Newly confirmed US Ambassador to Israel Tomas Nides | Screenshot: YouTube

Do you recognize him?  He’s Tom Nides, new US Ambassador to Israel as of November 3.  Nominated by President Biden back in June, Nides’s qualifications were generally accepted as impeccable.  Following a nearly 10-month period in which Washington had no ambassador in the Jewish state, the delay to confirmation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was particularly exacerbating.  Once confirmed, Hadassah lost no time in praising Nides, whose role would boost relations between the two nations.  Hadassah President Rhoda Smolow and CEO Naomi Adler pledged Hadassah “will continue to work toward the creation of enhanced US-Israel medical partnership agreements.”

Deborah Lipstadt, US Special Envoy nominee

Similarly qualified, President Biden’s nomination of Deborah Lipstadt— to serve as U.S. Special Envoy for Combating and Monitoring antisemitism—is still being delayed.  However, I am proud to share that Hadassah is one of 21 Jewish organizations who sent a letter November 11, to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requesting Lipstadt be confirmed swiftly because “we believe that the U.S. Special Envoy position is crucial to addressing the global rise in antisemitic violence, harassment, vandalism, attitudes and incitement.”  A popular UW professor in the 1970’s,  Lipstadt is currently teaching at Emory University.  Professor Lipstadt is definitely someone who calls it like she sees it.  Her views are well worth the read:

http://www.jewishledger.com/2021/11/65826/

I want to acknowledge that if top advocate, Karen Barall, had not just spoken to Seattle Hadassah, I might not have paid attention to these two important appointments nor gotten upset about the stalling and delaying tactics.  As we look towards this month’s program on the Jewish Family Service response to the Afghan Refugee crisis, I realize the delayed action by the US in rescuing these desperate Afghan people must have been excruciating. It is important for all of us to know what it’s like walking in their shoes.  Join with me for a heart-and eye-opening discussion this Thursday, December 9.

Still trying to increase the light past Chanukah,

Women’s Reproductive Rights, and so much  more…..

Thank You  תודה  todah

An open letter to Karen Barall:

Thank you so very much for speaking to Seattle Hadassah at our November 10th program.  Chosen in 2018 as the first Director of Hadassah’s Government Relations Office in Washington, DC, you are definitely the best person for the job.  I am reminded of Maya Angelou’s quote about people not remembering all you said, never forgetting how you made them feel.  Karen, you made us all feel proud of Hadassah’s advocacy work.  Not resting on our recent successful passage of the Never Again Holocaust Education Act, you are urging us all to be Hadassah advocates.

You emphasized that our opinions matter to our legislators.  Making us feel important encourages us to go to Hadassah’s National Action Center https://cqrcengage.com/hadassah/Action_Center?0 and save this link to our Favorites.  In addition to Infertility legislation to advocate for, there are issues of Women’s Health and Medical Research, as well as Israel, Zionism and the World.

Register Here

THE POWER OF PURPOSE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2022 • 8 AM – 2:30 PM PT

We help women break barriers, raise their voices and make an impact. Now, let us help you activate your purpose! Join us for The Power of Purpose, Hadassah’s one-day virtual conference focused on empowering women, and learn how to engage your voice, body, soul and mind to effect change.
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This just in: Best-selling author Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show, will be our keynote speaker at Hadassah’s first virtual conference, The Power of Purpose!

Be inspired by our diverse lineup of powerful women leaders! Amy Spitalnick, executive director of Integrity First for America, Tamar Manasseh, founder of Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK), and Erin Zaikis, founder of RISE by Sundara, are among the many speakers who will lead panels on advocacy, women’s health, Israel and women’s empowerment. During each panel, these women will open up about their personal challenges, their motivation and success, and how each of us can take action and make a difference.  www.hadassah.org/powerofpurpose

Register here

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Links to Other Hadassah Health News:

Twin Births Don’t Automatically Require C-Sections, Says Hadassah OB-GYN– https://www.hadassah.org/story/twin-births-dont-automatically-require-c-sections-says-hadassah-ob-gyn

Protecting the Yet-to-Be-Born From COVID-19  https://www.hadassah.org/story/protecting-the-yet-to-be-born-from-covid-19

A Glimpse At The Future – https://www.hadassah.org/story/a-glimpse-at-the-future

Hadassah Empowers Arab Women to Make the Most of Their Visits to the Doctor– https://www.hadassah.org/story/hadassah-empowers-arab-women-to-make-the-most-of-their-visits-to-the-doctor

Stories of Altruism: Organ Transplantation at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem – https://www.hadassah.org/story/stories-of-altruism-organ-transplantation-at-hadassah-hospital-ein-kerem

Welcome New Members

• Gina Newman
• Emily Fishkind

Welcome Transferring Members

• Tina Gross
• Judith Watson

We Mourn the Passing of

• Netta Sonkin, wife of Irv Sonkin, mother of Joel Sonkin, Stephanie McFarlane, Eli Sonkin, Abby Yahna and Jacob Sonkin. Netta was a member of Seattle’s second Hadassah Leadership Academy group.
• Gloria Lessing, mother of Yoel (Robin) Lessing
• Ellis Corets, father of Elaine Corets, Eva Corets (Josh Beloff) Marilyn Corets (Adam Mihlstin) and Linda (Bryan Staats)
• Anne Bernstein, mother of Jeri Bernstein