Letter from President Ellen Hershkin to all Hadassah members and supporters

Dear Friends,

As we head toward Shabbat, many of us are worse for wear this week after a highly divisive election.

Now more than ever, many of us need a moment to come together, to take stock. To replenish our inner strengths.

Please do take this moment to replenish. Because Hadassah needs you — urgently — in the days and weeks and months ahead.

There is a lot of work ahead of us. For women’s health. For gender equity. For Israel.

Since our founding, Hadassah’s members have joined together in communities around the country to achieve our mission. We do this across lines of geography, across political aisles, and across generations, l'dor v'dor. Together, we will build on this legacy.

Over the last 104 years, we have seen so many positive changes for women and Zionism, and we have faced far too much terror and trauma.

In his first address to the nation as President-elect, Donald Trump chose to focus on uniting the American people. We look forward to working with his Administration to strengthen the US-Israel relationship, promote gender equity, and address other issues important to us as Zionists and women.

At the same time, we will speak out loudly and clearly to protect the advances we have made for women’s health, and to push forward for more gains.

Let us be clear, we are not ready to compromise our rights. We will need to stand up for them.

On Tuesday night, President-elect Trump pledged to work toward seeking common ground. We urge him — and all our nation’s leaders — to work diligently to achieve these goals.

As advocates of women’s health equity, Hadassah will stand firm to ensure that women are treated equally to healthcare services, we will work tirelessly so that women with disabilities or pre-existing conditions receive the healthcare coverage they deserve, and we will continue to fight for access to essential, life-saving women's preventive health services.

Our work here at Hadassah is far from done. The current Congress can still take action before the session ends. Visit the Hadassah National Action Center to send a message to your elected officials in support of Israel, the Research for All Act, or another one of Hadassah's policy priorities. Be the first to hear about new policy updates and opportunities for action by signing up for our advocacy alert emails.

With 330,000 members, Associates and supporters — located in every congressional district — we can demonstrate the Power of Women Who Do.

And we can do more. We can grow that power.

Shabbat Shalom.

Ellen Hershkin
National President