2025 Edition: 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know
The 18 women on our 2025 list help us lift up Zionism with pride — their viewpoints enhancing the diversity that’s long shaped Zionist expression.
#hadassah18
Meet a Muslim women’s-rights activist; an Emmy Award-winning actress and an Ethiopian Jew (IDF paratrooper turned New York politician), and that's just three of our women Zionists.
As educators, politicians, activists, founders, Hadassah leaders and more, these women are doing the critical work of educating on and advocating for Zionism in the US and around the world. At Hadassah, we’ve fostered and promoted Zionist ideals for over 100 years, and our founder Henrietta Szold’s vision lives on through us. We take to heart our responsibility to empower Zionist women who advocate for and defend Israel.
Anila Ali
Muslim American Activist
Anila Ali is president of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), which in March 2025 co-hosted an interfaith iftar on Capitol Hill with Hadassah, and she has spoken out as a Muslim woman about the weaponization of sexual violence against Israeli women and girls at an interfaith screening of Screams Before Silence that AMMWEC co-hosted with Hadassah.
Born in Pakistan and living in Washington, DC, she bridges divides and advances women’s empowerment. After 9/11, Anila spoke out against border profiling, working with the NYU Center for Human Rights and Global Justice and collaborating on the documentary Americans On Hold. Now a retired teacher, she served on the Irvine Public School Foundation and is the author of books on radicalization and education for the post-9/11 classroom. Anila was the only Muslim woman organizational leader to support the Abraham Accords.
Galia Amram
Lawyer and Jewish Nonprofit Leader
Galia Amram is associate general counsel at a tech company where she oversees internal risk, investigations and child safety. She was previously a partner at an international law firm. Galia serves on the board of San Francisco's Jewish Community Federation and the North American board of the Union for Reform Judaism. Galia is devoted to supporting Israel as a vibrant Jewish and democratic state and has assisted the Israel Policy Forum, the Jewish Agency, the Israel Religious Action Center and the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism in their work.
Emily Austin
Broadcaster and Pro-Israel Advocate
A TV personality from New York, Emily Austin is a sports broadcaster for DAZN and has worked as an MTV anchor, served as a Miss Universe judge and hosted her own sports show. She has a social media following of over 2.6 million and often commentates on Fox News and other news networks.
She is a passionate advocate against antisemitism and is vocal in her support for Israel. She has been awarded The Jerusalem Post’s award for combating antisemitism, the Minister of Diaspora’s Advocacy Award, Channel 7’s Outspoken Award, Batsheva’s Fierce Woman Award and many more. Emily speaks around the globe to groups of all ages on antisemitism. As a public speaker, she also covers Gen Z, politics, women’s issues and sports media.
Bellamy Bellucci
Black, Transgender Jewish Social Media Advocate
Bellamy Bellucci is a South African-born dancer, model and advocate known for her unique intersectional identity as a Black, transgender Jewish woman. She is passionate about Israel, using social media to combat antisemitism and promote inclusivity.
Bellamy trained at the National School of the Arts, the South African Ballet Theatre School and The Washington School of Ballet, and she belonged to companies such as Les Ballets Grandiva and Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.
Bellamy's multifaceted identity and experiences have made her a prominent voice in discussions about diversity and representation within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Suzanne Patt Benvenisti
Hadassah Executive
Suzie Patt Benvenisti is executive director of Hadassah Offices in Israel, where she works closely with Hadassah hospitals and youth villages to ensure their continued growth and success. She leads a team of 30 who are liaisons between Israel and supporters around the world. Suzie was instrumental in Hadassah’s response to October 7, 2023, and the war, including initiating the Yellow Nail campaign to highlight the brutal acts committed by Hamas against Israeli women and girls and to complement Hadassah’s global End The Silence campaign demanding an end to the use of rape as a weapon of war. In 2025, she brought Hadassah together with the Hapoel Lev Jerusalem women’s basketball club to empower the next generation of Israeli women. Suzie serves on the board of Keren Kayemet L’Israel and lives in Jerusalem.
Stephanie Bonder
Jewish Educator and Hadassah Leader
Stephanie Z. Bonder is a dedicated Zionist, advocate for Jewish education and active Hadassah leader. Stephanie serves on Hadassah's National Board and National Portfolio Council and is an area VP/advisor for Hadassah Northern New Jersey. She plays key roles in education and advocacy, representing Hadassah at the United Nations and the World Zionist Congress.
With over 10 years in public education and 17 years at Golda Och Academy, Stephanie has held leadership roles in the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and Congregation Agudath Israel. She recently earned a second master’s degree in Jewish education from Hebrew University. Coming from a six-generation Zionist family, her passion for Israel began in high school through AIPAC’s teen leadership program and continued with her studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Caroline D'Amore
Founder and Pro-Israel Activist
A proud advocate for Jewish causes, Caroline uses public speaking, philanthropy and social media to foster dialogue, combat antisemitism and misinformation and ensure that Jewish heritage is honored and preserved for future generations. She supports initiatives that strengthen Jewish communities and amplify voices working toward unity and inclusivity.
Caroline is an entrepreneur and creative force in the culinary world and is the founder of Pizza Girl sauces. She's also made her mark in the entertainment industry as a TV personality, DJ and actress.
Hilary Hawn
Community Advocate, Educator and Writer
Hilary Hawn is a California-based community advocate, educator and writer. For the past five years, she has played a crucial role in combatting antisemitism on Instagram (@hilalove).
Hilary's ability to embrace the diaspora and the Jewish ancestral homeland comes from her strong Jewish upbringing, her understanding of Jewish history and her study of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, where facing antisemitism/anti-Zionism encouraged her to speak out. Her mantra is “no crumbs" when confronting antisemitism: Jews can no longer accept mere crumbs from organizations, public figures, allies and so-called friends.
In 2024, Hilary volunteered in Israel, helping repaint a mural in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom destroyed by Hamas. Tangibly helping people affected by October 7, 2023, has been the highlight of her advocacy and one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.
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Patricia Heaton
Christian Zionist Activist, Philanthropist and Award-Winning Actress
Patricia Heaton is an Emmy Award-winning actress, bestselling author, producer and dedicated philanthropist. In 2024, she founded the October 7th Coalition (O7C), a movement committed to supporting and protecting the Jewish community, promoting Israel's right to exist and rejecting antisemitism.
The coalition's mission is to unite, promote and encourage meaningful public and private action in the Christian community to strengthen relationships with the Jewish community. Through ecumenical opportunities, O7C aims to educate, find common ground and encourage Christians to support the Jewish community in their sphere of influence.
Patricia's efforts as a devoted advocate have been recognized globally, including by Israel Allies Foundation as one of Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies of 2024.
Michal Ilai
Israel Educator
Michal Ilai is the senior Israel educator at Shalom Austin. Her 30-year career has focused on Jewish identity, Israel-diaspora relations and Zionism, and she has founded programs, facilitated workshops and designed curricula to strengthen Jewish peoplehood. The notion that the Hebrew language, Judaism and Israel comprise our collective identity has informed Michal's work. Michal is a proud member of Hadassah.
Her love for education ignited while serving in the Israel Defense Forces as a teacher for people making aliyah and soldiers unable to read. After moving to Texas and attending university, she became a Hadassah life member and has been active in every city in which she's lived, in roles spanning from recruitment and engagement to Zionist education.
Michal holds an MA in Jewish professional studies from Gratz College, earning a Certificate of Hebrew Instruction.
Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll
American Israeli Writer and Activist
A grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll was taught never to be a bystander. She writes about Judaism, women's issues and Israel for publications including The Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post and The Jewish Chronicle (UK) and serves as co-host of "The Quad" on JNS TV, where she discusses current events and battles anti-Israel misinformation.
As co-founder of Chochmat Nashim, Shoshana balances defending Israel and the Jewish people with fighting religious extremism and the marginalization of women. Through the organization's projects, JewishLifePhotos.com and RateMyBeitDin.com, she raises representation of Orthodox women with a stock photo bank of real Orthodox Jewish women and families and aims to improve the rabbinic court system, where too many women find themselves chained to dead marriages.
Allison Tombros Korman
Founder and Women’s Health Activist
Over two decades, Hadassah member Allison Tombros Korman has forged a path of leadership and dedication in reproductive health and rights. She is the founder of the Red Tent Fund, where she creates an inclusive, accepting space for those who need or support access to reproductive health services. Following October 7, 2023, Allison took a bold stand against intolerance, resigning from the top position at a Washington, DC, nonprofit that helps those who want to make their own reproductive choices when confronted with antisemitic conduct by staff and board members. As founding executive director of Culture of Respect, she spearheaded a national initiative to end campus sexual violence, where she witnessed firsthand the critical importance of standing up for survivors. Allison has managed programs for organizations, including USAID, CDC and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.
Esther Panitch
Politician and Lawyer
Esther Panitch is a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Before entering politics, she was a prominent criminal defense and family law attorney, gaining recognition as a legal analyst on various television networks.
In 2022, Esther, a member of Hadassah's Greater Atlanta/Ketura Chapter, made history when elected to represent Georgia's House District 51, becoming the first woman elected by the district and the only Jewish member of the Georgia state legislature at that time. Throughout her legislative career, she has been a vocal advocate for issues related to criminal justice reform, public safety and combating antisemitism.
Esther continues to balance her legal practice with her legislative responsibilities, bringing her legal expertise to her work in the Georgia General Assembly, including as a co-sponsor of legislation adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Mazi Pilip
Ethiopian-Israeli-American Politician and Zionist Advocate
Mazi Melesa Pilip is serving her second term as a Nassau County, New York, legislator for the 10th Legislative District, which includes Great Neck, Manhasset, New Hyde Park, Roslyn and Plandome.
At the age of 12, Mazi immigrated from Ethiopia to Israel with her family as part of Operation Solomon and would later serve as a gunsmith in the Israel Defense Forces' elite Paratrooper Brigade.
Yocheved Ruttenberg
Founder and Mobilizer
Yocheved Ruttenberg is the founder and CEO of Sword of Iron - Israel Volunteer Opportunities, a hub for volunteers that has helped mobilize over 40,000 people worldwide since October 7, 2023. Living in Dallas and working in roofing, she left everything and flew to Israel just days after October 7, bringing 23 duffel bags full of supplies she'd collected via social media. A two-week trip turned into aliyah when she canceled her return flight, and since then Yocheved has dedicated herself fully to bridging gaps between communities globally and inspiring people around the world to take action.
Deborah Villanueva
Health Professional, Educator and Zionist Activist
Dr. Deborah Villanueva is a dedicated mental and behavioral health professional, educator and Zionist advocate shaping the future of Jewish leadership and engagement. As organizational vice president, Evolve chair and women’s health chair for Hadassah's Long Beach/Orange County Chapter and a Hadassah Southern California board member, she leads initiatives that empower women, advance Jewish continuity and strengthen the connection between American Jewry and Israel. In The Times of Israel, she has written about the intersection of Jewish identity, mental health and advocacy. As vice president of education at Temple Beth-El San Pedro, she fosters inclusive learning environments that inspire action. Whether championing gender inclusivity, women’s health or Zionist education, Deborah is ensuring that the next generation of Zionist women carries forward the legacy of Hadassah with strength and purpose.
Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath
Award-Winning Jewish Educator and Author
Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath is an award-winning Jewish educator and learner, recognized as an expert on Zionism, Israel, antisemitism, Jewish identity and Jewish adolescents. She is senior director of knowledge, ideas and learning at The Jewish Education Project. Her book, #antisemitism: Coming of Age During the Resurgence of Hate, was a finalist for the 2022 National Jewish Book Award. Samantha is a sought-after speaker on Jewish identity and choices before and after October 7, 2023, and a leading voice on the American Jewish experience of this transitional moment. A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Samantha is passionate about the past, present and future of the Jewish people and is committed to Israel and Zionist education as central to a comprehensive Jewish education.
Elena Yacov
Pro-Israel Nonprofit Professional
Elena Yacov is a leading force in Zionist philanthropy, driving initiatives that strengthen pro-Israel advocacy worldwide. As the executive director of the Milstein Family Foundation, she oversees strategic grantmaking, operations and programming, with a focus on nonprofit capacity building and fostering collaboration among grantees.
She also directs the Impact Forum Foundation, a network of philanthropists supporting initiatives that drive meaningful change in Israel advocacy and the fight against antisemitism. As president of the TalkIsrael Foundation, she empowers young content creators to use social media to foster positive conversations about Israel.
Recognized by The Jerusalem Post as one of 25 “ViZIONaries,” Elena plays a key role in guiding philanthropists and nonprofits to maximize their impact.
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Discover the inspiring stories of Hadassah 18 Women honorees from previous years.
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