Leveraging the impact of a successful inaugural tour last summer, a new delegation of Hadassah Medical Organization doctors and Youth Aliyah students traveled to the US in August to bridge the figurative and literal distance between Hadassah support in the States and the lifechanging impact it enables in the aftermath of October 7, 2023 — and all year long.
The encore Bring Israel to the US tour bookended Hadassah’s 2025 National Conference in Florida, bringing doctors and students face-to-face with Hadassah donors, members and potential supporters in intimate settings in several towns, where they were welcomed with open arms. They opened their hearts. And that inspired their audiences’ generosity.
“Bringing the Israelis to the US connects and educates members and donors to the projects that they support, including Hadassah Medical Organization research and groundbreaking treatments and Youth Aliyah,” said Karen Ezrine, who co-chaired this year’s initiative with Merna Shapiro. “The personal encounters inspire passion for our mission and stimulate increased donations.”
When Tracey Drayer, co-coordinator for Hadassah’s Philanthropy Division, and her husband, Keith — both having worked in the corporate side of dentistry for 30 years — learned that Dr. Esi Sharon Sagie, acting director of the Postgraduate Specialization Program in Prosthodontics, would be in the US, they were excited to make a connection between her and the New York City dental community.
"I wanted to take part in this initiative because I know how impactful the interactions between HWZOA members, donors and supporters and representatives from Hadassah in Israel are for advancing our mission,” said Drayer.
Together, they helped arrange for Dr. Sharon to speak before members of the NYC chapter of the Alpha Omega International Dental Society. About 30 attendees, mostly dental residents and young practicing dentists, heard about forensic dentistry and how Dr. Sharon led a team of dentists in identifying victims of October 7, 2023.
The room fell completely silent as Dr. Sharon spoke, according to Gidon Melmed, executive director of the Hadassah Offices in Israel. “You could feel the weight of her words.”
Despite not being a Hadassah member, Kelly Lehman embraced the opportunity to welcome Meir Shfeyah Youth Aliyah Village students Hana Shvarzman and Darya Dubrovsky and counselor Tomer Bar into her Atlanta home. “I knew it would be meaningful,” she said of the event that introduced the teens to some 20 members of Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation. “Hearing directly from Hana, Darya and Tomer transformed headlines into relatable individuals, making Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah feel tangible and real. The evening effectively bridged the gap between concern and action, allowing our community to witness firsthand how care, safety and education positively impact lives in the present moment,” she added.
“No one wanted to leave,” said Youth Aliyah Chair Michele Rubin. “Bringing Youth Aliyah students to the United States has an immeasurable impact for both the students and Hadassah's Evolve members. Our Evolve members are able to put a face to the Youth Aliyah villages and really connect with them. Youth Aliyah students are able to learn how Hadassah supports them. The students are overwhelmed by the love and support they feel from Hadassah members.”
Judy Goldman, major gifts chair for Hadassah Southern New England, hosted nearly 50 major and prospective donors in her Mashpee, Massachusetts, home for an event with Dr. Baruch Batzofin, acting department chair of the General Intensive Care Unit. The senior anesthesiologist and critical care physician spoke about making aliyah from South Africa, being a combat medic in the IDF and evacuating wounded soldiers to Hadassah hospitals to treat them in the intensive care unit.
“Our guests came away learning more about critical care medicine and were, in turn, enthusiastic about financially supporting Hadassah hospitals,” said Goldman. “Dr. Batzofin had everyone amazed by complex medical situations in the intensive care unit and the juxtaposition of his IDF responsibilities.” The event raised more than $65,000.
On Long Island, 50 members of the Hadassah Commack Hills Tova Chapter, Hadassah Suffolk and the Dix Hills Jewish Center gathered at the synagogue to hear Barbara Sofer, Israel director of public relations, share updates on advancements at the Hadassah Medical Organization and the patients benefitting from them. Guests heard about reaching adulthood with cystic fibrosis — a rare phenomenon — back surgeries using robots and a vaccine to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, as well as an IDF soldier regaining function at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus.
“Her moving reports left our members informed and ready to donate to Hadassah to help complete the center,” said chapter president Ellen Zuckerman of Sofer. “On their way out, many members commented that they found the program very worthwhile.”
Also on Long Island, at the home of Debbie Pinsky, president of Hadassah’s Sandsport/Shoshana Chapter, senior general surgeon Dr. Gad Marom shared with more than 20 major donors and major donor prospects about using robotics for surgery, his research on organoids and being in charge of 3,000 soldiers as a medical brigade commander in the IDF.
Moved by what they’ve heard, attendees committed to donating over $155,000 to Hadassah.
At a parlor meeting at the home of Doryne Davis in Englewood, New Jersey, a grateful patient, an IDF soldier, told an audience of 55 major donors and prospects from Hadassah Northern New Jersey about the injuries he sustained to his hand and leg in Gaza and how he can walk again thanks to the critical care he received at Hadassah hospitals and exceptional rehabilitation services at the Gandel Center. He was joined by Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah CEO Ellen Finkelstein, Hadassah Chief Development Officer Steven Mark, Hadassah Medical Organization Director General Prof. Yoram Weiss and Hadassah Medical Organization Board Chair Dalia Itzik, who spoke about groundbreaking medical research and our post-October 7, 2023, emergency preparedness.
“As a lifelong Hadassah member for many years, I felt it was my duty, as well as my privilege, to host this phenomenally turned-out event,” said Davis. Hearing from the patient, she said, helped “paint a mental picture of just how important Hadassah hospitals are to patients in general, but to wounded soldiers, in particular.”
To the Hadassah supporters who played an integral role in this tour, Shapiro said, “We are grateful to our committed members, ardent Zionists with a passion for Hadassah’s mission. They show up when called upon. Toda raba to those who opened up their homes and ensured the success of this special initiative.”
“Our medical teams left Israel carrying heavy burdens, and to return knowing they had inspired people to stand with us — whether through advocacy or meaningful support — gave them renewed strength and purpose,” said Melmed.
