HADASSAH, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer women's
organization, whose members are motivated and inspired to strengthen their
partnership with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and realize their potential
as a dynamic force in American society.
Founded in 1912, Hadassah retains the passion and timeless values of its founder,
Henrietta Szold, Jewish scholar and activist, who was dedicated to Judaism,
Zionism, and the American ideal.
Committed to the centrality of Israel based on the renaissance of the Jewish
people in its historic homeland, Hadassah promotes the unity of the Jewish
people. In Israel, Hadassah initiates and supports pace-setting health care,
education and youth institutions, and land development to meet the country's
changing needs. In the United States, Hadassah enhances the quality of American
and Jewish life through its education and Zionist youth programs, promotes
health awareness, and provides personal enrichment and growth for its members.
Hadassah is the largest women's organization in the world, with approximately
300,000 members and growing. Locally, the Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah has over
600 members and continues to grow. Hadassah focuses on educating its members and
the community on health issues and advocates for important legislation that affect
women and their families. The organization supports two hospitals in Israel, both
of which are pacesetters for medical research and clinical medicine in the Middle
East and around the world.
Hadassah is committed to making a difference in the world by initiating stem
cell, cancer and genetic research, bringing state-of-the-art health care to
Israel via Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO, and supporting the Hadassah College
of Technology. Hadassah offers a tangible way to connect with Israel and Zionism.
More ways include: Hadassah Career Counseling Institute, Youth Aliyah Village,
Young Judaea, and Jewish National Fund. (JNF). For more information, please
contact President, Heidi Rotberg at hrotberg@aol.com.
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Charlotte Chapter History
The first Hadassah activity in Charlotte began in 1925 when Miss Dorothy Hirsch
organized a teen-aged group known as the “Hadassah Buds”. This
group functioned for two years as an outlet for young women interested in contributing
to the Palestive Infant Welfare Fund. In 1934, the Buds, now adults, blossomed
into a fully chartered chapter. According to Minnie Sutker, a charter member
who still serves on the Charlotte board (!), “On October 3, 1934, fifteen
women met in a private dining room of the @ & W Cafeteria on West Trade
Street, borrowed money from each other to pay their dues, signed the Charter,
and thus the Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah, with Rhea White as President, was
officially organized. It was a momentous occasion, and if you were there, you
will always remember that day.” The Charlotte Chapter has functioned
fully and proudly since that time.
And how we have grown! Charlotte now boasts over 600 members, including 490 life
members. Nearly 70 men lend their support as Hadassah Associates.
Early receipts
from National reveal that Charlotte sent donations to the Infant Welfare Fund
for several years before being chartered, beginning an excellent
tradition of reaching and often oversubscribing fundraising goals. The first
donor was held in 1940, and this event, usually a fall luncheon and fashion
show, continues to be a highlight of the year. The annual publication, now
in its 65th
year, of the Hadassah Telephone Directory of Charlotte’s Jewish community
is an essential part of fundraising activities.
Education programs command a
significant portion of the calendar. The chapter offers several study groups
throughout the year, along with other meetings
designed to education and inform our members on issues and topics which affect
them as
American Jewish women. Some programs, such as the Women’s Plea for Soviet
Jewry, are co-sponsored with other local organizations. A Book and Author Evening
begun four years ago is now eagerly anticipated and well-attended. Eli Evans
and Susan Weidman Schneider are among the guest authors who have participated.
Charlotte
recently instituted special awards to thank volunteers for their time and efforts.
The Rosalie C. Ashendorf Award honors long-time members for
extraordinary
dedication and service. The award is named in memory of Rasalie Ashendorf,
a beloved leader and mentor to many women now leaders in the chapter. Appropriately,
Rosalie’s daughter, Deanne Ashendof Boxer received the first award.
Changing
times have brought about changes to the organizational structure of the Charlotte
chapter. In 1959, Mrs. Dorothy Guttmann, the former Miss Dorothy
Hirsch who formed the Hadassah Buds, served as the first president of the Business
and Professional Group, an evening group geared to those women who could not
attend daytime meetings. It later chose the name “Devorah Group” in
her memory. This group is no longer active
In 1988, the nearby Gastonia Chapter
of Hadassah, faced with changing demographics in their small Jewish community,
decided to merge its membership with the Charlotte
chapter. Organized in the mid-1940’s by the Rauch, Girad, Witten and
Schneider families, the Gastonia chapter was very supportive of Hadassah, and
at the time
of the merger, over 70% of its membership which averaged about fifty women,
were Life Members.
Again, in the eloquent words of Minnie Sutker, written in
1959 on the occasion of the Charlotte Chapter’s Silver Anniversary, “From
the group of 15 women…we not only have grown in numbers, but we have
grown in vision, we have broadened our scope and Americans, as Zionists, as
Jews. We are thankful
for having been priviledged to be a part of the great organization of Hadassah. (back
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