HADASSAH CEO JANICE WEINMAN TO STEP DOWN AFTER NINE YEARS
February 8, 2021
NEW YORK, NY– Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA), announces that Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director Janice Weinman will step down after nine years as the organization’s leader, effective July 1, 2021.
During her tenure at Hadassah, Dr. Weinman worked in partnership with the National Board of Hadassah to help the organization realize its mission to support Israel; facilitate the work of the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), the organization’s two hospitals in Jerusalem; fight antisemitism; and advance the cause of women’s health.
Under her leadership, Hadassah played a critical role in the 2020 passage of the Never Again Education Act, which has brought America closer to ensuring that the country never forget the tragedy of the Holocaust; created new collaborative initiatives serving individuals throughout the United States; bolstered the organization’s relationship with the United Nations; increased support for Hadassah’s hospitals; launched reConceiving Infertility, a national initiative to support families dealing with infertility; created the Coalition for Women’s Health Equity; and initiated many domestic programs.
Inside Hadassah, Dr. Weinman built a powerful leadership team, worked with volunteers and staff to create and implement a multi-year strategic plan to restructure the organization, introduced systems to streamline and modernize its operations and expanded its communications platforms. Most recently, she led Hadassah’s effort to respond quickly to the unprecedented challenges of 2020: the emergence of a global pandemic and the societal awakening to the urgent need for diversity, equity and inclusion. She introduced a program to ensure that all employees are able to identify and address unconscious bias, and seamlessly moved Hadassah to an at-home work model while developing an ever-expanding portfolio of virtual programs for its 300,000 members, Associates, donors and supporters.
Said Rhoda Smolow, President of Hadassah: “Under Janice’s leadership, Hadassah has become a much stronger and more effective organization. We will miss her stewardship and the commitment, intelligence and collaborative spirit with which she approaches everything. We wish her well as she moves on to the next exciting phase of her career.”
Said Dr. Weinman: “It has been a privilege to collaborate with Hadassah’s National Board and three accomplished presidents to lead this historic organization, one whose mission is so close to my heart. The achievements graciously attributed to me are Hadassah’s collective accomplishments, those of dedicated and committed volunteers and a talented professional staff.”
Dr. Weinman joined Hadassah after a series of high-profile leadership positions. She served as President of K.I.D.S., an organization supporting millions of children in need around the world, Corporate Vice President for External Affairs of The Mount Sinai Hospital/NYU Medical Center and Health System in New York City, Executive Director and CEO of the American Association of University Women and Executive Vice President of the College Board. She also served as the assistant to the US Secretary of Education in both the Carter and Clinton administrations. She has held leadership positions at a variety of civic organizations and earned an EdD and an MA from Harvard University and a BA from Brandeis University.
About Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA)
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With nearly 300,000 members, Associates, and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change and advocate on such critical issues as ensuring the security of Israel, combating antisemitism, and promoting women’s health. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) two hospitals in Jerusalem, Hadassah delivers exemplary patient care to over a million people every year and supports world-renowned medical research. HMO serves without regard to race, religion, or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace.” Additionally, Hadassah supports several Youth Aliyah villages that set at-risk children in Israel on the path to a successful future. For more information, visit www.hadassah.org.