A new group of Hadassah women begin the journey
By Seth Mandel
September 12, 2008
After two years of planning, the next generation of
The group, L'Dor V'Dor (from generation to generation) of
"Our hopes are very inspiring -- to grow into a larger group to continue the next generation of Hadassah women," Kean told the group's founding members, who signed the charter at the
Hadassah Southern N.J. regional president Shelley Kaplan also attended, and called it a historic event for the Hadassah region.
"Marnie Kean has been an inspiration to all of us, and I applaud you, Marnie, for your continued enthusiasm in pursuing this chartering, and for your passion in Hadassah," Kaplan said.
Kaplan spoke about Hadassah's strong Zionist values and its history with
"We are an organization of Zionists," Kaplan said. "We started out in 1912 as practical Zionists, building and nurturing the land, and we continue to practice this Hadassah value today."
Kaplan mentioned the organization's work with at-risk children, its hospitals at
"Hadassah will always be the organization that builds bridges to peace," she said.
Kaplan said Hadassah is a leading advocate in women's health care and Jewish education.
"We are women who strongly believe in the power of one and the power of many," she said. "We believe in the preservation of the Jewish people through education and continuity, and the protection of Jewish rights."
The charter members of L'Dor V'Dor are: President Marnie Kean; V.P. of membership Sharon Bender, with Membership Committee Sara Welner and Bethany Goldstein; co-V.P. of education Jackie Alter and Nadine Resnick, with Education Committee member Sara Welner; co-V.P. of programming Celeste Albert and Debbie Stoltz; fund-raising V.P. Rhea Zucker; fund-raising liaison Jennifer Manson; PR/recording secretary Celeste Albert; corresponding secretaries Caryn Liebman and Jennifer Manson; and treasurer Jennifer Manson.
"We have seen all the good that Hadassah does through its programs for youth, Hadassah Medical Organization, the environment, women's health, medical research, and it is one of the largest women's Zionist organizations in the
When Kaplan introduced each member of the board, she offered a comparison to a leading Zionist woman in recent Jewish history. For Welner, Kaplan chose Henrietta Szold, one of the founders of Hadassah. The connection was deeper than Kaplan realized, however, as Szold's cousins enjoyed lifelong friendships with Welner's mother, Karen Mandel, who was also present at the meeting, and grandmother, Charlotte Krupnick -- both active life members of Hadassah.
"When the presenter chose Henrietta Szold as the role model for Sara, I could tell what effect that had on Karen and how she was thinking of our family connection," Welner's father, Larry Mandel, told The Jewish State. "I could see how proud she is -- of course I am, too -- not just for Sara's involvement in a great Jewish and Zionist organization, but the personal connection that her mother and bubbe have with the Szold family."