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Hadassah leaders were proud to represent our 300,000 members, Associates and supporters as part of the largest American delegation in the history of the World Zionist Congress from October 28-30.
Thirty-two Hadassah members and Young Judaeans joined thousands of Jewish leaders and delegates from around the world in Jerusalem for the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) to deliberate and define the direction and leadership of the Zionist movement and allocate funding for programming that affects Israel and world Jewry.
Among the Hadassah leaders present were National President Carol Ann Schwartz, past National President and elected delegate Ellen Hershkin and immediate past National President Rhoda Smolow. They were joined by National Vice Presidents Dana Waxler and Dale Marcus, Education & Advocacy Coordinator Joyce Laiter, Zionist Affairs Chair Frieda Unger Rosenberg, Zionist Affairs Vice Chair Sharon Goretsky, past Zionist Affairs Chair Sue Polansky, National Secretary-elect Marcia Gabrilove Ladin, Hadassah International Chair and elected delegate Carol Rosenthal, Evolve Fellow Eliana Budoff, National Board member and elected delegate Stephanie Bonder, Associate and delegate Allen Laiter, Hadassah Offices in Israel Executive Director Gidon Melmed, Hadassah Israel delegates Esther Serok, Barbara Goldstein, Margalit Ravi, Ann Belinsky, Galila Katzir, Galia Kaspi/Sprung, Roni Kohanim and Sara Levy, Young Judaean delegates Nomi Gedzelman, Rena Kantor, Daniel Schniderman, Guy Israel, Ayelet Finegold, Samuel Krasney, Zoe Ettinger, Jordan Solomon and Shayli Liederman, and Young Judean alternates Nathan Krasney and Ayelet Medjuck-Bruckner.
Hadassah members deliberated resolutions on issues ranging from mental health to education and leadership. Goretsky served on the Resilience and Healing Committee, addressing Israeli trauma and emotional health in light of the challenges of the past two years. “It reinforced for me how deeply Hadassah’s work aligns with these vital priorities: supporting healing, resilience, and hope through our hospitals, programs and advocacy.”
This year’s Congress came at a pivotal moment. With evolving challenges in Israel and the Jewish world, delegates confronted questions of preserving Zionism’s core ideals while ensuring its continued relevance to new generations. “We were proud to be a part of Zionist history,” reflected Bonder about participating in this year’s decisive congress. Delegates across political and religious lines shared their uniting love for Israel and shared responsibility to uphold the Zionist movement.
“To be part of the delegation was inspiring, exciting and so very meaningful for me,” said Rosenberg. “The assembly was a microcosm of Israeli society and world Jewry, which made the deliberations energizing, important and very passionate. It was an honor to represent Hadassah.”
Hadassah’s presence at the table, helping to chart the future of Zionism, serves as a testament to our enduring role as a bridge between Israel and the diaspora. Grounded in a long tradition of women’s leadership and community building, Hadassah delegates stood up for pluralism, democracy and partnership between Israel and the diaspora.
“It's nothing new, but it's worth saying that spending time with like-minded Hadassah women who are passionate, educated and willing to do the work is a bonding experience I will always treasure. So many of my Hadassah mentors guided me through the process,” said Laiter.
Hadassah was energized by the participation of eight Young Judaean delegates, who brought their passion and fresh perspectives to the Congress. Their engagement is crucial in cultivating the next generation of Zionist leaders.
Hadassah continues to urge the Zionist community to advance a pluralistic, inclusive vision of Zionism that is open to all who love Israel and recognize its right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. In ensuring everyone has a voice in the Zionist movement, Hadassah continues to empower women, strengthen communities and bring the global Jewish people together in shared purpose.
What You Can Do:
- Read through Hadassah’s policy statement on pluralism within Zionism
- Learn more about Hadassah’s 18 American Zionist Women, a number of whom were present at the Congress. Stephanie Z. Bonder was a delegate for Hadassah while delegates Adela Cojab and Valeria Chazin and alternates Galia Amram and Esther Panitch represented different parties as well.
