Helene Schilian

Helene Schilian
Wellington, FL

Career and Family
Career and Family Born and raised in Queens, New York, my husband, my daughter, and I followed our parents to South Florida over thirty years ago. Our son, born in Florida, became very active in Young Judaea, eventually becoming regional Mazkir.

How did you get involved with Hadassah?
While our son was involved with YJ, both our children joined the staff of Camp Tel Yehudah; and I, as a registered nurse, thought that camp nursing might make for an interesting change from the hospital. I spent seven summers working with TY’s medical staff, and loved every minute of it. I was intrigued by the yearly visits from the representatives of Hadassah. By that time, and after going to Israel and visiting Hadassah Medical Center, I had become a Life Member, and joined a local Hadassah Chapter, Sherut. I eventually became the senior advisor for our local Young Judaea chapter, in West Palm Beach.
In 2004, a new Hadassah Chapter, Shulamit, was formed in our community, and I wanted to become a more active member. I have held Board positions in programming, have been recording secretary, and currently am the Education VP and Editor of our Bulletin, The Shulamit Schmooze. I was honored as Shulamit’s first Woman of Valor.
 
What is it about Hadassah that resonates with you?
Why has Hadassah become a passion of mine? It supports everything I feel strongly about. Healthcare, nursing, medical research, Zionism, Judaism, children, advocacy for ideals I hold dear-- and my Hadassah Sisters are now treasured friends.
 
Share something you would like people to know about you.
Share something you would like people to know about you I left hospital nursing in 1998 to become a certified Doula, (professional birth assistant), and in 2004, pursued a career in school nursing. While working as a nurse at a high school, I coordinated Hadassah’s Check It Out Program to spend a day at our school, educating over 900 young women about breast cancer and the importance of self-examination. Hadassah’s Nurses’ Council sent representatives to speak to the students in our Future Nurses Club.