When Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz travels to Israel on official Hadassah business, she rarely comes empty-handed.
She comes bearing gifts whenever possible.
This July, in between official meetings with Hadassah and Israeli leaders and policymakers — including a day at the Knesset — she paid a visit to the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Mother and Child Center at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, toting bags stuffed with dolls for its pediatric patients. Not just any dolls, but surgical dolls. With special features such as IVs, splints and sutures, these dolls are used by medical professionals to explain various medical and surgical procedures to their youngest patients. This helps children better understand what to expect during their hospital stay. The dolls are dressed in hospital gowns and caps, yet are purposefully faceless to add the element of personalization. They also serve as an emotional outlet, allowing patients to express their feelings about their illness, injury or hospitalization.
The dolls were handmade with love and care by members and friends of Hadassah Greater Detroit in a workroom at the Henrietta Szold Hadassah House that’s stocked with sewing machines, fabric, knitting materials and more.
"Each doll we send is a hug from Hadassah Greater Detroit to a child in Israel, a reminder that even in the hardest moments, they are loved, supported and never alone,” said Marcie Rosen, president of Hadassah Greater Detroit. “With over 80,000 dolls lovingly made, we’ve delivered comfort and compassion when children are at their most vulnerable."
“This is about delivering hope, uplifting spirits and spreading positivity,” said Schwartz. “I’m grateful to Hadassah Greater Detroit for doing what they can to help our littlest patients heal.”
Schwartz has been delivering gifts to children at the Bloomberg Center for years, including when, as Hadassah national secretary, she brought hand-knit blankets, toys and clothes collected by members of Hadassah’s Cincinnati chapter.
While in Israel, Schwartz, along with Hadassah Medical Organization Board Chair Dalia Itzik, met with members of the Knesset, including Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Minister Benny Gantz. She shared our pride in helping build Israel’s medical infrastructure and how, today, Hadassah hospitals are global leaders in medical care.
With a focus on working together to advance Hadassah’s mission, Schwartz also met with Hadassah leaders, including Gidon Melmed, executive director of the Hadassah Offices in Israel; Prof. Yoram Weiss, director general of the Hadassah Medical Organization; Dr. Yaniv Sherer, director of Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem; Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, head of the Hadassah Medical Organization's Department of Hematology; Prof. Avi Rivkind, founding head of Hadassah Ein Kerem's Shock Trauma Unit, and Dr. Tamar Elram, director of Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus.
