: Finance Dept., or by calling (212) 355-7900. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act are also available for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. MI: Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. MICS #13005/Hadassah Medical Relief Association, Inc. MICS # 11986/The Hadassah Foundation, Inc. MICS #22965. MS: The official registration and financial information of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1(888) 236-6167. NJ: INFORMATION FILED BY HADASSAH, THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. AND HADASSAH MEDICAL RELIEF ASSOCIATION, INC. WITH THE NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity/chardir.htm. NY: You may obtain a copy of Hadassah’s Financial Report by writing to the Hadassah Finance Dept., 40 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005. NC: FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT HADASSAH, THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA SECRETARY OF STATE, SOLICITATION LICENSING SECTION AT 919-807-2214 OR FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS AT 1-888-830-4989. PA: The official registration and financial information of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., Hadassah Medical Relief Association, Inc., and The Hadassah Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1(800) 732-0999. VA: A financial statement of the organization is available from the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, Phone #1 (800) 552-9963, upon request. WA: Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., Hadassah Medical Relief Association, Inc. and The Hadassah Foundation, Inc. are registered with the Washington Secretary of State. Financial disclosure information is available from the Secretary of State. The toll-free phone number for Washington residents is 800-332-GIVE (800-332-4483), OR 360-725-0378. The website is www.sos.wa.gov/charities. WV: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. ALL OTHER STATES: A copy of Hadassah’s latest Financial Report is available by writing to the Hadassah Finance Dept., 40 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

REGISTRATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, SANCTION OR RECOMMENDATION BY ANY STATE.

Charitable deductions are allowed to the extent provided by law. Hadassah intends to respect your wishes regarding this gift, however, in accordance with U.S. tax law requirements regarding deductibility of contributions, Hadassah shall have full dominion, control and discretion over this gift (and shall be under no legal obligation to transfer any portion of a gift to or for the use or benefit of any other entity or organization). All decisions regarding the transfer of funds to or for the benefit of any other entity or organization shall be subject to the approval of the Board or other governing body of Hadassah.

©2017 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah is a registered trademark of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

Continued from Page 1

hadassah.org/hadassahspringconference

Dafna Michaelson-Jenet

Born in Hadassah Hospital in Tel Aviv—a one-time satellite of Hadassah Hospital—Dafna is no stranger to Hadassah. Her grandmother, one of the first women who inspired Dafna, handed her an annual membership and a book about Hadassah Founder, Henrietta Szold. It was then that Dafna fell in love with Henrietta and Hadassah.

Dafna shares that her education and connections to Hadassah, specifically, par-ticipating in her first National Convention in Washington DC and her experience with NYLAC (National Young Leaders Advisory Council), taught her “how to advocate on matters that matter to women, and put me on a path of how to run for political office.”

Today, Dafna’s inspiration is her daughter, Gavi Michaelson. According to Dafna, “as a young child, Gavi raised money for Hadassah and understood that she was doing something to make her world better and I couldn’t be any prouder of the woman she’s become.”

The Spring Conference will also feature the Los Angeles debut of “Hadassah On

Stage” by the Jewish Women’s Theatre; a project made possible through a generous gift from the estate of Lily Rosman, with additional funding by “Ladies with Finesse.”

“Hadassah On Stage” is an original and unique project that was created exclusively for Hadassah from the collection of stories featured in Thin Threads: Real Stories of Hadassah Life Changing Moments and the award-winning Hadassah Magazine, to illustrate how lives are touched every day. Sharon Krischer, past Hadassah Southern California President, and immediate past Hadassah Southern California President, Sandi Sadikoff, were instrumental in bringing the theatrical performance to Hadassah. According to Sharon, “by dramatizing these narratives, we can tell Hadassah’s story in a way that is both educational and entertaining. Through the theater we make our Hadassah journeys come alive.”

CELEBRATE THE STRENGTH OF WOMEN. REGISTER TODAY.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 201810:00 AM - 2:00 PM

LUXE SUNSET HOTELLOS ANGELES, CA

Amelia & Mark Taper Hadassah House455 S. Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211-3603

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DLOS ANGELES, CAPERMIT NO. 5272

Happy Passover

HADASSAH THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC.

©2018 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah, the H logo, and Hadassah the Power of Women Who Do are registered trademarks of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

Hadassah Southern California 310.276.0036 • [email protected]

SAVE

TH

E DA

TE From Dream to InnovationHadassah Milestone Mission

October 7 – 15, 2018

For more information or to register online go to: www.hadassah.org

Israel @ 70 / Hadassah Medical Organization @ 100 / Hadassah School of Nursing @ 100 / Hadassah Ophthalmology Dept. @ 100