NEW YORK - Close to 2,000 Hadassah members from all over the U.S. will gather in Washington for the annual national convention of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, to be held July 17-20.
The 91st annual convention will bring together the two most important concepts to Hadassah members: American patriotism and love of Israel, perfectly captured by this year’s convention theme, “What So Proudly We Hail.”
Over the course of three days, a roster of government officials, academic experts, and medical professionals will serve as keynote speakers and on discussion panels, empowering delegates to advocate with their national and local representatives on an array of American and Israel-based issues.
“There is a certain energy in 2,000 Hadassah members arriving in the nation’s capital that always makes a Washington convention especially exhilarating,” said Hadassah president June Walker. “This year, we are particularly energized by the recent vote in the House of Representatives in favor of stem cell research and by our activities this past spring to promote positive stem cell legislation. We plan to take that message - and the message of preserving a strong, safe Israel - to our representatives on the Hill.”
The national convention serves as an educational and motivational forum to launch and enhance volunteer programs that delegates will use in their chapter and unit activities throughout the upcoming year.
Attending delegates comprise the governing body of Hadassah, and during the convention they elect officials and pass policies and resolutions on Zionist and American issues. Socializing, networking, and rejuvenating one’s spirit are also major components of Hadassah conventions.
The chairs of the confrence are Joyce Rabin of Woodmere, N.Y., and Judy Palkovitz, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Program highlights:
- Plenary session, The State of the Union: to examine the alliance between the U.S. and Israel and feature Daniel Ayalon, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., and Sen. Joseph R. Biden (D-Delaware).
- In keeping with the convention’s capital theme, it will be run like a political convention with a series of caucuses and plenaries addressing issues of concern.
- Israel on the Hill will feature Prof. Shlomo Avineri, Hebrew University; Ester Kurz, of AIPAC; Tamar Cofman Wittes, Saban Center for Middle East Policy.
- The First Amendment: Are Your Freedoms at Risk?: Gloria Feldt, past president, Planned Parenthood; Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (D-Illinois); Nadine Strossen, president, ACLU.
- The Future of Advanced Medical Research: Rep. Mike Castle (R-Delaware); Prof. Benjamin E. Reubinoff, Director Hadassah Research Center of Human Embryonic Stem Cells; Daniel Perry, president, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.
- Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear: Dr. Nieca Goldberg, Lenox Hill Hospital; Dr. Vivian W. Pinn, NIH; Judy Palkovitz, convention Co-Chairwoman.
- Politics & Policy - Why Women Matter: Ellen Malcolm, president, EMILY’s List; Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author; Linda Chavez, political analyst; Dee Dee Myers, political commentator.
Some 1,500 delegates will spend an entire morning on Capitol Hill advocating on U.S. and Israeli issues with their own senators and representatives.
The Henrietta Szold Award, Hadassah’s highest honor, will be given to the Daniel Kurtzer, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, and Sheila Kurtzer, president, Corps Diplomatique.
Delegates will be fully briefed on Hadassah’s medical and educational projects in Israel and entertained by Israeli singer Dudu Fisher and political satire musical group, the Capitol Steps.
