October 2020

President’s Message

I was ready to introduce you to a woman making an impact on our world— little-known Paula Apsell—but that quickly changed when I was overwhelmed by the sad news of icon and iconoclast Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing.  Stepping back, I realize sharing about Paula Apsell might actually add to Ginsburg’s legacy, to her fight for gender equality and justice.  Hadassah Magazine had a beautiful story about her back in December 2016.

While RBG used the law, Paula Apsell uses science to make a difference.  The 2018 winner of a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for her role as senior executive producer of PBS’s acclaimed NOVA series takes viewers on scientific adventures.  Apsell is fascinating to listen to in this Hadassah webinar:  “Understanding the Role of Science in Promoting Social Justice and Improving Our Lives”.  In producing the NOVA program, “Poisoned”, about the Flint water crisis, she came to realize this is more than an engineering problem. Science is an important tool for social justice.

Apsell notes trust in science is very fragile now. COVID-19 has shown itself to be a social justice issue because it affects poor communities disproportionately.  Another example is that while girls need to see women who look like them talking about their work in science, the gender gap in science is still enormous.  Apsell also sounds a dire warning about climate change, which will not go away, and is terribly affecting poor communities.  Last, science can also be a tool in dealing with anti-Semitism, which doesn’t seem to go away either. To watch this webinar click here.

In memory of RBG, let’s be notorious in pursuing justice in our own way,



Ettie Davis, President

Events Calendar

Rising Anti-Semitism in the West,
     Advancement in the Middle East
         – Demystifying the Enigma
Wednesday, October 21, 7pm

Regina Sassoon Friedland,
In Conversation with Meryl Alcabes

This is such a timely topic and we are thrilled to have

Regina Sassoon Friedland, Regional Director, AJC Seattle share her insights.

Please join us for this wonderful Zoom event sponsored by the Beersheva Group

Register Here

The Secret Rescue of Syrian Jews: The Story of Judy Feld Carr
Sunday, November 15, 10am     S A V E     T H E     D A T E

Judy Feld Carr

Canadian historian, Harold Troper, tells the remarkable story of one woman’s role in the rescue of 3,228 Syrian Jews from the 1970’s to 2001.  

Harold Troper

About Our Speaker

Harold Troper is the well-known Canadian historian whom Judy Feld Carr chose to write her story.  He has co-authored several award-winning books including None Is Too Many: Canada and the Jews of Europe (“one of the most important books ever published in Canada”–the Literary Review of Canada); Old Wounds: Jews, Ukrainians and the Hunt for Nazi War Criminals; and Immigrants: A Portrait of the Urban Experience. He is a Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the University of Toronto.

 

Registration Details to Follow

Advocacy Update

Virtual Day in the District with Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier

On Monday, August 31st, Hadassah’s Seattle Chapter and Pacific Northwest Region held our 1st Virtual Day in the District with Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier (Washington State, 8th District), accompanied by staff members Wendy Muzzy and A. Bissonette. Five PNW Region and Seattle Chapter Hadassah members participated via Zoom: Susan Glicksberg, National State Advocacy co-chair and PNW Education and Advocacy chair, Ettie Davis, Seattle Chapter President, Deni Hirsh, Seattle Chapter Advocacy Chair, Gillian Witus, Seattle Chapter Membership VP and Jeri Bernstein, Seattle Chapter member. Stacey Dorenfeld, National State Advocacy co-chair, also participated.

We shared some basics about Hadassah and asked Dr. Schrier if she was a member.  She didn’t think she was, but thought she should be! We are following up on this!

Read More

Other News

#HadassahVotes

Dear Hadassah Pacific Northwest Members,

SIGN UP TODAY FOR HADASSAH PACIFIC NORTHWEST’S VOTING TEAM!! LET’S LEAD THE WAY AND HELP MORE WOMEN THAN EVER VOTE!

 You should have received an email from Hadassah Advocacy titled “Can we count on you to help more women vote?” This email invites you to sign up for Hadassah’s Voting Team. Hopefully you’ve joined the HADASSAH PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION’S TEAM and invited your friends to do the same!

 

Here are the instructions in case you need them or didn’t receive an email from National:

  1. Visit www.hadassah.org/vote2020
  2. Click on “Register for the Hadassah Voting Team” red box
  3. Create your account on the Vision2020Votes page and confirm via email.
  4. Once you’ve joined, go to the list of Hadassah teams and join the Hadassah Pacific Northwest Team.
  5. Keep exploring! A Product Tour should pop-up.
  6. Complete a few actions – such as entering your birthdate or registering for election reminders – and plan when you’ll be back to do more. The more points the Hadassah Pacific Northwest Team gets, the better!
  7. Use the “Invite Your Friends” feature on the website to invite your friends!

Thanks,
Susan Glicksberg
National State Advocacy Co-chair and PNW Region Education and Advocacy Chair

A Hadassah Hurrah!
To: Rochelle Kochin for Beersheva Group’s Hadassah Hospice Program

What a wonderful opportunity to hear about another side of Hadassah’s work, so lovingly described by Rochelle’s daughter-in-law, social worker Anna Kochin, and Director, Jeremy Jacobs who wrote this lovely note: 

Dear Rochelle,

It was a pleasure to speak to you all and share some of our experiences. It is good to know that we have friends out there!!

Sincerely,
Jeremy Jacobs
פרופגרמי גקובסמנהל המחלקה לגריאטריה שיקומית והמרכז לטיפול תומך,ביהח הדסה הר הצופים
Prof Jeremy M Jacobs  –  Head of Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation and the Center for Palliative Care
Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Mount Scopus


A Hadassah Hurrah!
To: Leah Gladstein, Rosh Hashanah Cooking Demo

Just a few days before Rosh Hashanah, Leah Gladstein’s Cooking Demo offered us culinary advice as well as the opportunity to “zoom-see” friendly faces and wish a Shana Tovah to each other.  For many of us who are Ashkenazic, this was the first time hearing about the Sephardic tradition of a Seder at Rosh Hashanah.  Leah prepared her family recipe for Prasa (Sephardi Leek Patties), one of the simanim (Seder foods) to enjoy at their Seder.  Leah said the Fish Con Tomat she prepared could be used as a simanim or as part of the meal.  

Thank you so much, Leah, for sharing your expertise and warm personality with Hadassah.

To view this cooking demo click here

Membership News

Welcome New Members:

  • Liat Niv- Rogozinski, new Life Member

Welcome Members New to Our Seattle Chapter:

  • Cara Eglin

Mazel Tov to:

  • Beryl and Gary Cohen on the birth of their granddaughter, Menucha Rochel, born in Israel to parents Gitty and Daniel Cohen.

We Mourn the Passing of:

  • Dr. Russel Goldman, husband of Lauren Goldman and father of Alan Goldman.