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Contact: Renee Young
Hadassah National Public Relations
ryoung@hadassah.org
212.303.8140
Hadassah Opens Washington DC Government Relations Office,
Names Karen Paikin Barall as Director
October 23, 2018 – NEW YORK, NY – Hadassah announces the expansion of its domestic advocacy efforts with the opening of a Government Relations Office in Washington, DC and the appointment of Karen Paikin Barall as Director of Government Relations, according to Ellen Hershkin, National President, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA). As the largest Zionist women’s organization in the U.S. – with 300,000 members found across every U.S. congressional district – Hadassah’s DC office will educate, activate and mobilize its membership, serving as a hub to harness grassroots engagement and maximize advocacy impact.
Hershkin states, “Advocacy has always been central to Hadassah’s core mission. Our strength comes from the passion of our members, who are motivated by their love for Israel and know first-hand how investments in medical research and care save countless lives. By educating policymakers on both sides of the aisle about the work of the Hadassah Medical Organization and Hadassah’s policy priorities, the DC office will magnify our voice in Congress, as well as with federal agencies and partner organizations.”
Hadassah’s Government Relations Office will play an important role in advancing the organization’s domestic advocacy agenda in DC and around the country. Barall will deepen Hadassah’s critical relationships on Capitol Hill and with the White House, and lead Hadassah’s legislative and grassroots mobilization strategies including working side-by-side with congressional offices in support of key policies.
Barall states, “I am proud to be representing Hadassah as we make the case for Israel, fight increasing anti-Semitism around the world, and promote women's health equity at home. I know that our success will bring in a new generation of Hadassah members who share our values and vision and are energized to support an organization reshaping the future of Zionist and women’s health advocacy.”
Hadassah is the convener of the 28-member Coalition for Women’s Health Equity. Formed in 2016, the Coalition works to eliminate disparities in prevention, research, funding and quality of care for women. Hadassah’s DC office will strengthen the influence of the Coalition and solidify key congressional relationships to further women’s health equity policy.
Janice Weinman, Hadassah Executive Director & CEO, states, “Women are pursuing an active leadership role in the affairs of this great nation and making their voices heard. Karen’s wide range of experience as a public servant and her relationships and reputation in DC will be an invaluable asset to Hadassah’s mission – insuring that our members are at the forefront of this energizing movement at a historic moment in our nation’s history.”
Barall is returning to Hadassah, having previously supervised Hadassah’s Young Judaea / Israel Summer Youth Programs early in her career. In the years since, Barall served as Mid-Atlantic Director for the Orthodox Union Advocacy, Director of Maryland Government and Community Relations for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, Foreign Affairs Officer in the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, and Special Assistant to New York Governor George Pataki, among other roles.
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With 300,000 members, associates and supporters Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care, research and women's empowerment – meeting with elected officials on Capitol Hill and locally through its Day in the District Program. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization's two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to over a million people every year. HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace” through equality in medical treatment. For more information, visit my.hadassah.org.
