Unflinching: Advancing Hadassah’s Values
Hadassah remained steadfast in our mission to connect and empower women (and men) to effect change in 2024. Our supporters — across the US, in Washington, DC, and beyond — brought Hadassah's values to life by strengthening support for Israel, fighting antisemitism and championing reproductive rights and women’s health.
Speaking Out
Hadassah at the Knesset
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Hadassah has redoubled our work to stand up to antisemitism by educating and empowering women, building community and cultivating pride in Zionism. By holding itself to the highest standards, HMO continues to ensure that it remains a leader in innovation, patient care and global health.”
—Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz, addressing the Knesset’s Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs in February as a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Read more in the full report
Real Women, Real Stories
“I’ve certainly lost people in my social circle for being openly Jewish.”
“I live in fear of verbal and physical abuse due to being Jewish.”
“I was physically attacked at a rally, and my Israeli flag was stolen and burnt in front of me.”
—Hadassah's Report: “From Fear to Resilience: Women Facing Antisemitism”
Read more in the full report
Our Commitment to Women's Health
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., reaffirms that every woman must have the right to control her own reproductive future, including if, when and how to have children. Hadassah remains committed to advocating at every level of government to support access, resources and funding for the whole spectrum of reproductive health services — including fertility treatment, maternal and postpartum care, contraception and abortion — as critical components of women’s healthcare that must be protected.”
—Hadassah's Policy Statement, July 2024
Read more in the full report
Making an Impact
Hadassah members and supporters took action in 2024 to advance our shared values.
Hadassah Report on Antisemitism and Jewish Women
As the largest Jewish women’s organization in the US, Hadassah sought to understand how the dramatic rise in antisemitism touches every aspect of Jewish women’s day-to-day lives and to help sound the call to action. Released in December, Hadassah’s report “From Fear to Resilience: Women Facing Antisemitism” was informed by responses from over 1,000 participants in Hadassah’s Everyday Antisemitism: Women’s Stories survey. The findings have been shared widely through the media and on Capitol Hill and are being used to support strategies and policies to combat antisemitism and urge communities and Congress to act.
How Hadassah Stood Up to Antisemitism in 2024
- Advocated for federal legislation to raise awareness of and combat antisemitism, including to further the US National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism
- Urged policymakers in government and education to combat antisemitism on college campuses
- Responded to attempts to blacklist and isolate Jews, including in the healthcare arena
- Fought to strengthen Holocaust education
- Worked to advance the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at the local, state and federal levels, with six new states adopting the IHRA definition (Florida, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, South Dakota and North Carolina)
Mobilizing for Reproductive Rights
Hadassah members and supporters took action in 2024 to safeguard the whole spectrum of reproductive healthcare.
- At the State Level: Hadassah advocates worked to educate voters and empower them to make their voices heard on reproductive choice ballot initiatives in 10 states.
- In Congress: Hadassah supported measures to protect women’s health and reproductive freedom, including the right to contraception, emergency healthcare and fertility treatments, including IVF.
- At the Supreme Court: Hadassah joined amicus briefs in three pivotal reproductive rights cases across the nation, two at the US Supreme Court and one before an Indiana trial court.
Standing Up for Israel: 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know
Hadassah has been lifting up the voices of American Zionist women since before the creation of the State of Israel. In 2024, we released our second annual list of American Zionist women building bridges, making an impact and shaping Zionism.
Advancing Women’s Health Research
Hadassah has long been committed to women’s health equity and remains deeply concerned by the tremendous gaps in knowledge across the US regarding female biology, disease presentation and other women’s health issues. Hadassah advocates supported legislation to address women’s health as it relates to multiple diseases, and, on March 18, then-interim Co-CEO Sheryl Zeligson represented Hadassah at the White House to celebrate Women’s History Month and the announcement of President Biden’s proposed funding of $100 million for women’s health research.
More Ways Hadassah’s Voice Had Impact
- Timely Programs: The Hadassah Educators Council presented a conversation with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, about antisemitism in US education and what teachers can do to educate students and their communities.
- Talking Points: Hadassah voices amplified Hadassah’s core values and expanded our reach and visibility, including during Women’s History Month in March and Jewish American Heritage Month in May.
- Resources: To address rising antisemitism on college campuses and across the country, Hadassah produced and distributed multiple highly effective guides and launched a global End The Hate ad campaign to raise awareness and promote Hadassah’s materials to a wider audience.
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our National Action Center
met with Congressional
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