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A membership tea. A chance to make friends. For Josie Kivort, saying yes to joining Hadassah became the first of many yeses, leading to decades of Hadassah involvement locally and nationally: as a volunteer, philanthropist and advocate.
A longtime national leader and member of the Guardians of the Dream giving society, Kivort has served the organization at every level, from chapter and region president to her current service on Hadassah’s National Assembly and Honorary Council. Today, she also works with the Major Gifts team for the Northern New England Region and serves as co-advisor to the Hadassah Rochester and Greater Buffalo chapters.
Her philanthropy has grown alongside her leadership, shaped by the causes closest to her heart. One of the most personal is diabetes research at the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO). Kivort’s oldest son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while attending law school, and she has closely followed advances at the Hadassah Diabetes Center at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem.
Her late husband, Stanley, also played an important role in the family’s growing commitment to Hadassah. While Kivort was serving as president of the Upper New York State Region, he suggested they become Founders. At the time, the giving level was $15,000; today, Founders are recognized for cumulative contributions of $36,000. The couple reached the level through a one-time commitment paid over several years, and their support continued to deepen in the years that followed.
As Kivort learned more about philanthropy, she discovered new ways to make an impact, including through distributions from her IRA. Learning about these options expanded the ways she could support the causes she cares about. Now, she hopes other Hadassah members will discover those possibilities too.
“Maybe there are people out there who want to give but just don’t know the ways they can,” she said. “I was a novice at it, but I learned.”
Finding Her Place in Hadassah
Hadassah quickly became more than the social connection Kivort had initially been seeking.
“Hadassah’s Zionist message resonated with me,” she recalled. “It was like a lightbulb went off.”
Kivort grew up in a Zionist family in Boston, where Israel was part of her life from an early age. Her father organized Young Judaea clubs long before she was born, and she grew up hearing stories about those groups. As a young girl, she attended Camp Pembroke, a Jewish Zionist summer camp in Massachusetts, where Hadassah was an integral part of camp life at the time.
“I’ve often said that I received my graduate degree from Hadassah,” she said. “I never had any intention of becoming a leader in this amazing organization. I was quite shy, scared to speak at the microphone and really didn't know much about Hadassah.”
With encouragement from mentors and leadership training through Hadassah, Kivort gradually found her voice. Fourteen years after joining, she became president of the Hadassah Schenectady Chapter. She later served as president of what was then the Upper New York State Region before moving into national leadership. She also remains connected with women from the former Hadassah Capital District, many of whom continue to stay involved.
“Many of my friends and I were homemakers,” Kivort said. “We learned how to be leaders through Hadassah. It opened our eyes to opportunities and experiences we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
“Josie’s journey is emblematic of so many Hadassah women. What began with a single act of engagement evolved into a profound commitment to philanthropy, leadership and purpose,” said Gail Fisher, Hadassah director of development.
Using Her Voice
The woman who was once scared to speak into a microphone eventually found her voice and became a proud Hadassah advocate at both the state and national levels. This year, for example, she took part in Hadassah’s Day on the Hill in Washington, DC. She is also invited each year to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s annual Hanukkah celebration, where she represents Hadassah and its priorities, including combating antisemitism, supporting Israel and advancing women’s health.
Her advocacy reaches back to the movement to support Soviet Jewry. She spoke out on behalf of Jews seeking freedom, later participated in a Hadassah mission to the Soviet Union and helped resettle Soviet Jewish families in New York’s Capital District.
Helping Others Make an Impact
Kivort says her mentors shaped her leadership and how she approaches others.
“My joy in mentoring others started long ago,” she said.
Several women she mentored went on to become region presidents. One wrote to thank her: “You’ve asked me to try things that I never had thought I would do…. Thank you for recognizing my potential and for nurturing and guiding me.”
That same desire to help others see their own potential now extends to philanthropy. Kivort wants other Hadassah members to understand that giving, like leadership, can grow over time.
Kivort’s story shows how a Hadassah journey can begin with a simple “yes.”
“My life has been enriched by the many dear friends I’ve made in Hadassah, by the history I learned, the leadership training and so much more,” she said. “How fortunate am I?”
WATCH: Josie Kivort reconnects with a friend from camp at a Hadassah gathering.
