A Shabbat to Remember Hadassah’s Beginnings, Accomplishments

Before Hadassah members and supporters across the country heard the Megillah and noshed on hamantaschen in celebration of Purim, they commemorated Hadassah during Hadassah Shabbat Zachor — a grand observance in its own right.

“Our Hadassah family is always more than eager to share their pride in Hadassah, and Hadassah Shabbat Zachor is a wonderful opportunity for those not familiar with Hadassah to learn just what we are capable of,” said Miriam Aron, immediate past chair of Hadassah’s Jewish Education Team.

Now in its 13th year, Hadassah Shabbat Zachor, which takes place on the Shabbat preceding the holiday, has seen, since its inception, Hadassah units partner with more than 150 of their local synagogues to pay tribute to Hadassah’s century-long lifechanging work during their services.

The Shabbat before Purim holds significance to Hadassah, which was founded around the time of the holiday. This Shabbat reminds us that our founder Henrietta Szold was inspired by Purim’s heroine, Queen Esther, to be a woman of action.

This year, many chapters — Bat Harim/Inland North County in California, Austin, Southern Nevada, Greater Blue Hills in Massachusetts, to name a few — did their part to spread the word, encouraging members via social media and flyers to participate.

Others organized different activities and were creative in their venue choices.

• Hadassah Great Plains virtually observed Havdalah, ending Hadassah Shabbat Zachor celebrations together across the region.
• Hadassah Florida chapters held services on a beach and in a senior living center.
• Hadassah members and Associates from Knoxville-Oak Ridge in Tennessee led Saturday morning services.
• The Gesher Chapter in New Jersey hosted Oneg Shabbat in collaboration with Shirat Hayam synagogue, and the Shawsheen Valley Chapter in Massachusetts sponsored a kiddush at Temple Beth Israel in Waltham.

On this Shabbat, chapters using the Hadassah Shabbat Zachor booklet have the option to use a new sermon written by Hadassah’s Jewish Education Team. The sermon highlights recent accomplishments of Hadassah, the Hadassah Medical Organization and Youth Aliyah, and connects to Parshat Zachor, the Torah portion of that Shabbat, which recalls how evil can be transformed into good, focusing on the victory of Israel over Amalek.