Hadassah Congratulates Herzog on Presidency

August 2, 2021

Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow and Hadassah Executive Director/CEO Janice Weinman released a statement on June 2, 2021, following the election of Isaac Herzog as the 11th President of Israel:

“Hadassah extends its heartfelt congratulations to Isaac Herzog on his election as the 11th President of the State of Israel. In April, when President-elect Herzog visited Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, he affirmed his longstanding support for Hadassah and our hospitals. Hadassah looks forward to working side by side with the President-elect to further advance a strong US-Israel relationship and to bring Hadassah healing to the people of Israel and the world, just as we did with his predecessor, President Reuven Rivlin, and as we did with his father, President Chaim Herzog, named as a recipient of Hadassah’s top honor, the Henrietta Szold Award.”

In his last public appearance before becoming President, Herzog visited Hadassah Neurim Youth Aliyah Village in support of a fundraising event held on April 23, 2021. Here he is pictured with Barbara Goldstein, Deputy Director Hadassah Office Israel.

Central to Hadassah’s mission is the well-being of future generations, and the Hadassah-supported Meir Shfeyah and Neurim Youth Aliyah villages help put at-risk children on a path to success. Nearly a third of children in Israel live in poverty, and almost half a million suffer from high-risk situations such as abuse, learning disabilities, or a lack of basic needs. Still, others come to Israel from places around the world where it is no longer safe to be a Jew.

Since 1934, over 300,000 students from 80 lands have graduated from Youth Aliyah.

Young immigrants and at-risk native Israelis receive a full spectrum of help — shelter, food, counseling, education, and other supportive services. From Hebrew lessons and classes on Jewish heritage to athletics and art, they get the care and attention needed to become productive members of Israeli society.

Hadassah (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 HMO’s 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.” For information, visit www.hadassah.org, or to make a donation, visit http://www.hadassah.org/donations.

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