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They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
At Hadassah, it’s something more. When women follow in their mothers’ and grandmothers’ footsteps, it becomes the sincerest form of philanthropy and giving back.
For many Hadassah members and supporters, commitment to advancing Hadassah’s mission, through whichever avenue they pursue, runs in the family.
The Most Natural and Meaningful Path
“Her example made it clear that Hadassah wasn’t just an organization — it was a calling,” said North Carolina resident Heidi Natan, 56, of her mother, Marcie Natan, 81, of New York City. “So when the time came for me to choose how I’d contribute, following in her footsteps felt like the most natural and meaningful path.”
Hadassah became a full-fledged family operation once Marcie’s Hadassah journey took off almost 60 years ago. “Immersed” in Hadassah since the age of 7, Heidi recalls the family huddled around the fireplace stuffing, stamping and addressing envelopes. “At the time, I was absolutely convinced Hadassah was a circular mailing organization.”
“I watched her pour her heart into every envelope we stuffed, every event she planned and every cause she championed,” Heidi said. “Her dedication wasn’t just inspiring — it was formative.”
Marcie joined a Hadassah study group when Heidi’s sister and brother were very young, but she was already a member when Heidi was born. In Hadassah, she found a place where she was valued as Marcie, not as a mother or wife.
“Although I joined for friendship, it was Hadassah’s commitment to Israel that made it my organization of choice,” said Marcie, a past national president and the immediate past Youth Aliyah chair.
“As her passion grew, so did my understanding of what Hadassah truly represents: healing, empowerment and community,” said Heidi.
In 2018, Heidi took on her first official position of treasurer for the Raleigh-Cary chapter, which became Hadassah of the Triangle, of which she is now president. Based in Apex, North Carolina, she’s also Hadassah Southern Seaboard treasurer and Richmond chapter area vice president.
“Hadassah has always been part of my life, and I stay involved because the work is vital, meaningful and deeply personal,” said Heidi.
Today, Marcie has a new perspective when it comes to Hadassah.
“There is nothing I enjoy more now than being referred to as Heidi’s mother,” she said. Marcie was “thrilled” when Heidi got involved, and “now it is important to me because I believe she is a real asset to the organization.”
Marcie and Heidi share passions: “My mother and I are united in our belief that every child deserves a chance,” said Heidi, describing Youth Aliyah’s mission as one that “speaks to the heart of Hadassah: empowering the vulnerable, nurturing the future and building a better world — one child at a time.”
They’ve even worked together in a Hadassah capacity: “We led a Mothers and Daughters Mission to Israel. It is the first time I truly realized Heidi’s abilities,” said Marcie.
Dearest to My Heart
For Lisa Kanner, it’s memories of greeting cards and certificates, not circulars, that come to mind when reminiscing about Hadassah. Her mother, Fran Gordon of Palm Beach County, Florida, is in charge of these “wares” for her Dorot Bat Gurion chapter.
“I grew up hearing about Hadassah, since my mother and grandmothers were all very involved,” said Lisa.
Though she was made a life member at birth, Lisa, of Rye Brook, New York, took her Hadassah journey in a different direction. She’s currently on staff as deputy general counsel at Hadassah’s headquarters in New York City.
“It is especially meaningful to have the opportunity to contribute professionally to an organization that also holds personal significance to me and my family,” said Lisa.
Lisa’s employment at Hadassah “is a source of great pride,” said Fran. “I belong to many organizations, but Hadassah is the one dearest to my heart.”
Fran’s connection to Hadassah is deep-rooted as well. Her mother and mother-in-law were both life members. Like Fran, her mother was also in charge of cards and certificates.
When Fran was new to Florida in the 1970s, she sought connection with other young Jewish families through Hadassah. “A new local chapter started here, and everyone joined. Most of us became lifelong friends and are still actively engaged.”
Around 1990, during a visit to Hadassah hospitals, Fran reinforced her commitment, resolving to support Hadassah to the fullest extent possible. “My husband, a physician, had several friends with whom he trained who made aliyah and were on the staff at Hadassah hospitals. The innovative research and care at the hospital continue to amaze me.”
A Deep Sense of Purpose and Pride
At only 20, college student Marly Rotenberg of South Natick, Massachusetts, is at least a decade shy of full-on Hadassah engagement. But that didn’t stop her from accompanying her grandmother, Carol Rotenberg of Lawrence, New York, to Hadassah’s 2025 National Conference in Aventura, Florida.
“I thought it would be an interesting opportunity to connect with more Jewish women around the country,” she said.
“Of course, I was thrilled to have her express this interest and excited to have her join me for this important event,” said Carol. “In Florida, she was warmly welcomed by representatives of many regions across the country, making contacts and new friendships along the way.”
Growing up in a Hadassah household and being made a life member by Carol, and with her mother a life member, Marly said, “instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and pride, knowing that I am part of an organization that has built hospitals, trained nurses and saved countless lives.”
Carol is herself part of a five-generation Hadassah family (all life members), growing up embracing a strong Zionist spirit. She’s been carrying on the legacy of her grandmother, one of Hadassah’s first imas (mothers), and her mother, a president of her local Hadassah group.
Carol holds the current portfolio of national co-chair of major gifts and chair of donor experience, and she is a member of the National Assembly and an incoming member of the National Board.
“To be part of an organization of powerful women with shared values and backgrounds, an organization that affects so many disadvantaged in not only lifechanging but also lifesaving ways, is truly an extraordinary experience and rare opportunity,” said Carol.
Marly’s inspired by Hadassah’s knack for always being at the ready. “I really admire how Hadassah doesn’t wait for problems to escalate but actively works to create positive change in health, education, advocacy and social justice. That forward-thinking spirit is something I deeply respect and want to embody in my own life.”
She added, “When I think about my grandmother and her connection to Hadassah’s mission, I see a strong shared passion for being proactive and breaking barriers.”
Marly hopes that one day Hadassah will evolve to be inclusive of people her age. “As a college student today, I am especially aware of how vital it is to continue empowering young people, particularly within the Jewish community.”
A Home for My Love for Israel and Judaism
Cheryl Hanson, 57, of Hadassah Pacific Northwest has known about Hadassah for most of her life. She was made a life member at 15, and she had been involved with Young Judaea both as a child and an adult. But it wasn’t until last year that she jumped in with both feet.
Growing up in Kentucky, she witnessed a vibrant Hadassah group made up of a tight-knit community of women, of which her mom was a part. Of the about 1,500 Jews in Lexington, she said, 15 or so were her mother’s friends from Hadassah — who were also like aunts to her. Her dad was an Associate.
“I saw how it really formed my connection with Israel.”
At the same time, Cheryl had reservations about diving in further, believing Hadassah to be “something for my mom and her friends, not for my generation.”
Then, after October 7, 2023, Cheryl, living in Renton, Washington, saw the local interfaith and interracial communities she’d supported through the years not coming through for her the same way. They were silent, she said, posting things on social media that “broke my heart” and were, suddenly, not supporting Israel and, in some cases, Jews.
“It was important to me to try to find a home for my love for Israel and for Judaism,” she said. “It kind of was time.”
And so she found her home in Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation.
“Everything that I had modeled for her over the years was becoming reality in her life,” said Carole Wilson, 83, Cheryl’s mother. “I knew the opportunities for her growth in a Zionist women's organization were going to be significant. I knew that she would be a good fit.”
Now, Cheryl is building up an Evolve community in Seattle, “pulling in women in their 40s and 50s who are interested in finding that same kind of connection that I was seeking.” In March, she hosted the group’s first event.
“The joy of her being accepted into that program meant the world to me,” said Carole.
Carole didn’t have footsteps to follow. The daughter of two immigrants, she is a first-generation Hadassah leader who got involved in 1975 when she moved to Kentucky from New York. Seven years later, she became president of her chapter and then Hadassah Midwest fundraising chair, membership chair and Young Judaea chair. She was also chair of the Camp Young Judaea Midwest Committee (now Board) for four years beginning in 1995, when Hadassah owned the camp. In 2011, she took a break for personal reasons and moved to Roswell, Georgia, where she still resides.
For her first venture back, Carole attended the 2025 conference with Cheryl, a conference first-timer. She even “crashed” an Evolve program.
The Power of Community
“The Issenberg family have always been ardent Zionists,” said Diane Issenberg, 84, of North Miami Beach, who has been involved with Hadassah since 1968, when her father-in-law pinned her wedding dress with a Hadassah life membership pin.
“My husband’s grandmother, mother, sisters-in-law and cousins were and are members of Hadassah. Therefore, it was only natural that I follow in their footsteps.”
Hadassah has since been “the greater part of my life’s journey,” she said. Her mission? To help advance Hadassah’s. “Hadassah provides me with the opportunity through its mission to change lives.” Currently serving as co-coordinator of Hadassah’s Philanthropy Division, she wants to ensure that Hadassah has a strong foundation for future generations.
Granddaughter Shira Dabush-Kersz, 35, is Diane’s legacy. American-born, Shira moved to Israel at 3, spent her early years there and then returned to the US. She’s now a member of Evolve, actively working to form an Evolve community in Aventura, where she lives.
Growing up, Shira looked forward to grandmother-granddaughter quality time when Diane traveled to Israel with Hadassah. “Looking back now, I realize those visits to Israel represented so much more,” said Shira. “They were part of her lifelong dedication to an organization that empowers women and changes lives. Even as a child, I could sense how passionate she was about Hadassah and the pride she carried in her heart being part of it. That early connection planted the seed for my own involvement later.”
That, and her first summer job at the Hadassah office in Miami, inspired Shira to become more involved. “What keeps me connected to Hadassah today is the sense of legacy, empowerment and community.”
“She truly understands that her involvement will help ensure Hadassah’s future,” said Diane.
Shira and Diane share the belief that Israel has a right to exist and in the cruciality of the Hadassah Medical Organization to save lives. “A country is only as strong as the health of its people,” said Diane. “In addition, Hadassah continues to provide a home and education for children at risk through Youth Aliyah. They are the future citizens of Israel.”
Diane made Shira a Keeper of the Gate (a donor who makes an annual commitment to Hadassah of at least $1,000) at Hadassah’s national conference in 2024. “That moment with my grandmother is something I will cherish forever, and it’s what inspires me to carry her dedication forward more than ever before,” said Shira. At this year’s conference, Shira brought her baby daughter, whom she hopes can “grow up appreciating the power of community, giving back and being part of something meaningful.”
