After hearing from you, one thing has become very clear to me: the need for Hadassah members to express and practice our Zionist values is as important as ever. Hadassah has never, and will not now, sit idly by in the face of discrimination, hate or intolerance. We have grave concerns about the appointment of Stephen Bannon as White House chief strategist and senior counsel, based on his previous positions and statements about specific groups of people in our country. We call on our federal officials in the White House and Congress to condemn hatred.

Let's join together as each of us contacts our members in Congress to stand up for equality and oppose prejudice. Call your legislators or send them a letter via our National Action Center to make sure they know we will continue to fight for the empowerment of ALL women regardless of gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or party affiliation. Tell them that preserving and protecting women's health, well-being, access to opportunity and safety are not negotiable.

The new White House and Congress will begin governing our nation in January. In February, you can meet your legislators at home during their district work recess through our Day in the District program. These in-district visits have a proven track record for advocacy success. Now is the time to take full advantage of our training and network to make your voice heard. We have Hadassah members in every Congressional district in America, and we want every one of those districts to mobilize in support of Hadassah values.

I am ready to stand alongside you as we advocate for the rights of ALL people, as we combat anti-Semitism at home and abroad, as we protect equity for women, and as we strengthen the U.S.- Israel relationship.

B'Shalom,

Ellen Hershkin
National President