On July 21, Hadassah partnered with the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) in Washington, DC, to cohost the inaugural National Conference of Women Changemakers, bringing together leaders across different religions and backgrounds to combat hate. In a strong display of unity, Hadassah and AMMWEC advocates joined together in the halls of Congress to advocate for standing up to all forms of hatred, including rising antisemitism.
Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz Leads Panel
As part of the conference, Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz moderated a panel on antisemitism in healthcare that featured insights from Michelle Stravitz, CEO of the American Jewish Medical Association; Alissa Thomas-Newborn, president of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, and Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer, president of the Association of Jewish Psychologists. The discussion highlighted the increasing antisemitism in the healthcare space and underscored the need to ensure that Jewish providers, patients and medical students feel safe and included.
In closing the panel, Schwartz emphasized, “We are much stronger when we stand together rather than standing apart.”
Throughout the conference, panelists and attendees also held important discussions about the proliferation of hate on social media and the growing problem of antisemitism in education, especially on college campuses.
Advocating in the Halls of Congress
Hadassah volunteers and leaders Carol Ann Schwartz, Elizabeth Cullen, Jill Goldstone, Joyce Laiter, Kathy Hershfield, Gail Moskowitz and Luisa Narins met with members of Congress alongside their AMMWEC counterparts, expressing concerns around the religiously motivated hatred and rising antisemitism that both Jewish and Muslim communities are facing. Members shared personal stories of discrimination with lawmakers and engaged in an interfaith dialogue to combat hatred of all kinds, highlighting the power of joining together across ethnicities, religions and backgrounds in the name of a common cause.
Reflecting on the day at the Capitol, Jill Goldstone, Education & Advocacy Division vice coordinator, shared, “Meeting legislators in person is a fulfilling, impactful way to make a difference in advocacy efforts. We met with legislators to ask for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, so all nonprofits threatened by terrorism have the necessary security to operate safely.”
The two days spent at the nation’s capital building community and advocating for social change were inspiring for all who attended.
Following the conference, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that applications for the 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program has opened. The program was allocated $274.5 million for the 2025 grant cycle.
Hadassah will always stand up to antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Join us in taking action and visit our National Action Center to call on your members of Congress to address the alarming rise in antisemitism.
